November 2011 - Evidence from Europe's cities
Eurocities
Evidence from Europe's cities: 2 new Eurocities reports
Commissioner Hahn received 2 EUROCITIES reports during a Polish presidency conference in Warsaw. Tomasz Kayser, Deputy Mayor of Poznan, presented ‘Cities cooperating beyond their boundaries’ and Henk Kool, Deputy Mayor of The Hague, presented ‘A practitioner’s view on neighbourhood regeneration’.
Cities cooperating beyond their boundaries: evidence through experience in European cities
This publication gives practical examples of the increasing prominence of metropolitan areas across the EU. Findings show that the role of metropolitan areas is best shaped through bottom-up partnership, and that metropolitan area governance will best succeed when adapted to work alongside existing political and administrative structures. Drafted by the EUROCITIES working group on metropolitan areas, the report stresses that functional partnerships should be promoted and supported at national and EU level.
A practitioner’s view on neighbourhood regeneration: issues, approaches and experiences in European cities
Recommendations are offered to local governments and the EU on regenerating deprived neighbourhoods. The final report, published by the Nicis Institute in The Hague, is the result of research and exchange visits by practitioners from The Hague, Oslo, Berlin, Porto, Dresden and Preston. Prepared by the EUROCITIES working group on urban regeneration, the report recognises the importance of EU structural funds and suggests making it easier to combine funding from the European Regional Development Fund and the European Social Fund to ensure an integrated approach to regeneration. Local governments are advised to involve residents in the planning process and avoid unnecessary bureaucracy.
Link to the reports: