Communication from the Commission to the Council and Parliament  - Cohesion Policy and cities - The urban contribution to growth and jobs in the regions {SEC(2006) 928}
Date: 2006-07-13
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU regional policy, economic and social cohesion, economic development, economic growth, employment policy, town, urban centre

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels, 13.7.2006 
COM(2006) 385 final 

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION 
TO THE COUNCIL AND PARLIAMENT 

Cohesion Policy and cities: the urban contribution to growth and jobs in the regions 

{SEC(2006) 928} 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Sustainable urban development in European Regional Policy 2007 – 2013 ............... 3 

Urban realities: why cities matter ................................................................................ 4 

Attractive cities ............................................................................................................ 4 

Accessibility and mobility............................................................................................ 5 

Access to service facilities ........................................................................................... 5 

Natural and physical environment ............................................................................... 6 

Culture.......................................................................................................................... 6 

Supporting innovation, entrepreneurship and the knowledge economy ...................... 7 

Actions for SMEs and micro-enterprises ..................................................................... 7 

Innovation and the knowledge economy promoting growth........................................ 7 

More and better jobs..................................................................................................... 8 

The Paradox of Cities: many jobs, yet high unemployment ........................................ 8 

Improving employability by raising levels of educational achievement and training . 9 

Disparities within cities................................................................................................ 9 

Promoting social inclusion and equal opportunities .................................................. 10 

Increased security for citizens.................................................................................... 10 

Governance ................................................................................................................ 11 

Cities and regions....................................................................................................... 11 

The integrated approach to sustainable urban development ...................................... 11 

Citizen participation ................................................................................................... 12 

Networks and exchange of experience....................................................................... 13 

Financing urban renewal ............................................................................................ 13 

1. 

2. 

3. 

3.1. 

3.2. 

3.3. 

3.4. 

4. 

4.1. 

4.2. 

5. 

5.1. 

5.2. 

6. 

6.1. 

6.2. 

7. 

7.1. 

7.2. 

7.3. 

7.4. 

8. 

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COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION 
TO THE COUNCIL AND PARLIAMENT 

Cohesion Policy and cities: the urban contribution to growth and jobs in the regions 

1. 

SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN EUROPEAN REGIONAL POLICY 2007 – 2013 

In  line  with  the  objective  fixed  by  the  European  Council  in  March  2005,  the 
European  Commission  has  proposed  to  strengthen  the  contribution  of  cohesion 
policy to growth and jobs in the course of the period 2007-2013. 

The Community Strategic Guidelines 2007-2013 pay particular attention to specific 
needs  of  certain  zones,  such  as  urban  and  rural  areas.  The  guidelines  encourage  an 
“integrated approach” to Cohesion Policy so that it encourages not only growth and 
jobs, but also pursues social and environmental objectives. 

importance  of  urban  questions  has  been  recognised  under  successive 
The 
presidencies  of  the  Union  particularly  at  the  informal  Council  in  Rotterdam  in 
November  2004  and  in  Bristol  in  December  2005  where  this  Communication  was 
presented as a working paper. 

In addition, in its report on the urban dimension in the context of enlargement1, the 
European Parliament welcomed the incorporation of sustainable urban development 
in Cohesion Policy. Parliament also requested that Council ensure the follow up of 
this  measure  in  the  framework  of  the  annual  report  on  the  implementation  of  the 
strategy,  in  line  with  Articles  29  and  30  laying  doing  general  provisions  on  the 
Structural Funds. 

With the present Communication, the Commission seeks to meet these requests. 

The Community Strategic Guidelines define the areas of intervention where it would 
be  appropriate  to  give  a  priority  to  the  preparation  of  Operational  programmes  for 
Cohesion  Policy  for  2007-2013.  This  Communication  stresses  certain  specific 
aspects  of  the  urban  dimension  which  may  be  relevant  in  this  context.  It  is 
complemented  by  a  Commission  staff  working  paper  which  develops  the  analyses 
and  provides  background  to  the  suggestions  for  actions  made  in  the  present 
Communication. 

These  proposals  for  action  are  backed  up  by  statistical  data  (especially  the  Urban 
Audit2) as well as the results registered in the implementation of urban actions in the 
framework of the Structural Funds and other programmes financed by the EU. 

