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Eurocities flash 109 sep11
1. N° 109
EUROCITIES FLASH
Sept 2011
an information service for EUROCITIES members
Make it Genoa in 2011 Cities in the running for
A EUROCITIES awards
s economic
uncertainty
continues it
is timely that The shortlist for this year’s EUROCITIES awards is out! We
the EUROCITIES annual received over 50 entries from cities seeking to showcase
conference should their projects. The network’s annual competition recognises
be addressing a key outstanding achievements by members in delivering local
dimension of economic activities which improve the quality of life for citizens.
recovery: people.
The awards are judged in the context of the theme of
People, not buildings, make cities. It is the the EUROCITIES annual conference, which this year will
dynamic interconnection between people focus on ‘planning for people’. Cities submit entries in three
that creates enterprise, wealth, innovation. categories: innovation, cooperation and participation. An
Yet too often this ‘people’ side of urban independent jury has shortlisted the following projects:
regeneration is neglected. Because it is
easier to see the results of our investment Innovation
Berlin: ‘Grasping Berlin - shaping Berlin’
in physical change we focus more on Nice Cote d'Azur: ‘One ticket, one tariff, one territory’
‘place’: on infrastructure, architecture and Rotterdam: ‘Do-it-yourself- houses in Rotterdam'
space.
Cooperation
But transforming our cities is not just about Bydgoszcz: ‘The Mill Island - revitalisation with cooperation of various stakeholders’
Dortmund: ‘Phoenix Dortmund - integrating urban redevelopment with an intense
building a new urban fabric. Even the most cooperative quality’
prosperous and successful cities confront Stockholm: ‘The invest in Järva programme’
a wide spectrum of social inequality. The
challenge for city mayors is constantly to Participation
manage this ‘people’ agenda, promoting Frankfurt am Main – ‘Sustainable and energetic reconstruction of the residential area
social mobility and cohesion, creating Heinrich-Lübke-Siedlung’
opportunity, improving well-being. Lisbon: ‘Todos - caminhada de culturas - everybody - a walk of cultures’
Zaragoza: ‘Esto no es un solar - this is not a plot’
The opening address at EUROCITIES 2011
Genoa will be given by renowned Genoese Details of the shortlisted projects and the jury members are available on the
architect-planner, Renzo Piano, who has conference website. The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony at the
worked closely with the city council over Acquario de Genoa on Wednesday, 2 November, during EUROCITIES 2011 Genoa.
many years on urban renaissance. Piano
will set the scene for us to explore the
EUROCITIES 2011 Genoa: www.eurocities2011.eu
social dimension of urban transformation
through the testimony of EUROCITIES Nicola Vatthauer, communications director: nicola.vatthauer@eurocities.eu
mayors in a panel discussion, and through
visits around the city.
The private political session, the Mayors’
Also in this issue
Debate, will continue the social theme.
Genoa is on a migration frontline. Simplify state aid for local authorities 3
Managing these flows is a massive
challenge, for Mediterranean gateways as Local practitioners help shape new EGTC 4
well as for northern European destination
cities. The Mayors’ Debate allows for a
candid exchange on these difficult issues, New funding for creative industries 5
including the role of European Union.
Towards a single market for services 6
EUROCITIES 2011 Genoa promises highly
relevant and constructive exchanges.
Marking 25 years of EUROCITIES, there will More action on urban environment 7
also be some celebration in the mix. One
not to miss! Open innovation in Eindhoven 8
Smart mobility for smart cities 9
Cities central to promoting healthy habits in old age 10
Modern mobility in a historic city 11
Paul Bevan
Secretary general, EUROCITIES
Intelligent Cities Expo – member discount! 12
2. highlights
Europe 2020 depends on bigger role for cities in the ESF
W
e believe that the success of the Europe 2020 strategy, „ involving cities in ESF
the EU’s plan for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth monitoring and evaluation;
for the next decade, depends upon the full support
„ simplifying rules, reducing
and involvement of cities in the European Social Fund
bureaucracy; and
(ESF). EUROCITIES has issued a position paper with clear policy
recommendations on how to ensure cities get better access to ESF „ increasing European
funding programmes to help build an employed, skilled and inclusive Commission engagement with
Europe. cities.
