3.7.2001 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 187 E/41 exemption. This is a complex case and fact-finding has taken some time. The facts presented so far have not been sufficient for the Commission to grant an individual exemption. A final decision on this matter will be taken in the first half of 2001. (2001/C 187 E/043) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3761/00 by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission (4 December 2000) Subject: European urban renewal and the ‘Bologna 2’ case (Calderara di Reno) In the commune of Calderara di Reno (Bologna), Emilia-Romagna region (Italy), there is a huge housing estate, known in local news and gossip as ‘Bologna 2’, which is in unremitting structural and social decline. Bologna 2 and the surrounding area are in the hands of criminal gangs who run prostitution rackets, push drugs, traffic in arms, and the like. Residents and members of the business community are fighting to reclaim the area at constant risk of their lives. Action by the police and the courts is failing to produce lasting results. Because it is a small commune of about 10 000 inhabitants, Calderara di Reno does not have sufficient resources to regenerate the area in question on its own. Can the Commission say: what steps are being taken at European level to revitalise decayed urban areas, especially those in medium-sized towns and cities and/or small communes, possibly working in partnership, as the case may be; are there any Community measures to finance urban renewal plans and activities aimed at unifying the social fabric of the most decayed urban neighbourhoods and areas? Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission (25 January 2001) The European Union can give financial assistance to urban areas facing socio-economic problems through the URBAN II Community initiative programme. Areas undergoing restructuring are also eligible under Objective 2 of the Structural Funds. As regards URBAN II, on 28 April 2000 the European Commission adopted the communication laying down guidelines for this initiative concerning economic and social regeneration of cities and of neighbourhoods in crisis in order to promote sustainable urban development (1). The total contribution from the European Regional Development Fund over the 2000-2006 programming period for this new initiative will be € 700 million. The urban areas to be covered under this initiative should have a population of at least 20 000, however, this figure can be lowered to 10 000 in duly substantiated cases. In this case, areas will have to meet at least three of the characteristic conditions of precariousness mentioned in item II-11 of the communication such as, for example, a high rate of long-term unemployment, crime or delinquency or a particularly rundown environment. The Commission points out that under the terms of the provisions laid down in the communication, it is the responsibility of the Member State concerned to submit proposals for programmes under the URBAN initiative. As the commune of Calderara di Reno not itself located in an area covered by Objective 2, it is not entitled to receive appropriations available under this objective. (1) OJ C 141, 19.5.2000..