1 

2 

Report  on  the  urban  dimension  in  the  context  of  enlargement,  rapporteur :  Jean  Marie  Beaupuy, 
A6(2005) 0272 of 21.9.2005. 
The Urban Audit is the European Commission’s periodic collection of data on the quality of life in large 
and  medium-sized  cities  across  Europe.  It  currently  covers  258  cities  in  the  EU27  and  it  will  cover 
almost 300 cities in 2006. 

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The policies and actions proposed in this Communication should always be seen in 
the  framework  of  the  institutional  organisation  of  each  Member  State  and  in 
conformity with Community rules on State Aid3. 

The  national  authorities  concerned  are  invited  to  make  use  of  the  present 
Communication  in  their  discussions  with  relevant  partners,  in  particular  local 
authorities and the regions. The proposals for actions cover a large number of areas 
and reflect the possibilities for intervention by the Structural Funds. These can vary 
according to whether the cities belong to the regions benefiting from the convergence 
Objective or regional competitiveness and employment Objective. 

This text uses the concept of "cities" and "urban areas" in a generic sense. 

2. 

URBAN REALITIES: WHY CITIES MATTER 

The European Union will pursue its objectives of growth and jobs more successfully 
if  all  regions  are  able  to  play  their  part.  Cities  are  particularly  important  in  this 
context. 

Cities are home to most jobs, firms and institutes of higher education and their action 
is  decisive  in  bringing  about  social  cohesion.  Cities  are  home  to  change  based  on 
innovation, spirit of enterprise and economic growth. 

Economic  growth  is  sustainable  when  it  is  accompanied  by  measures  designed  to 
reduce  poverty,  social  exclusion  and  environmental  problems.  The  question  of  the 
sustainable  character  of  growth  is  particularly  important  in  cities  most  exposed  to 
problems of social exclusion, deterioration of the environment, wastelands and urban 
sprawl.  Cities  can  register  significant  differences 
in  economic  and  social 
perspectives.  There  may  be  spatial  inequalities  (between  neighbourhoods)  or  social 
inequalities  (between  different  groups).  Frequently,  disparities 
include  both 
dimensions.  The  quality  of  the  urban  environment  may  also  constitute  a  factor  of 
attractiveness. 

Europe  is  characterised  by  a  polycentric  structure  of  small,  medium-size  and  large 
towns. Many of them form metropolitan areas while many others constitute the only 
urban centre in the region. 

3. 

ATTRACTIVE CITIES 

European cities attract investment and jobs. They have many tools at their disposal to 
strengthen their attractiveness. The proposals of the Commission for Cohesion Policy 
contain many elements able to support these initiatives.  

The challenges to be met vary from one city to the next. Some cities have to solve 
the  problems  caused  by  population  growth,  increase  in  property  prices,  lack  of 

3 

See  in  particular  Commission  staff  working  paper  « State  aid  control  and  regeneration  of  deprived 
areas », 1.03.2006 : http://europa.eu.int/comm/competition/state_aid/others/vademecum.pdf 

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available  land,  traffic  congestion,  and  overstretched  public  services.  Other  cities 
suffer from population loss, dereliction, too few jobs or low quality of life. 

At least four key issues require attention: transport, accessibility and mobility; access 
to services and amenities; the natural and physical environment; the cultural sector. 

3.1. 

Accessibility and mobility 

Guidelines for action include: 

–  Sustainable  urban  mobility  means  making  the  best  use  of  all  the  transport  infrastructure, 
co-ordination between the various transport modes and the promotion of the least polluting 
modes. 

–  Cities in peripheral locations need good links to major airports and to the major axes of the 
Trans-European Transport Networks (TENs). For example, air accessibility is a particular 
issue in many new Member State capitals. 

–  Successful  management  of  urban  transport  often  requires  the  city  and  its  surrounding 
region  to  coordinate  transport  planning,  construction  and  land-use.  New  projects  should 
form  part  of  an  integrated  transport  strategy  for  the  urban  area.  Issues  considered  should 
include  road  safety  and  other  public  health  concerns,  including  noise  reduction  and  air 
quality. 

–  It is important to improve the affordability, efficiency and effectiveness of public transport, 
as well as linking the different transport modes. An issue for public transport in many cities 
is the need to reduce criminal behaviour and improve the safety of employees and users. 