The paper builds on our European Social Fund statement of April Better integration between the
and recommends: ESF and the European Regional
Development Fund (ERDF) would help simplify and coordinate the
„ an enhanced role for cities in the ESF; process of cities’ physical, economic and social development. Cities are
already making a positive contribution to Europe 2020 and the ESF
„ strengthening the ESF’s social dimension;
objectives of fighting unemployment, poverty and social exclusion, but
„ creating a dedicated instrument for social innovation; much is left to do
„ improving ESF and ERDF coordination for territorial cohesion;
More information: www.inclusivecities.eu
„ promoting transnational cooperation among cities;
Silvia Ganzerla, senior policy officer – social affairs: silvia.ganzerla@eurocities.eu
Staff news
Giulia Campodonico takes on Hajar El Rhouati will replace Susana Forjan will move Alessandra Fiorenza is
a new role at EUROCITIES. She Wendy Vermeiren as EUROCITIES within the EUROCITIES projects replacing Mélanie Leroy as
leaves her current position as accountant during her maternity team, leaving her current role project officer – mobility
programme officer - finance & leave from September to as projects assistant to replace management during her
administration for PROGRESS to December 2011. Michele Corbetta as project maternity leave, and will stay
become project officer working officer – social affairs from 3 with EUROCITIES until January
on the new NiCE (Networking October. 2012. From November 2011,
intelligent Cities for Energy Mélanie and Alessandra will
Efficiency) project, which began share responsibilities.
on 1 September.
New look Flash! Open days, open doors
You’ll notice some changes to this
month’s edition. With much positive
‘City news’ is dedicated to news from
you, our members. Every month we
Brussels | 12 October 2011
feedback from members on the value of will feature a good practice case study EUROCITIES
Flash as an information tool, we have taken and news from member cities like this will host an ‘open
the opportunity to give the newsletter a month’s, on Barcelona’s new innovation doors’ afternoon
makeover. incubator. We invite you to send us your on Wednesday
contributions. 12 October from
One of the most striking elements is the 14:00 to 17:00.If
new, sleeker appearance and an improved The events page now includes you are in Brussels
use of space. The front page gives a taster
of what’s inside, and colour-coded squares space to highlight events from for the Open
Days 2011, feel free to drop by our office
allow for easy navigation between sections. EUROCITIES or partner for a coffee and a chat with the EUROCITIES
The ‘key developments’ pages have
become ‘highlights’ and will continue to organisations. team of staff. If you want to meet someone
specifically, please contact that person in
showcase policy developments, events and advance to arrange a time.
EUROCITIES news. The ‘projects’ section has We hope you enjoy this and future
been incorporated into the other thematic editions. We’d like to hear your feedback!
pages, leaving space for a new ‘city news’
page.
Nicola Vatthauer, communications director:
Rose Montgomery, communications assistant: rose.montgomery@eurocities.eu nicola.vatthauer@eurocities.eu
2 Flash 109 September 2011
3. highlights
Simplify state aid for local authorities, says EUROCITIES
T he European Commission will at the end of this year revise
the state aid package for public services. This revision is an
opportunity to simplify rules for local and regional authorities
by keeping administrative, legal and financial burdens to a
minimum. This is all the more important given the financial pressures
the public sector currently faces and the need for a smarter use of
„
„
are simplified and more
proportionate to the nature
and size of local public
services;
are more flexible so that
local authorities, best placed
human resources.
to understand the needs of
European legislation should support European cities citizens, can choose the most
appropriate form of service
in their role as promoters of economic and social provision;
innovation. „ secure the legal framework
needed for the provision of
Cities frequently adapt and modernise their services, to help prevent high quality public services.
social polarisation and exclusion, and to promote health, well-being,
participation and diversity We also suggest that the
European Commission should
In its statement published at the end of July 2011, EUROCITIES run a training session in all EU
recommends that the new state aid rules: languages on how to deal with the new state aid rules. An explanatory
‘toolbox’ aimed at local and regional authorities would also help
„ are complementary to public procurement rules; clarify the laws applicable to the various forms of public service
provision, ranging from direct provision to public procurement
Marie Ranty, policy officer – economic development: marie.ranty@eurocities.eu
New information tool for EUROCITIES Calling young city leaders!
We have produced a short video introduction to ICLEI (Local
EUROCITIES, which can be viewed on our YouTube channel Governments for
‘TheEUROCITIESnetwork’. Sustainability)
is launching its
The video provides succinct information on who we are and what FutureCityLeaders programme, aimed at council members and
we do; feel free use it and share it with anyone you think might be mayors between the age of 18 and 35. The initiative offers a two
interested! year capacity-building programme for 21 young politicians, which
continues after completion with an alumni network to ensure
continuous knowledge sharing. To find out more or to apply,
please visit the website below before 30 September 2011.
Video: tinyurl.com/43rkfoe
Sinead Mullins, communications executive: sinead.mullins@eurocities.eu FutureCityLeaders: www.iclei.org/futurecity
Meeting in Brussels? New members and partners join EUROCITIES
EUROCITIES offers meeting rooms in an ideal EUROCITIES welcomes the following members and partners to the network:
location, a stone’s throw from the European
„ Yerevan (AM) as a new associate member;
institutions, with special prices for EUROCITES
members. „ Almere (NL), Fuenlabrada (ES) and Linkoping (SE) as associated partners in the
economic development forum, and GDF Suez as associated business partner in
„ capacity up to 75 people the same forum.
