news REGION MAGAZINE OF THE INSTITUTE OF THE REGIONS OF EUROPE • 52 / MAY 2019 Save the date: 15th Conference of European Regions Postcard of the Arad Szabadság-Square 1915 and Cities „Europe & Peace: 1919 – 1989 – 2019“ 06th – 08th of October 2019 Salzburg, AT Expert conference in Arad, Romania Sustainable tourism and Habsburg’s heritage in CEE 3 Smart Regions 10 EU Summit 12 Regional and Expert Conference: in Bucharest: Local Elections: Transborder regional Declaration on regional Abruzzo, Sardinia, Trentino, cooperation needed future of the EU South Tyrol and Salzburg FOCUS IRE-Expert Conference Mobility in Smart Regions Arno Kompatscher Governor of South Tyrol, Italy 8th IRE Expert Conference „Mobility in Smart Regions“ the growing together of the boarder areas at the Brenner Pass, we have gained unrestricted access to the neighbouring German he European Union is more than common values or rules. It language and cultural area and have become part of the bigger Transport of the future needs is more than just committees and commissions. More than European unit. For us, cross-border cooperation is part of our dai- a single currency or standardized food labelling. The EU is ly lives and this is precisely where the strength of Europe and its T regions lies! an expression of our will to play a decisive role in tackling global transborder regional cooperation and challenges and of our responsibility for a peaceful future. The European Union enables us to engage in cross-border ex- Since the signing of the Treaties of Rome, which led to the esta- changes and to benefit from collaborations with other regions. By blishment of the predecessor organisations of today‘s EU, Europe the same token, it is also the regions‘ solidarity and their identi- fication with European values, which breathe life into the Union. an attractive public transport offer has become a unique peace project and serves as a role model around the world. It is not for nothing that the European Union Europe and European integration begin with people on a local has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2012 for its commit- level and also through cross-border cooperation projects such ment to peace, reconciliation, democracy and human rights in as Euroregion of Tyrol-South Tyrol-Trentino. This aims to make it Europe. easier for citizens to see and experience Europe. In this Euroregi- Daily traffic jams in the morning and in the evening, rapidly increasing demand for parking spaces and on, cross-border cooperation between the Austrian state of Tyrol missing or incorrect public transport services burden everyday urban life. In addition, this results in serious, History has taught us where nationalism leads to. Populism, pro- and the two autonomous provinces of South Tyrol and Trentino almost unsolvable environmental problems. However, not only large metropolises, but increasingly also tectionism and provocations against the idea of European unity covers many fields including traffic, agriculture, education and are dangerous attempts to weaken Europe, and at the same time culture. The ability to create a so-called EGTC (European Grouping regional central cities and their surrounding areas are confronted with these issues. This also applies to the fail to provide answers to the challenges of our time. of Territorial Cooperation) has given interregional cooperations a state capital of Salzburg, the surrounding districts and the adjacent Bavarian areas. Today, more than ever, we need a European Union that promotes significant upgrade and a wider range of possibilities. The idea be- peace, social justice and human rights both at home and beyond hind the legal and institutional regulation of the EGTC is to create its borders. In times of growing challenges, it is important to recog- a plurinational, multicultural and multilingual European region. The Smart Region approach seeks to provide solu- Transport is a central issue for every metropolitan nise the value of a united Europe, without which this long period It is imperative to increase the role of the regions within the Eu- tions by promoting functional networking of cities area. Smart Regions go beyond the city limits and of peace and prosperity would not have been possible. In view of ropean context and to grant them more influence and a bigger with their surrounding area. On 20 February 2019 enable smaller villages to implement smart city solu- the forthcoming European elections, it is particularly important to voice. More thinking and trading on a European level within the international experts discussed with entrepreneurs tions. There are already several successful examples th communicate to the people what Europe has achieved for us over regions is also needed. In addition, it is important that the decisi- and politicians