–  Cities  should,  as  part  of  an  integrated  approach  and  where  possible,  promote  the  use  of 
cycling, walking and other alternative and “soft” forms of transport. This includes: demand 
management, regulated access to or even the pedestrianisation of the city’s sensitive zones; 
the construction of cycle and pedestrian paths; encouragement of energy efficient vehicles 
and alternative transport fuels, such as biofuels. 

–  Transport planning should take account of those without cars or those unable to drive (e.g. 
older  people,  young  people  and  those  with  mobility  impairments).  The  goal  is  to  ensure 
access  to  jobs  and  services  (healthcare,  shopping)  and  to  facilitate  personal  autonomy 
without reliance on the private car. 

3.2. 

Access to service facilities 

Guidelines for action include : 

–  A competitive city needs to invest in modern, efficient and affordable services with easy 
online  access.  Key  services  include  healthcare,  social  services,  training  and  public 
administration. These services must develop and adapt to current and future demographic 
changes, especially the aging population. 

–  One  specific  issue  is  the  provision  of  childcare  so  that  carers  can  participate  in  work  or 

training. This is of particular importance in promoting gender equality. 

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–  It  is  important  to  ensure  that  citizens  from  deprived  areas  have  access  to  services.  An 

innovative solution is to create a citywide amenity in such an area. 

–  Moreover,  certain  groups  may  need  help  in  accessing  healthcare  and  social  services. 
Immigrant  and  disadvantaged  populations  may  suffer  from  particular  health  and  social 
service  problems.  They  may  also  face  barriers  in  accessing  these  services.  An  increased 
participation of persons with different backgrounds and of different ages, in the planning 
and  delivery  of  these  services  should  help  prevent  discrimination  and  ensure  that  the 
services take account of cultural barriers. 

–  Cities can use new technology to bring innovative and effective solutions to public services 

such as health, administration and training. 

3.3. 

Natural and physical environment 

Accordingly, the guidelines for action are: 

–  Rehabilitation of derelict brownfield sites and renovation of public spaces. This improves 

local services and the local area, as well as avoiding the use of greenfield sites. 

–  Co-ordination of land use policies and Structural and Cohesion Fund investments between 
urban  areas,  rural  areas,  the  region  and  the  national  level  to  manage  urban  sprawl. 
Initiatives to make urban areas and city centres attractive places to live. 

–  Investments  to  achieve  compliance  with  EU  laws  on  air  quality,  waste-water  treatment, 

waste management, water supply and environmental noise. 

–  Active management of congestion, transport demand and public transport networks, with a 
view to improving air quality, reducing noise and encouraging physical activity. This is in 
line with the thematic strategy for the urban environment, set out in the 6th environmental 
framework programme4. 

–  Effective  energy  use  in  urban  areas  requires  coherent  investments  and  economical 
management of energy resources. Municipal authorities have an important role to play in 
the promotion of energy efficiency and renewable energies: in urban planning, municipal 
regulations and public procurement; by setting an example of and encouraging sustainable 
construction practices; by working with citizens. 

3.4. 

Culture 

Guidelines for action include: 

–  Cities – through a sustainable cultural policy - should promote a vibrant culture, based on 
the  availability  of  facilities  such  as  cultural  and  scientific  centres,  historic  quarters, 
museums,  libraries  and  the  preservation  of  the  architectural  and  cultural  heritage.  These 
facilities, along with a programme of cultural activities, including for young people, make 
the  city  more  attractive  to  citizens,  businesses,  workers  (especially  mobile  and  highly 
qualified  workers)  and  visitors,  and  strengthens  the  image  of  the  city,  local  pride  and 
identity. Moreover, culture – and cultural tourism - is in itself a rapidly growing industry. 

4 

COM(2005) 718 of 11.1.2006. 

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–  An active cultural policy is a valuable tool for building bridges between communities and 

fostering the integration of immigrants and other newcomers to the city. 

4. 

SUPPORTING INNOVATION, ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND THE KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY 

Cities  often  naturally  provide  a  stimulating  environment  for  innovation  and 
businesses  to  flourish  and  there  are  steps  they  can  take  to  further  foster  this 
environment.  The  added  value  of  city-level  actions  is  that  they  have  more 
information on the specificities of the business environment and are able to carry out 
smaller scale complex actions tackling multiple interlinked problems. 