„ catering services „ Umea (SE), Brest (FR) and Derry (UK) as associated partners in the culture
„ interpretation booths forum.
„ projection facilities „ Umea and Netwerkstad Twente (NL) as associated partner in the environment
forum.
„ complimentary WiFi
„ The National Association of Designers (RU) as associated partner in the
„ special conditions on request mobility forum.
„ half day rentals accepted These members are already actively participating in the network, and will be
formally approved at the AGM in November.
Contact and reservation - Olivier Baeselen, finance,
HR and office manager: +32 (0) 2 552 08 82 / Jean-Pierre Ernotte, personal assistant to secretary general & member relations:
meetingrooms@eurocities.eu jean-pierre.ernotte@eurocities.eu
Flash 109 September 2011 3
4. cooperation
Local practitioners help shape new EGTC
A
new report published last month has reviewed the to gather knowledge and make
European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC), amendments suggested by local
taking into account the suggestions and experiences of practitioners. Back in January,
local practitioners. The next step will be the publication by the EUROCITIES working group
the Commission of an amending regulation due in October on governance organised a
as part of the cohesion policy package of regulations. seminar on the EGTC, attended
by representatives from the
First outlined in 2006, the EGTC is a legal instrument for territorial Commission and Committee of the
cooperation. The EGTC allows local authorities from different Regions. Members of the working
member states to join forces under its umbrella, creating a public group, highlighted practical
body with full legal power. For example, a city, X and a region, Y obstacles to the smooth running
from two different member states can come together to form EGTC of an EGTC, such as EGTC employment contracts or the flexibility to
XY. This EGTC is a shared public body for which they can employ amend EGTC statutes. These points, amongst others, feature in the
staff, sign contracts in one name, and confront common challenges. latest report from the Commission
Often, cross-border territories will choose to deal with common
transport issues together through an EGTC; using it to create a
shared transport network which will meet the needs of citizens on
either side of the border. More information: tinyurl.com/42nkahv and tinyurl.com/3pcye2z
A test phase from 2006 to 2011, during which 16 EGTCs were set Soraya Zanardo, policy assistant – coordination & governance:
up and a further 21 are in the pipeline, has allowed the Commission soraya.zanardo@eurocities.eu
Ambitious urban research programme
Governance in city branding
Lyon | 23-24 September 2011
Austria, Denmark, Finland, France,
Germany, Ireland, Italy, Malta,
the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland and Turkey have joined well as options for addressing future
forces on research into common challenges.
urban challenges by establishing a
EUROCITIES holds a seat in a newly
Joint Programming Initiative (JPI) -
established Urban Europe Forum,
Urban Europe. The programme will
which is an informal gathering of
focus on four themes:
relevant stakeholders that will advise
„ transforming urban areas to the JPI’s management board on
centres of innovation and the programme’s strategic research
technology priorities.
„ eco-friendly and intelligent urban The two lead partners, Austria
transport and logistic systems and the Netherlands, have the clear
ambition for the programme to
„ social cohesion and integration The next meeting of the EUROCITIES branding
become the biggest urban-focused
research programme in the EU. Details management and city attractiveness working group,
„ reducing the ecological footprint
around the future financing of the taking place in Lyon, will focus on governance
and enhance climate neutrality
initiative remain to be clarified as well and financial factors in city branding and decision-
Set up in September 2010, the as its links with related EU funding making processes. Lyon will present its ‘Only Lyon’
programme is now moving into its programmes on research, innovation brand as a case study, while other cities will have the
pilot implementation phase, running and urban matters. opportunity to share their own schemes during the
until December 2013. The aim is to workshops. Please register as soon as possible.
analyse topics that are relevant for
long-term urban development with
a time horizon of 2050+, identify
urban needs and opportunities as
More information: www.jpi-urbaneurope.eu
Dorthe Nielsen, policy advisor: dorthe.nielsen@eurocities.eu Per Justesen, city of Lyon, pjustesen@grandlyon.org
4 Flash 109 September 2011
5. culture
Save the date! Next culture forum meeting in Antwerp
Antwerp | 26-28 October
T
he upcoming meeting of the culture will therefore include a session
forum will focus on ‘heritage, urban specifically dedicated to urban
culture and democracy in Europe’. youth culture and an evening
How do we see our past and how programme will be organised at
do cities deal with their cultural heritage? the MAS.
Is urban culture a form of cultural identity?
These are some of the questions we will tackle A special gathering for
at the next meeting, during which we will politicians is also scheduled, hosted
take a closer look at how local heritage and by politicians from Antwerp in
urban cultural policies can contribute more to charge of culture and youth. It will
local democracy. focus on the role of city museums
and the European Youth Capital
2011 is a very special year for the city scheme
of Antwerp. The new city museum, MAS -
Museum Aan de Stroom, opened in May.
