Sustainable urban development: a framework for action, follow-up of COM(1997)0197

OBJECTIVE : Commission Communication regarding sustainable urban development in the EU outlining a framework for action. CONTENT : The EU Framework for action for sustainable urban development aims at better co-ordinated and targeted community action for urban problems and is organised under four interdependent policy aims : - Strengthening economic prosperity and employment in towns and cities : the Commission stresses the importance of improving the effectiveness of Structural Fund support by providing for an explicit urban dimension in regional programming. It also envisages that the Structural Funds will promote co-operation between urban areas in different Member States with a view to enhancing joint development opportunities; - Promoting equality, social inclusion and regeneration in urban areas : Future co-operation against discrimination and exclusion based on the new Amsterdam Treaty should recognise their particular concentration in urban areas. The Commission advocates an area-based approach to the regeneration of deprived urban areas under the Structural Funds, integrating economic, social, cultural, environmental, transport and security aspects. Linkages between urban areas in difficulty and the wider social and economic strategies in order to avopid urban segregation are equally important; - Protecting and improving the urban environment : towards local and global sustainability. The Framework for Action highlights those environmental actions most likely to lead to demonstrable improvements on the ground in urban areas, and draws together a wide range of Community initiatives that affect the quality of the urban environment, including urban energy management, transport, waste, air quality, water, noise and contaminated land. Emphasis is placed on integrated environmental management approaches and on how the Structural Funds can contribute to a more sustainable urban environment; - Contributing to good urban governance and local empowerment : There is a call for stronger policy integration between various levels of government and policy sectors and for citizen empowerment and involvement. The Commission foresees awareness-raising and capacity-building measures and support for innovative urban development strategies aimed at promoting good urban governance, empowerment and urban security. It proposes action to improve comparative information on urban conditions and offers to support the 'Urban Exchange Initiative' launched by the Member States. For each of these four aims, the Commission proposes to improve know-how and encourage exchange of experience between all the sectors involved. The Commission will improve internal service co-ordination with regard to urban issues. An Inter-service Group will continue to examine the urban implications of EU policies and instruments with a view to further strengthening their urban sensitivity and integration. Cross-cutting actions under the joint responsibility of relevant Commission services will be developed. The Commission will assess overall progress with the implementation of the Framework for Action in its triennial report on economic and social cohesion. It also envisages setting up a group of experts to discuss progress with the implementation of the Framework for Action and to advise theCommission on future activity. Dialogue with representatives from all levels of government and other interested parties can be organised by way of Open Platforms and by holding the Urban Forum on a regular basis.