4.1. 

Actions for SMEs and micro-enterprises 

Guidelines for action include: 

–  Promotion of business requires improvements to the economic infrastructure. This includes 
transport  and  accessibility  to  be  integrated  with  regeneration  and  renewal  of  buildings, 
business parks and incubators, commercial centres. 

–  Providing  advice  and  support  services  to  business,  including  social  enterprises.  This 
includes  assistance  in  the  adoption  and  efficient  use  of  new  technologies,  science  parks, 
ICT  communication  centres  and  incubators.  It  also  includes  support  and  coaching  in  the 
areas of management, marketing, technical support, recruitment, and other professional and 
commercial services. 

–  The  promotion  of  systems  of  cooperation  between  local  partners  –  including  business, 
trade  unions,  universities,  NGOs,  training  institutes  and  the  local  community.  New 
mechanisms for sharing knowledge and experience are helped by the existence of support 
networks.  Organising  workshops,  networks  and  exhibitions  is  a  good  way  of  helping 
potential partners meet. 

–  Improving access to finance. In particular, partnerships between local authorities, funders, 
service providers and SMEs facilitate the bringing together of financial and non-financial 
instruments,  to  meet  local  needs.  Packages  may  consist  of  grants;  micro  credit  schemes; 
guarantee funds for sharing high risks; mezzanine funds, advice and training. Cities can be 
important  initiators  in  this  field  in  coordination  with  regional  and  national  financial 
initiatives. 

–  Outreach  to  specific  groups,  such  as  young  or  female  entrepreneurs  or  those  from 
disadvantaged  groups,  including  ethnic  minorities.  Access  to  finance  can  be  a  particular 
issue in deprived areas - public authorities and NGOs can play the role of facilitators, for 
example by guaranteeing the quality of projects. 

4.2. 

Innovation and the knowledge economy promoting growth 

Guidelines for action include: 

–  Cities should attract and retain knowledge workers and, more generally, an important share 
of tertiary educated residents. A key input to choice is the attractiveness of a city in terms 
of transport, services, environment and culture. 

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–  Cities should take a leading role in preparing an innovation strategy for the broader region. 
They  may  also,  where  appropriate,  take  the  initiative  to  support  or  undertake  their  own 
research. 

–  Cities are encouraged to be involved in European R&D activities (FP7) and should support 

the introduction of technological innovations. 

–  Cities should work to make regional RTD innovation and education supply more efficient 

and accessible to local firms, in particular SMEs and social enterprises. 

–  Cities  can  stimulate  and  co-ordinate  partnerships  and  clusters  of  excellence  with 
universities  and  other  institutions  of  higher  education,  creating  business  incubators,  joint 
ventures and science parks. 

–  Cities are encouraged to develop an integrated and balanced information society strategy. 
The  aim  being  to  tackle  the  digital  divide,  in  line  with  the  objectives  of  the  new  i20105 
initiative  (in  eGovernment,  eBusiness,  e-Learning,  digital  literacy,  e-inclusion  and  e-
accessibility) as well as with regional and national information society strategies. 

–  Cities  should  support  early  adoption  of  eco-innovations  and  environmental  management 
systems6. Investing in this area now will give European businesses the opportunity to build 
a leading position in a future growth sector. 

5. 

MORE AND BETTER JOBS 

5.1. 

The Paradox of Cities: many jobs, yet high unemployment 

The paradox is that cities concentrate both needs and opportunities. Highly qualified 
people are over-represented in cities, so are those with very low skills and levels of 
qualifications. 

The guidelines for action are: 

–  The Structural Funds can in the framework of the convergence Objective support actions to 
strengthen  institutional  capacity  efficiency  at  local  and  regional  level  and  particularly  in 
the  provision  of  public  and  administrative  services.  In  particular  they  can  encourage  the 
improvement of their capacities for analysis and action for example, cities should be able 
to  use  the  systems  and  tools  of  analysis  necessary  for  anticipating  economic  and  social 
changes which will take base at local and regional level. They should also take measures to 
improve  the  efficiency  of  the  administration  with  one-stop  desk  and  regrouping  different 
services.  