Furthermore. This year Antwerp also holds the Registration: cultureforumantwerp.eventbrite.com
title of European Youth Capital. Our forum
Julie Hervé, policy officer – culture: julie.herve@eurocities.eu
Save the date! Next New funding for creative industries to support Europe 2020
creative industries In its budget proposal for 2014-
2020, presented in early July, the
working group in European Commission indicated a
Rotterdam significant increase in EU investment
for education, youth and creativity,
Rotterdam | 24-25 November including measures to support creative
industries as a means to boost job
The meeting will focus on cross- opportunities.
sectoral innovation led by creative
industries. Inspiring examples from The Commission proposes that the
Rotterdam-based companies will be EU budget will support education
presented and partner organisations and cultural policy through two main
from the Netherlands, knowledge instruments:
institutes and creative companies from
Rotterdam will join our members for „ Education Europe, a programme for education, training and youth, with a sub-
the meeting. programme for sport
„ Creative Europe - a programme for culture and the audiovisual industry
The meeting will take place at
the Creative Factory, a former silo Creative Europe will bring together the current Culture, MEDIA and MEDIA Mundus
stretching along one of the city’s programmes in order to focus support on the achievement of the Europe 2020 goals.
canals, which was turned into a hub for
creative businesses in 2008. Creative Europe will help unlock the job creation potential of
The draft agenda and all practical the cultural and creative sectors.
information will be available later in The Commission is proposing to earmark a budget of €1.6 billion (+37% compared to
September. the 2007-2013 budget for the three currently existing programmes).
The Creative Europe programme aims to help preserve cultural heritage and increase
the circulation of creative work inside and outside the EU. Its focus will be supporting
organisations and enterprises that operate across borders and play a role in the promotion
of Europe’s cultural and linguistic diversity. The Culture and MEDIA strands of the
Creative Europe programme will be complemented by an innovative financial instrument,
run by the European Investment Bank, to provide debt and equity finance for cultural
and creative industries. This will address one of the key barriers to the development of
cultural and creative content, access to finance, and should help the cultural and creative
industries benefit from more EU funding.
A more detailed proposal will be presented in the autumn.
Julie Hervé, policy officer – culture:
julie.herve@eurocities.eu Julie Hervé, policy officer – culture: julie.herve@eurocities.eu
Flash 109 September 2011 5
6. economic development
Instruments for future territorial development in Europe
Warsaw | 24-26 October 2011
T
he next EDF meeting on ‘effective instruments for territorial
development in urban functional areas’ takes place in Warsaw
from 24 to 26 October.
The timing fits neatly with the expected release of the
cohesion policy regulations and it will take place alongside a high-
level conference hosted by the Polish presidency. Debates will focus on
financial and non-financial instruments for territorial development and
will feed into the current discussion on the future cohesion policy.
Forum members will have the opportunity to attend the first day
of the conference, on ‘urban areas as engines of growth’. The forum
programme will then continue with working group meetings and a the mayor of Warsaw Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz, vice – president of
study visit on ‘Warsaw image building and marketing’ as well as a EUROCITIES
meeting to discuss the forum’s priorities and working groups.
Vice-Mayor of Poznan, Tomasz Kayser, and Liverpool councillor, Nick Polish presidency conference: tinyurl.com/3s7wpok
Small, chair and vice-chair of the EDF, will host a politicians’ debate Soraya Zanardo, policy assistant – coordination & governance:
on ‘European cities building the economic recovery’, together with soraya.zanardo@eurocities.eu
Towards a single market for services All aboard in Lyon: CLUSNET final
conference
The services directive adopted at the end of 2006 aimed to remove obstacles
to the trade of services within the single market. Today, one year after the Lyon | 13-14 October
implementation deadline, the Commission and member states have completed
an assessment of how the directive has been implemented on the ground. The A barge on
results of this mutual evaluation exercise, finalised in January 2011, concluded the Rhône river
that while some progress has been made, the single market for services is not will be the
yet delivering to its full potential. unconventional
setting for the
While services currently represent two-thirds of the EU's GDP and CLUSNET final
employment, they only account for around one-fifth of total intra-EU trade. conference
on 13 – 14
Today, only about 8% of European SMEs do business October.
in other member states. CLUSNET is
an INTERREG
The European Commission believes that additional measures are needed to IVC funded project that brings together major cities,
unlock potential for growth and that an integrated single market for services EUROCITIES and Stockholm School of Economics to
would help businesses grow, innovate and create more jobs, and also provide analyse and improve cluster support policies. This two-
better and more competitive services to EU consumers and businesses alike. day meeting will showcase the project’s findings on how
to improve cluster performance in Europe.
