EUROCITIES in 2010 the Network of Major European Cities EUROCITIES Is the Political Platform for Major European Cities

EUROCITIES IN 2010 the network of major European cities EUROCITIES is the political platform for major European cities. Founded in 1986, EUROCITIES networks the local governments of 140 of the most important cities in Europe, representing their interests to the EU institutions and EU presidencies. www.eurocities.eu CONTENTS Forewords ..............................................................................................4 Climate ...................................................................................................7 Recovery ..............................................................................................13 Inclusion ...............................................................................................21 EUROCITIES executive committee ......................................................26 EUROCITIES members & partners ......................................................28 EUROCITIES forum chairs ...................................................................30 Fast financial facts ...............................................................................31 Save the date! EUROCITIES 2011 Genoa ...........................................32 SECRETary general’s foreword These have been ‘interesting times’, featuring considerable uncertainty and change. But such turbulence not only reinforces the urgency of political discourse, it also drives cities to be more ambitious, creative and outward looking. So, despite the crisis, 2010 has been a positive year for EUROCITIES. As this annual report attests, we have through our forums stimulated valuable mutual learning and fruitful collaborative projects. We have also made real progress on many aspects of our influencing work, from urban mobility to cohesion policy, from the digital to the social agenda. Whether engaging with European parliamentarians or commissioners, or joining with local government globally, EUROCITIES’ representation is powerful because it is credible. It is thanks to our still strong and active membership that we can ensure the voice of Europe’s big cities is always heard and often heeded. Paul Bevan EUROCITIES Secretary General 4 President’s foreword In my first year as president of EUROCITIES, it is my privilege to introduce this annual report. The last year has been remarkable for the intense economic challenges and significant political changes facing Europe. Nevertheless, I am delighted to record the growing reputation and effectiveness of our network. Because of our collaboration through EUROCITIES, I’m pleased to say that the key role of Europe’s major cities is increasingly understood and our experience increasingly respected. In 2010 we defined our priorities as recovery, climate, and inclusion. These are echoed in the European Commission’s vision for the future, Europe 2020, namely ‘smart, sustainable and inclusive growth’. As the debate begins on the EU budget to deliver that vision, it is more widely accepted that ‘smart, sustainable and inclusive cities’ are a key condition of success. Thanks are due to our members and partners, and to our secretariat in Brussels, for the commitment and energy behind our continued impact. Frank Jensen, Mayor of Copenhagen President of EUROCITIES 5 CLIMATE Climate change has become a priority issue in global governance. Cities are important players, not only because they produce some 80% of greenhouse emissions but because they are best placed to change the behaviour of citizens and businesses. With the right support we can drive forward green growth. ENVIRONMENT Air Quality – Energy Efficiency - Climate Change COOPERATION Road Safety Sustainable Urban Water Management eGov 2.0 Climate Change & Energy KNOWLEDGE SOCIETY Developing a New Mobility Culture Green Areas MOBILITY Noise Policy ICT for Energy Efficiency Greening the Local Economy Clean Cities Transport & Energy Efficiency Waste Management 7 BUILDING SMART CITIES Information and communication technology can be a great force for sustainability. That’s why a growing number of cities are signing up to the EUROCITIES Green Digital Charter, which now has over 25 signatories. The charter commits cities to work together in finding creative ways to become smart cities by using digital technologies that increase energy efficiency and reduce emissions. “Europe’s climate targets will only be met through measures that help city governments to manage down their carbon footprint. The Green Digital Charter aims to be a catalyst for cities to work together to find creative and imaginative ways to become smart cities.” Francisco de la Torre Prado, Mayor of Malaga “The commitments of cities to setting targets to reduce their own carbon footprint and also to deploy five large scale ICT pilots