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"i2010: An information society for growth and jobs", COM(2005) 229 of 1.6.2005. 
This is an area with a clear link to the Framework Programme for Competitiveness and Innovation. 

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–  Action to create jobs and fight unemployment needs to be taken at the local level with the 

help of regions and Member States. 

–  Cities  should  build  on  their  strengths.  Notably,  they  can  create  partnerships  and 
employment and innovation pacts, bringing together key players within an area – elected 
representatives,  business  leaders,  NGOs,  interest  groups  and  universities  –  to  engage  in 
positive and dynamic social and economic development. 

–  Cities should tackle their weaknesses, boosting employability among those groups within 
the  population  which  find  it  hardest  to  access  employment  e.g.  women,  young  people, 
older  workers,  ethnic  minorities,  the  long  term  unemployed,  the  homeless  and  the 
handicapped. 

5.2. 

Improving  employability  by  raising  levels  of  educational  achievement  and 
training 

Guidelines for action include: 

–  Cities  can  support  education  and  training  in  many  ways,  such  as  supporting  the 
development  of  coherent  and  comprehensive  lifelong  learning  strategies,  a  better 
recognition and valorisation of non-formal and informal education, investing in attractive, 
accessible  and  high  quality  training  provision  at  various  levels,  supporting  the 
modernisation  of  systems  (including  modular  and  scalable  ICT  training  and  eLearning 
schemes),  promoting  the  quality  and  attractiveness  of  vocational  training,  and  improving 
investment in the learning infrastructure. 

–  Cities can target support at those groups which disproportionately suffer disadvantages in 
the labour market (e.g. early school leavers, low-skilled young people, older workers and 
certain groups of immigrants and ethnic minorities). 

–  To  be  competitive,  cities  need  to  attract  and  support  people  with  a  variety  of  skills. 
Workers  in  support  services  –  including  retail,  hospitality,  cleaning  and  construction  – 
have a role to play. 

–  Local authorities need to offer ‘finely tuned’ training and integration programmes, which 
offer  routes  back  into  employment,  as  well  as  entrepreneurship.  The  long-term 
unemployed  require  specific  support.  Comprehensive  ‘re-engagement’  packages  are 
needed,  covering  work  experience,  training  and  confidence  building  with  flexible 
arrangements for on the job training with local employers. 

6. 

DISPARITIES WITHIN CITIES 

The  urban  paradox  is  also  reflected  in  disparities  between  neighbourhoods.  The 
Urban Audit shows that almost all cities where unemployment is at a level of 10% or 
higher,  have certain areas within which unemployment rates are at least double the 
city average. In some cases, unemployment rates reach up to 60%. 

Within  such  deprived  neighbourhoods,  high  unemployment  is  compounded  by 
multiple deprivations in terms of poor housing, poor environment, poor health, poor 
education, few job opportunities and high crime rates. 

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6.1. 

Promoting social inclusion and equal opportunities7 

Guidelines for promoting social inclusion include : 

–  Actions  for  breaking-up  of  patterns  of  segregation  and  the  integration  of  migrants, 
including  language  and  more  general  training.  It  is  essential  to  involve  the  target 
community in planning and providing such training. The inclusion of immigrant women in 
training actions is one of the keys to successful integration. 

–  Co-operation  between  city  authorities,  schools  and  the  local  community  in  providing 
training  for  young  people.  Moreover,  some  cities  have  had  very  positive  experiences  in 
including young people in the conception and delivery of such programmes8. 

–  The  improvement  of  social  services  to  rise to  the  challenge  of  child  poverty  and  prevent 

the emergence of street children in European cities. 

–  Measures  to  raise  women's  skills  and  qualifications,  facilitating  their  return  to  the  labour 
market  after  periods  of  absence,  supporting  single  mothers  and  other  women  (including 
those  from  ethnic  minorities)  facing  labour  market  obstacles,  and  also  giving  the 
opportunity  to  obtain  knowledge  and  qualifications  regarding  entrepreneurship  and  self-
employment. Specific training and encouragement is of particular benefit to women. 

–  The provision of childcare facilities for women returning to the labour market. 

6.2. 