Service providers are currently affected by a multitude of national and
EU rules. For example, an architect based in Belgium who works for clients The conference, moderated by the renowned urbanist
in the Netherlands may be subject to: the services directive; the directive Greg Clark, will give an opportunity to representatives
on the recognition of professional qualifications; the directive on electronic from clusters across Europe to network and share
commerce; and other existing EU rules governing business-to-business and/ expertise over a series of thematic workshops. Nikos
or business-to-consumer transactions. For the single market to deliver Pantalos from the European Commission’s DG Enterprise
tangible benefits, it is essential that these rules are implemented and applied and Industry will present the EU policy dimension of
consistently, and that they facilitate the trade in services. clusters and city leaders will join for an exchange of
experiences and best practice. On the second day,
A ‘performance check’ has been launched to assess how the services directive participants will be able to visit some of Lyon’s clusters.
and other instruments work in practice. This exercise will allow the European
Commission to determine whether the interaction of the EU legislation This event will examine the outcomes of ten city study
around services is satisfactory or whether greater clarity or new measures are visits to Barcelona, Budapest, Dortmund, Eindhoven,
needed. The objective is to propose concrete solutions to problems identified Gothenburg, Helsinki, Leipzig, Lyon, Manchester and
before the end of 2012, and the European Commission welcomes input Munich, that have taken place since the project began
from stakeholders on these performance checks by 15 October 2011. The in January 2009.
EUROCITIES working group on services of general interest will discuss these at
the next meeting on 22 September 2011.
CLUSNET: www.clusnet.eu
Marie Ranty, policy officer - economic development: marie.ranty@eurocities.eu Susana Forjan, projects assistant: susana.forjan@eurocities.eu
6 Flash 109 September 2011
7. environment
Commission calls for more action on urban environment
T
he European Commission has pointed out that much remains to The Commission asks for more and better policy development at EU
be done to improve the environment in cities. level to address the urban environment, not least since nearly 75% of
the EU population lives in cities. Changing consumer behaviour should
In its assessment of the 6th Environment Action Programme be a priority.
(6th EAP), the Commission finds that the programme
significantly contributed to promoting additional measures, in In the other policy areas of the 6th EAP - air, pesticides, waste
particular under the thematic strategy on the urban environment. prevention and recycling, natural resources, soil, and marine
environment - the plan has also helped address key issues, even
However, a number of concerns remain. For instance, high levels though progress differed depending on the thematic areas
of particulate matter and ozone in many urban areas still cause early highlighted in the programme. The Commission has yet to confirm
deaths and respiratory diseases. whether there will be a successor to the 6th EAP after 2012
40% of the EU’s population living in urban Commission assessment of the 6th EAP: tinyurl.com/3jzopga
areas is still subject to levels of noise exceeding the
threshold recommended by the WHO. Michael Klinkenberg, policy officer – environment:
michael.klinkenberg@eurocities.eu
‘Partnerships’ at the September environment forum Open Days, Covenant of Mayors
Helsinki | 28-30 September 2011 discussion groups
The cities of Helsinki, Espoo Brussels | 12 October 2011
and Vantaa will welcome the
EUROCITIES Environment Forum The Covenant of Mayors
on 28 – 30 September. “We Office will host a series of
have chosen ‘partnerships’ as discussion groups on 12
the meeting theme because we October in the framework
feel that it is one of the most of the Open Days 2011
important factors in the field
The Covenant of Mayors
of environmental issues”, says
discussion groups will
Helsinki’s Deputy Mayor Pekka
allow local and regional
Sauri.
authorities to:
“We need cities,
businesses and universities „ exchange experiences with European Commission,
Covenant representatives and peers on access to and
as partners in order to implementation of local/regional/national/European
fight climate change.” financial instruments and funding mechanisms
available for energy efficiency related projects;
The host city will share „ meet managers of existing European funding
Matti Terri
partnership projects with programmes
the forum, including its new Climate Info Centre and the SME project
EcoCompass. „ draw on experiences of existing funding schemes
and suggest how future EU and national funding
Participants will then have the chance to exchange experiences on how could be shaped to encourage local and regional
to forge successful partnerships with other cities, businesses, universities authorities in their efforts to go beyond the EU
and citizens. Working groups and the forum will also address ‘green energy and climate objectives.
growth’, a concept that benefits from successful partnerships. This event is primarily open to Covenant signatories,
coordinators and supporters. Other organisations and
Also on the agenda are the environment and climate elements of
people interested in attending can participate subject
the proposed future multi-annual financial framework of the EU, the
to availability of seats, after prior confirmation from the
environment forum strategy and priorities for 2012, and further current EU
Covenant of Mayors Office.
environmental policy developments.