for cities before 2015 is truly inspiring.” Neelie Kroes, European Commissioner for digital agenda 8 FINANCING LOCAL CLIMATE ACTION EUROCITIES is pushing for sustained funding The announcement came at the 2010 ceremony streams for city climate action. These efforts of the Covenant of Mayors, an initiative that were met with some success in May 2010 with has benefited from EUROCITIES support since the European Commission’s proposal to pledge 2008. Since then, the covenant has achieved €150 million of unused EU stimulus cash to the unprecedented backing of over 2,000 supporting local climate actions. European cities and towns who have committed to reducing CO2 emissions through energy efficiency. “We need to raise our game substantially if we stand any chance of beating climate change. Cities believe that new models of financing and partnerships are the way forward. The public and private sector must be in this together.” “[Tackling climate change is] the task of all of society but especially mayors because in the Ronan Dantec, daily decision-making such as transport, street lighting, emissions, we can either choose Vice-president of to create an energy-efficient Europe or we can make a Europe that ignores overall energy Nantes Metropole costs and its consequences for our economy.” José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero Prime Minister of Spain, EU presidency chair (January – June 2010) 9 “The capacity of local authorities to integrate energy into the larger socio-economic agenda is essential to get out of the downturn.” Günther Oettinger, European Commissioner for energy Shaping the political debate on the role of cities towards green growth, EUROCITIES supported a high-level dialogue with two European Parliament intergroups in September 2010. Attending MEPs, Karima Delli, Danuta Hübner, Jo Leinen and Vittorio Prodi agreed that a package of legislation and financing for cities would lead to a more sustainable Europe. “We will win the climate battle in cities. Enhancing the urban and territorial dimension in the European agenda and the future cohesion policy should help reinforce the role of cities as key players of sustainable development.” MEP Karima Delli, Vice-chair of the European Parliament urban intergroup 10 DRIVING FORWARD URBAN TRANSPORT In June 2010, EU transport ministers gave their Meeting in July 2010 with the then EUROCITIES’ backing to the European Commission action plan president, Jozias van Aartsen, Mayor of The on urban mobility, representing a milestone in Hague, the EU commissioner for transport Siim EUROCITIES’ lobbying on the strategic, Europe- Kallas, also acknowledged urban transport as wide significance of urban mobility. Today, we a key component of the European transport have an important policy basis for EU support to system. city transport schemes. “It’s time for cities to be brought more centrally into the EU’s game-plan for transport. So much more can be achieved through strategic transport planning and investment if we connect it to the integrated vision and delivery capacity of Europe’s cities.” Miguel Ángel Cámara Botía, Mayor of Murcia Chair of EUROCITIES Mobility Forum (until November 2010) 11 RECOVERY Cities are Europe’s global competitive edge and centres of innovation, producing around 85% of the EU’s GDP. Under strong city leadership, we can attract the right talent and investment to achieve a climate of recovery. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Branding management & City Attractiveness Urban Regeneration MOBILITY International Accessibility Services of General Interest Resources for Culture Clusters European Neighbourhood Policy & Enlargement Entrepreneurship Metropolitan Areas Creative Industries Cohesion Policy & Structural Funds European Governance & Partnerships Spatial Planning & City of the Future Responsible Procurement & Consumption CULTURE COOPERATION 13 THE KEY TO EUROPE 2020 “The commission’s new vision for the future, Europe 2020, is ‘smart, sustainable and inclusive growth’, and one that echoes EUROCITIES’ priorities. As the debate begins on the EU budget to deliver that vision, many now recognise that it will only be realised if Europe’s cities are themselves ‘smart, sustainable and inclusive’.” Jozias van Aartsen, Mayor of The Hague, President of EUROCITIES (until 4 November 2010) EUROCITIES successfully lobbied for recognition of the role of local government in the EU’s growth strategy for the coming decade. Much of what we are collectively aiming to achieve through ‘Europe 2020’ comes down to taking effective action in local communities to improve people’s skills and well-being. The EU’s flagship initiatives will make the greatest impact by empowering and supporting Europe’s cities to take integrated, joined-up action at the local level. “The place of cities in delivering 2020 is indisputable, they’re

Load more