Increased security for citizens 

The guidelines for action are as follows: 

–  Cities should adopt a joined-up and proactive approach to local crime reduction policies. 
For example, by improving the planning, design and maintenance of public spaces, cities 
can “plan out” crime, helping to create attractive streets, parks and open spaces which are 
safe  and  feel  safe.  Such  planning  requires  quality  information  and  statistics  (including 
victimization surveys) to enable better targeting of policy. 

–  Focus on “youth at risk”. It is particularly important to catch young would-be criminals at 
an early stage in their “career”. This includes strategies to reduce truancy and offer other 
career options, such as vocational training opportunities. 

–  Creation  and  “professionalisation”  of  local  safety-related  jobs,  co-operation  between 
security services, involvement of local residents in a meaningful and sustainable way. This 
includes the creation of local mediators, community safety officers and street wardens who 
have  emerged  as  key  figures  in  tackling  local  crime  in  many  cities.  Improved  and 
recognised  training  is  a  key  here.  It  also  includes  neighbourhood  watch  schemes  and 
projects to bring the police closer to local communities. 

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8 

“2007: European year of equal opportunities for all: towards a fair society”, COM(2005) 225 final of 
1.6.2005. 
These experiences have been shared in the youth forums of the URBACT network. 
Website: http://urbact.eu 

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7. 

GOVERNANCE 

7.1. 

Cities and regions 

What  is  required  is  flexible  co-operation  between  the  different  territorial  levels. 
Cities must find forms of governance which respect the institutional organisation of 
each Member State and which are able to manage all aspects of urban development. 

Guidelines for action: 

–  Develop  partnerships  between  cities,  regions  and  the  state,  within  the  framework  of  an 

integrated and coherent approach to urban development. 

–  To rise to the challenge of global competition, it will often be necessary for European cities 
to  elaborate  strategies  co-ordinated  at  the  level  of  agglomerations  or  urban  networks  in 
order to achieve critical mass. 

–  Management  of  the  urban-rural  interface.  This  means  co-ordination  between  urban 
authorities (both central and suburban) on the one hand and rural and regional authorities 
on  the  other.  Both  because  urban  areas  provide  a  service  to  the  wider  region  in  terms  of 
employment, public services, public spaces, social centres, sport and cultural facilities; and 
because  in  a  similar  way,  rural  areas  provide  services  to  wider  society  through  the 
provision  of  rural  amenities,  recreational  opportunities  and  environmental  goods  as 
reservoirs of natural resources and highly valued landscapes. Coordination  is  particularly 
important in peri-urban areas. 

–  Cities can make use of technical assistance from the Structural Funds. Cities need help in 
building  and  maintaining  the  relevant  chain  of  skills  to  tackle  all  the  aspects  of  urban 
development. Increasingly, Member States and the European Union are offering skills and 
resource centres as well as the opportunities to network and exchange experiences. Skills 
in new areas – often working across traditional professional boundaries – are particularly 
important9. 

–  In conformity with the General Regulation on Structural Funds10, the Member States have 
the possibility of delegating to cities funds addressing urban issues within Structural Fund 
Operational Programmes. To get the full benefits of partnership, cities must be responsible 
throughout the process. This includes responsibility for the design and implementation of 
the subdelegated portion of the programme. 

7.2. 

The integrated approach to sustainable urban development 

Urban development is a complex and long term process. Cities should integrate this 
development  in  a  long  term  perspective  in  order  to  maximise  the  many  factors  of 
success. 

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10 

The  “Bristol  accord”  (informal  ministerial  on  sustainable  communities)  of  6-7  December  2005 
approved  the  UK  presidency  initiative  for  reflection  and  a  symposium  on  the  skills  necessary  to 
promote sustainable communities. 
Regulation laying down general provisions on the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the 
European Social Fund (ESF) and the Cohesion Fund, article 37(6) a)  

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The success of the URBAN Community Initiative11 is in no small measure due to the 
integrated  approach.  URBAN  has  targeted  social  and  economic  cohesion  removing 
barriers  to  employability  and  investment  at  the  same  time  as  promoting  social  and 
environmental  goals.  The  mobilisation  of  a  broad  range  of  partners  with  different 
skills has underpinned this approach. 

Guidelines for action include: 

–  Cities  should  have  a  long  term,  consistent  plan  for  all  the  different  factors  promoting 
sustainable  growth  and  jobs  in  urban  areas.  Actions  in  one  field  must  be  consistent  with 
those  in  another.  Notably,  economic  measures  must  be  sustainable  in  social  and 
environmental  terms.  Monitoring  and  evaluation  systems  should  be  in  place  to  verify 
results on the ground. 

–  The key partners – the private sector, the community and NGOs, as well as local, regional 
and  national  government  –  should  be  mobilised  in  the  planning,  implementation  and 
evaluation of urban development. 

7.3. 

Citizen participation 

Citizen participation is a democratic imperative - the engagement of local residents 
and civil society in urban policy can give legitimacy and effectiveness to government 
actions. 

Because of the different historical, legal, political and social contexts in different cities, good 
practices  do  not  always  translate  directly  from  one  city  to  another.  Nevertheless,  guidelines 
include: 

–  It is important to involve local citizens, in particular young people, community groups and 
other  NGOs  in  promoting  environmentally  and  socially  sustainable  growth  and  jobs  in 
cities. These actors bring new competences as well as promoting project legitimacy in the 
eyes of the community. 

–  A key common feature of successful citizen involvement is the availability of training and 
other forms of building the capacity and competence of local groups. e- government also 
has a role to play. 

–  There is a need to reduce the gap between “citizen time” and “political time” – actors from 
the  local  community  often  have  difficulty  understanding  the  delays  induced  by  political 
and bureaucratic processes. 

11 

The  Community  Initiative  URBAN  II  (2000-2006):  Communication  from  the  Commission  to  the 
Member  States  of  28  April  2000  laying  down  guidelines  for  a  Community  initiative  concerning 
economic  and  social  regeneration  of  cities  and  of  neighbourhoods  in  crisis  in  order  to  promote 
sustainable urban development (URBAN II), C(2000) 1100 of 28.4.2000. 

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7.4. 

Networks and exchange of experience 

Accordingly, the guidelines for action are: 

–  Skills  and  knowledge  are  an  important  precondition  for  urban  regeneration.  Successful 
solutions  often  require  specific  competences,  including  cooperation  across  administrative 
or professional boundaries. Cities should therefore make use of the knowledge gained and 
collected under URBACT12 as well as other European and national networks. 

–  For  the  period  2007-2013,  the  Commission  is  proposing  a  European  framework 
programme  for  the  exchange  of  experience  and  good  practice.  This  will  build  on  and 
extend  the  work  of  URBACT,  which  has  so  far  concentrated  on  the  experience  of  cities 
covered  by  the  URBAN  Community  Initiative.  The  new  framework  programme  would 
extend  URBACT  to  cover  cities  in  all  Member  States  as  well  as  the  experience  gained 
under national networks and resource centres for urban policy. 

8. 

FINANCING URBAN RENEWAL 

Urban renewal has been extensively supported by the EU Structural Funds.  

In  the  framework  of  the  new  regulations  for  the  European  Regional  Development 
Fund (ERDF), the Cohesion Fund and the European Social Fund (ESF) the managing 
authorities of operational programmes will be able to finance a wide range of urban 
development  projects.  Urban  development  may  also  be  supported  by  the  Initiatives 
JASPERS13,  JEREMIE14  and  JESSICA15.  This  will  allow  for  an  increase  in  the 
leverage of public resources by attracting contributions from the private sector. 

Guidelines for further action include: 

–  Private  financing  is  useful  and  often  necessary  to  complement  public  resources.  A  clear 

legal framework must underpin the setting up of public-private partnerships. 

–  The private sector brings not just money but complementary skills and competences. 

–  An effective public-private partnership requires both a strategic and long term vision and 

technical and management competences on the part of local authorities. 

12 

13 
14 
15 

URBACT was created early in 2003 to organise exchanges among cities receiving assistance under the 
URBAN Programme, to draw lessons from implemented projects, and to disseminate such knowledge 
and  know-how  as  widely  as  possible.  Since  1  May  2004,  cities  in  the  10  new  Member  States  have 
become eligible to participate in the URBACT Programme. Website: http://urbact.eu 
General Regulation, articles 36 and 45 (1) a) 
General Regulation, articles 44 and 45 (1) c) 
General Regulation, articles 44 and 78 (6) a) 

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