Michael Klinkenberg, policy officer – environment: michael.klinkenberg@eurocities.eu Event information: tinyurl.com/3jf6xn9
Contact: events@eumayors.eu
Flash 109 September 2011 7
8. knowledge society
Open innovation in Eindhoven
Eindhoven | 20-21 October 2011
M
„
This year’s EUROCITIES Knowledge Society Forum
autumn event will be hosted by the city of Eindhoven on
20 - 21 October and will focus on two main themes:
Open innovation in an intelligent community: participants will
take part in an ‘open innovation cruise’ through local companies
while the open
innovation cruise and
Horizon 2020 thematic
conference take place
on the following
day
and research institutes.
„ Horizon 2020: the new EU funding framework for research
and innovation due to start in 2014. Discussion on the current
barriers and challenges cities face when implementing research &
innovation programmes and what must change in future.
„ Matchmaking activities around the FP7-REGIONS-2012 call. More information and registration: brainporteindhovenregion.eventbrite.com/
KSF working groups (open data, Smart Cities, eInclusion & services Jan Franke, policy officer – knowledge society:
directive) and the members’ meetings will be held on the first day, jan.franke@eurocities.eu
Funding opportunity: ICT for energy-positive neighbourhoods
As part of the 8th FP7 call for proposals, the Commission has launched an objective on ‘ICT for energy-positive neighbourhoods’ (EEB-
ICT-2011-6.5).
With an indicative budget of €30 million, the objective will support projects that demonstrate a real potential to contribute to the
European energy-efficient buildings initiative by developing management, control and decision-support systems addressing the dynamics
and demand of energy supply in urban and rural communities.
For more information, consult the presentations in the knowledge society section of the EUROCITIES members’ area.
Jan Franke, policy officer - knowledge society: jan.franke@eurocities.eu
EUROCITIES recommendations on public NiCE project launched in Brussels
funding for broadband infrastructure EUROCITIES is taking the lead in
In response to a stakeholder consultation on the European the NiCE (Networking intelligent
Commission's revision of EU rules on the public financing of cities for energy efficiency) project,
broadband infrastructure, we submitted our existing position on launched on 13 September. The
state aid guidelines from 2009. The Commission will present new project will promote the Green
guidelines in 2012. Our position: Digital Charter (GDC) and support
cities in implementing its goals.
„ provides for a wider and more consistent definition of Next
Generation Access (NGA) networks, which should also include At the event, EUROCITIES members were informed of the
Fibre to the Home (FttH) to existing homes and buildings; project’s support and capacity-building activities. NiCE will offer
free training sessions, study tours and the opportunity for cities
„ emphasises the impact that NGA deployment can have on the
to showcase their Green ICT activities by participating in GDC
more general public objectives of social cohesion and economic
roadshows or events linked with the Covenant of Mayors. Cities
development;
will also benefit from the tools NiCE will develop to support
„ states that there is a risk of a new digital divide, particularly in implementation and reporting of GDC commitments.
deprived urban areas and acknowledges the fact that the main
barriers to NGA deployment are the increasingly high initial Members discussed their expectations of the project, which
investment costs. will be fed back to the NiCE partners. The event concluded with
presentations from the cities of Malmo, Bristol and Nuremberg,
The position paper can be found on the EUROCITIES website. sharing their own experiences of implementing the GDC
commitments to date.
If your city is interested in signing the charter or learning
more about the project, please contact NiCE project
coordinator, Giulia Campodonico.
EUROCITIES comments on draft Broadband state aid guidelines:
www.eurocities.eu (knowledge society – documents)
Giulia Campodonico, project officer – knowledge society:
Jan Franke, policy officer – knowledge society: jan.franke@eurocities.eu giulia.campodonico@eurocities.eu
8 Flash 109 September 2011
9. mobility
Smart mobility for smart cities
Mannheim | 6-7 October 2011
T
he city of Mannheim will host the next EUROCITIES Mobility
Forum meeting on 6-7 October to discuss the theme ‘smart
mobility for smart cities’.
Participants will also find out about
The Smart Cities and Communities initiative, launched the latest EU funding opportunities via
by the European Commission in June this year aims to boost the a European projects update, including a
development of integrated sustainable solutions that offer clean, workshop on the SEGMENT project.
secure and affordable energy to citizens, reducing consumption and
More information, including the draft agenda of the event, can be
creating new markets. Smart mobility (green, intelligent, and safe
found in the members’ area on the EUROCITIES website
mobility) plays a major role in achieving these goals, for example
by developing a new mobility culture that involves a shift to more
sustainable modes of transport.