from Salzburg at the 8 Expert Con- throughout Europe. Some particularly interesting the last 60 years, and what it can still achieve looking forward. We ons and measures taken in Brussels are supported at regional level ference of the Institute of the Regions of Europe in ones, such as Stuttgart, Zurich, Bolzano or Basel were are all Europe and with our voice we shape the future of it. and that they are easier to implement locally. This requires coo- Hallwang near Salzburg. The conference focused on presented at this conference. „Mobility in Smart Regions“ and presented concrete We South Tyroleans - like people elsewhere - benefit enormously peration between those involved at European and regional level Member of the Regional Government Land Salzburg examples from other regions for environmentally from the EU without borders and from the significant advantages as well as a strengthening of the role of the regions. Decentrali- Stefan Schnöll pointed out the concrete traffic pro- friendly, innovative and safe transport systems as that the EU has brought to its citizens. The free movement of peo- sation, as opposed to state centralisation, can bring the EU closer blems in Salzburg: „The basic problem of Salzburg well as contemporary mobility management so that ple, goods and services as well as the single European currency, to the needs and requirements of its people living in the various consists in the long distances and limited alternative regions. And this is precisely where the future of Europe lies: in a meaningful and effective measures for the specific the Europe-wide minimum standards for quality and health and routes that result from the Salzach and the city hills. united Europe of regions which promises regions more influence area of ​​Salzburg can be derived. safety to name but a few, are now taken for granted by many. With The many commuters from the surrounding area of ​​ our position on Italy‘s northern border with Austria and through and a bigger voice. You can find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/institut.ire Twitter: www.twitter.com/Institut_IRE Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/institut_ire Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/company/ institut-der-regionen-europas-ire- COVER: Old Postcard of the Arad Szabadság-Square in the Year 1915 IMPRESSUM Media owner and publisher: Institute of the Regions of Europe, A-5020 Salzburg, Nonntaler Hauptstraße 58, Tel.: +43/662/843288-0, Fax: +43/662/843288-5050, www.institut-ire.eu, [email protected] • Editor and layout: printmedia & pmverlag, 5020 Salzburg • Photos: IRE, Neumayr, Bernd Petrisch, Wikipedia • Photo Cover: IRE Archive • Print: Samson Druck GmbH, A-5581 St. Margarethen Insofar as this publication features only personal designations in their gender-specific forms, they relate – insofar as this can be considered with regard to the content – to men and women on equal terms. 2 newsregion 52 / may 2019 newsregion 52 / may 2019 3 FOCUS FOCUS IRE-ExpertEU & Brussels Conference Mobility in Smart Regions IRE-Expert Conference Mobility in Smart Regions Traffic experts from Stuttgart, Dresden and Zurich presented their findings together with Member of the Regional Government Stefan Schnöll, head of the institute Schausberger and SVV CEO Frommer (from left to right: Ralf Maier-Geisser, Kerstin Burggraf, Stefan Schnöll, Franz Schausberger, Allegra Frommer, Pascal Lippmann) Salzburg, of whom 80 percent go by car, then quickly Four core ideas proved to be block the roads.“ Therefore, public transport must be essential at the conference: made more attractive. However, possible solutions, such as cheaper fares and means of transport, which Supra-regionality go in the direction that people need, can only be rea- Successful traffic planning must not stop at lized if the city and the Land Salzburg work together. the urban borders, it must involve the sur- rounding communities and – if necessary Here, the responsible politicians are now in agree- – also cross state borders. ment, confirmed the Mayor of Salzburg Harald Preu- ner: „The problem can only be tackled if we bring Use rail transport all individual steps together.“ „Isolated individual However, this is only possible if a lot of peo- measures without overall concept and prohibitions ple are transported from the countryside to Stefan Schnöll, without attractive alternative offers not only solve the city and out in a short time – enabled Member of the problems, but relocate at best or even exacer- thanks to high-performance train networks the Regional bate the situation“, added Franz Schausberger, from the region to the city center. Government of Land Chairman of the Institute of European Regions: „Less Comfort & simplicity Salzburg private transport can only be achieved by expanding The car only