European urban policies, urban agenda, cities, growth, economy, challenges, regional policies, strategy
Today more than half of the world's population lives in urban areas. This figure is projected to increase to 80% by 2050 (United Nations, 2019). Even though Cities are home to many complex, interlinked challenges (related to climate control, energy efficiency, pollution, and many more) they also play a vital role in actively addressing these problems. The essential story of urban policy in the EU is one of a gradual increased recognition of the importance of cities - but always under the umbrella of regional policy (Parkinson, 2005). The European Commission argues that the battle for a green future can only be won by mobilising all urban stakeholders, including its citizens as ?city makers' and key actors in participatory governance and policymaking. The guiding principle of European urban policies is for cities to become more human-centered (Paquet, 2019). This is not just a right, but also involves responsibilities, obligations and duties. To be a city for citizens where citizens become city-makers and shapers, makers and co-creators of their evolving urban development is not an entitlement. It means being an active citizen concerned with the local and European context and with the urgency of the global context.
[...] Luckily, a number of policies such as monetary and fiscal policies, job retention policies, etc. have helped soften the blow a bit, and will help assist in stimulating growth going forward. Ulrik Vestergaard Knudsen, Deputy Secretary-General of the OECD, noted that the covid-19 outbreak has only amplified the need for a coordinated approach across all levels of policy making, and that local leader involvement to short-term policy responses has proven fundamental to the EU's recovery (OECD, 2021). Bibliography Books Akkucuk, U The Circular Economy and its Implications on Sustainability and the GreenSupply Chain. [...]
[...] This is where the Urban Agenda for the EU comes into play. Exploring European urban policy Leo van den Berg (1998/2018) addressed the question "what is meant by `urban policy'? He noted that whilst many might understand `urban policy' as drawing a distinction in policies made for urban areas vs policies made for non-urban regions (national and regional), Whilst this suggests a territorial (or spatial) distinction between the policies, it does not address their content nor whom is responsible for their implementation. [...]
[...] https://bibm.eu/policies/energy-efficiency/an-eu-strategy-on-adaptation-to-climate-change/ EUKN The Urban Agenda for the EU intends to boost the role of cities in national and EU policymaking to bring the EU closer to the citizens. https://www.eukn.eu/news/detail/the-urban-agenda-for-the-eu-intends-to-boost-the-role-of-cities-in-national-and-eu-policymaking-to-b/ European Union The History of the European Union. https://europa.eu/european-union/about-eu/history_en EU2007DE Leipzig Charter on Sustainable European Cities. https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/archive/themes/urban/leipzig_charter.pdf OECD OECD Principles on Urban Policy. https://www.oecd.org/cfe/urban-principles.htm UN-Habitat The Tenth Session of the World Urban Forum. https://unhabitat.org/wuf10 URBACT A rough guide to European Urban Policy. https://urbact.eu/rough-guide-european-urban-policy Urban Agenda Platform Cities of Opportunities: Connecting Culture and Innovation. https://www.urbanagendaplatform.org/sites/default/files/2021-01/WUF%2010%20final%20declared%20actions%20-%20FINAL.pdf Urban Agenda Platform European Union. [...]
[...] (European Commission, 2019b) There have been arguments that EU policies resembled a "patchwork quilt of programmes, initiatives and structural funds". As such, stakeholders have argued that EU policies need to be better regulated - to be made more consistent and clear. In In order for the European Union to deliver on its strategic objectives, the Urban Agenda for the EU, aims to focus on the development of "three key action plans to: Improve existing regulation with regarding to urban areas and urban challenges; Support and improve innovative and user-friendly sources of funding for Urban Areas; Share and develop knowledge (data, studies, good practices)." Simply put: Better Regulation, Better Funding and Better Knowledge (European Commission, 2020; European Commission, 2019b; European Commission, 2016). [...]
[...] Parkinson noted that few national governments had yet to successfully mainstream the urban agenda. In his book on `The Regional and Urban Policy of the European Union', Philip McCann (2015) argues that to date, all EU policy debates have been influenced by a set of four influences: The diversity and heterogeneity of the European Union; Shifts in European growth perspectives and the development of the Europe 2020 strategy; Major steps forward in academic thinking about spatial economics, economic geography and development policy; and The geographical impacts of the 2008 global financial crisis." One of the biggest influences on the successful implementation of EU policy, is the heterogeneity of the EU. [...]
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