The meeting will present the initiative, which offers a valuable
financing and co-financing source for energy-efficient projects in
European cities. Cities will be asked to present their vision of a ‘smart More information: www.eurocities.eu
city’ and of ‘smart mobility’. Four working groups will meet, and site
visits in Mannheim will take place. Vanessa Holve, policy officer - mobility: vanessa.holve@eurocities.eu
SEGMENT project workshop in Mannheim
Mannheim | 7 October 2011
A workshop organised by the SEGMENT project takes place during the mobility forum in Mannheim on
7 October from 14:00 to 16:00. SEGMENT is a three-year project which looks at using market segmentation
to encourage citizens to adopt more energy-efficient forms of transport. The workshop will present the
results of the project and promote exchange of ideas between participants. For more information on the
project, please visit the website.
SEGMENT: www.segmentproject.eu
Susana Forjan, project assistant: susana.forjan@eurocities.eu
Register now for the CIVITAS forum conference A step closer to cleaner transport
Funchal | 17-19 October The Commission is planning to launch
the Clean Transport Systems (CTS)
As partner of the CIVITAS
initiative at the end of 2011. This should
VANGUARD project,
help put an end to oil dependency in
EUROCITIES is responsible
transport in the longer term. Under
for supporting and
the CTS initiative, the Commission is
promoting the
preparing to launch, in the first quarter
annual CIVITAS forum
of 2012, a communication on alternative transport fuels.
conferences, which bring
The strategy should provide the industry, public sector and
together representatives
consumers with a clear and coherent vision. Furthermore, it
from CIVITAS forum
should help to accelerate the use of alternative transport fuels
network member cities
in the EU.
including politicians and
technical experts. Together with the communication, the Commission is
also considering putting forward a legislative proposal on
This year’s conference will focus on ‘recipes for success: realising
alternative fuel infrastructure requirements. This proposal
sustainable urban mobility together’. Cities from the Maderan
could be very important for cities when it comes to the
archipelago, bridging Africa, Europe and Latin America, will share
deployment of electric vehicles and the related charging
their experiences of local and transnational programmes which have
systems.
succeeded in making urban mobility sustainable. Participants will have
the opportunity to discuss their own success stories in parallel sessions. A public consultation has been launched which will help
to shape the above-mentioned proposals. The consultation,
Participants will leave the event with a ‘menu of good practice’ or
which closes on 6 October, can be found in electronic form
'toolbox' of proven measures and ideas; recipes for success that cities
through the interactive policy-making tool. The results will be
may use and adapt as a basis to working with champion cities to achieve
summarised and published on the Commission's website.
the common goal of sustainable urban mobility.
Commission consultation: tinyurl.com/6j4539t
More information: www.civitas-initiative.org/cms_forum11.phtml
More information on the CITS initiative: tinyurl.com/3dnpkoh
Peter Staelens, project officer - mobility: peter.staelens@eurocities.eu
Vanessa Holve, policy officer - mobility: vanessa.holve@eurocities.eu
Flash 109 September 2011 9
10. social affairs
EUROCITIES calls for city role in Roma inclusion
E
UROCITIES’ recently published to eliminate discrimination as a driver of
statement on Roma demands a real migration of Roma within Europe.
involvement for cities in the new
EU framework for Roma inclusion. A conference organised by the city of
European heads of state adopted this Budapest, EUROCITIES and the Committee of
European framework before the summer and the Regions on 31 May, under the Hungarian
agreed to submit national action plans to the Presidency, sent a similar message to
European Commission by the end of 2011. European and national policy makers. Daniël
These plans should demonstrate how member Termont, Mayor of Ghent, stressed that
states envisage closing the gaps between
Roma and the rest of their population in "Cities in Western Europe do
education, employment, health and housing. not feel sufficiently supported
Our statement underlines that the targets by national governments and the
of the national Roma integration strategies European Union when dealing
cannot be met without involving cities – with the issues of housing, social
beginning with the situation analysis through
to the design of national strategies and action
cohesion and exploitative labour Foundation Centre's initiative 'Foundations
plans. created by the uncontrolled for Roma Inclusion'. Participants will also
Cities' efforts to achieve equal
migration of Roma.” examine Berlin's new contact point for
Eastern European workers and Roma
opportunities, social inclusion and minority Under the leadership of Ghent, the
rights are compromised by limited access EUROCITIES taskforce on Roma inclusion will
to structural funds in many countries. Our monitor how national governments involve
statement reiterates the position taken up cities in their action plans. The taskforce will
in our cohesion policy work: cities need also hold a peer review on Roma mediator
better access to structural funds if they are schemes in education on 24-26 October EUROCITIES statement on Roma integration:
to effectively tackle social exclusion. Our in Berlin. It will include city practitioners, www.eurocities.eu (social affairs – documents)
statement also calls for the implementation Roma stakeholders from EU and local level,
Dirk Gebhardt, programme officer social affairs:
of the EU anti-discrimination directives and representatives from the European
dirk.gebhardt@eurocities.eu
Cities for Active Inclusion (EUROCITIES- Cities central to promoting
NLAO) autumn workshops healthy habits in old age
As part of Cities for Active The workshops will bring
Inclusion (EUROCITIES-NLAO), together stakeholders and
eight major European cities will practitioners to discuss the latest
host national workshops between EU developments on active
September and October. The inclusion policies. Successful local
events will focus on the active practices to support the active
inclusion of young people, inclusion of young people will be
presenting cities’ main research presented, focussing particularly
findings and promoting the on integrating young people into
exchange of knowledge between the labour market.
2012 has been named European Year for Active Ageing and
national stakeholders. The
Members are invited to register Intergenerational Solidarity. At 'Preparing for the European
workshops will take place on the
for the workshops by contacting Year of Active Ageing', an event in Brussels on 5 July 2011,
following dates:
the city representatives which can Ralf Jacobs from the European’s Commission’s department for
„ Copenhagen: 26 September be found using the link below. employment, social affairs and inclusion spoke about the vital
role cities will play in its success, and referred to the need for
„ Stockholm: 27 September regional and local authorities to be involved.
„ Lille Metropole-Roubaix: 29
The cost of healthcare and pensions associated with the
September
ageing population puts a significant strain on public finances,
„ Krakow: 30 September and the Commission wants to use the year to highlight the
potential of older people. The Commission will be contacting
„ Rotterdam: 5 October regional authorities for their commitments to achieving this
„ Birmingham: 5 October goal. For more information on the programme, visit the
official website below.
„ Brno: 6 October
„ Bologna: 13 October
European Year for Active Ageing and Intergenerational Solidarity:
tinyurl.com/6gkrtw9
Registration and further information: tinyurl.com/3th7hyg Caroline Greene, communications officer – social affairs:
caroline.greene@eurocities.eu
10 Flash 109 September 2011
11. city news
Modern mobility in a historic city
T
he city of Bordeaux has managed to retain its historic charm course, cars can still access the city, but with underground car parks
and beauty whilst operating a state-of-the-art public transport hidden from view and air quality in the centre now better than the
network. suburbs, they do so with minimum impact.
Our latest best practice case study looks at the city’s Ironically, Bordeaux’s first tram system, dating back to 1880, was
innovative tram system, serving a population of over one million, abandoned in 1958 on the basis that it hindered traffic flow in the city.
and thousands of tourists every year. The most striking feature of Today’s passengers, however, are far more welcoming.
Bordeaux’s trams is the lack of overhead wires; in the historic city
centre the trams run on ground-level power so as not to detract from
the magnificent architecture. “The tram definitely changed my way of moving
around the city. I save much more time than if I
used my car! Not only is the tram beautiful, but it
also gives you the chance to rediscover the city."
Today, the system represents on average 100 million trips per year,
and around 63% of journeys made on the public transport network
are by tram. The current network covers 44km but extensions are
scheduled in the coming years. Passengers benefit from smart
technology enabling coordinated interchanges between bus, tram and
rail, platform-height floors and air-conditioning, making travelling by
public transport more comfortable and convenient.
Case study on Bordeaux’s trams: www.eurocities.eu (good practice)
Furthermore, the reintroduction of the trams by mayor Alain Juppé Rose Montgomery, communications assistant:
in 1997 has gradually created new focal points around the tram stops, rose.montgomery@eurocities.eu
and has allowed many of the city’s traditional squares to become areas
of calm, with the city centre becoming predominantly pedestrian. Of
Barcelona's latest innovation incubator is open for business!
Almogàvers business factory is a centre for The incubation spaces are proving to be
newly-created businesses launched by the city excellent sources of talent attraction: 18% of
of Barcelona together with local universities, workers in companies located at Almogàvers
research centres, professional associations business factory come from outside Spain.
and venture capital funds that are committed
to innovation and entrepreneurship. Almogàvers business factory becomes the
third municipal incubation environment in
New businesses continue to join this public- the city of Barcelona. Over 110 companies
private partnership and are given incubation are located in Barcelona Activa’s incubation
space within the centre. This amenity will spaces generating an annual turnover of
support companies with high innovative more than €50 million, creating 650 jobs
potential and foster the creation of new jobs, and raising about €44 million in funding.
both central to economic recovery. One in three new projects installed in the
Glòries business incubator does business
The new incubator, which is located at the internationally, while this figure rises to
heart of 22@, Barcelona’s innovation district, 50% for tech companies established at the
was launched on 1 June with 12 companies Barcelona North Technology Park.
employing a total of 33 people. The average
turnover of these companies stands at €1.3
million and is set to reach €5.1 million.
Marc Sans, institutional cooperation officer, Barcelona Activa: marc.sans@barcelonactiva.cat
Barcelona Activa: www.barcelonactiva.cat
Flash 109 September 2011 11
