URBAN - Mission “economic and social regeneration of cities and neighbourhoods in crisis” Lewis Dijkstra, Ph.D. DG Regional Policy

Prior to URBAN II: 1989-1999 Urban Pilot Projects URBAN I: 1994-99 33 from 1989-93 and 26 from 1997-99 Article 10 innovative and pilot actions 164 million EURO Economic, social, environmental, urban regeneration projects Participation & integration URBAN I: 1994-99 118 programmes 85 launched in 1994 and 33 in 1996 900 million EURO from EU plus 900 million from national sources 3.2 million people targetted average 560 EURO per capita

Urban Policy 1997 Commission Communication Towards an Urban Agenda in the European Union 1998 Commission Communication Urban Sustainable Development in the EU: a Framework for Action

Urban policy - A Framework for Action 4 policy aims: Strengthening economic prosperity and employment in towns and cities Promoting equality, social inclusion and regeneration in urban areas Protecting and improving the urban environment: towards local and global sustainability Contributing to good urban governance and local empowerment

URBAN II Method rehabilitation of obsolete infrastructure integrated approach rehabilitation of obsolete infrastructure upgrade quality of the environment economic and labour market actions combat social exclusion

Objectives of the URBAN II Community Initiative 1. Innovative strategies for sustainable regeneration of small and medium-sized towns and cities or distressed urban neighbourhoods in larger cities 2. Enhance and exchange knowledge/experience regarding sustainable urban development

Key characteristics of URBAN II 70 urban zones inside or outside Objectives 1 and 2 geographical coherence smaller towns now included… ...but targeted areas must be over 10,000 population innovative solutions to problems sustainable urban development exchange of experience

70 URBAN II Programmes

Principles for URBAN II programmes critical mass local partnership link strategy to wider region access to jobs equal opportunities EU environmental policy complementarity

The eligible zones score high on 3 out of the 9 criteria below: 1. high level of long-term unemployment 2. low level of economic activity 3. high level of poverty and exclusion 4. specific need for conversion, due to local economic and social difficulties; 5. high number of immigrants, ethnic and minority groups, or refugees 6. low level of education, significant skills deficiencies and high drop-out rates from school 7. high level of criminality and delinquency 8. precarious demographic trends 9. particularly rundown environment. "Indirect zoning" Commission lays down guidelines for selection of sites Quota of sites for each Member State Member State chooses areas: -socio-economic indicators reflecting guidelines as well as national priorities -quality of programme proposed -territorial balance -coherence with EU and national actions

Context Indicators “Minimum Set” Population Surface area Unemployment Rate Long-term Unemployment Enterprises per capita % of population dependent on social transfers % immigrants or ethnic minorities or refugees School drop-out quota places in child care facilities per capita Crimes per capita % of population <16 years % of population > 60 years Average Living space % of green area Length of public transport network

Optional Indicators Number of users of public transport Length of bicycle tracks average waiting time for public transport average speed of public transport doctors per capita members of cultural or sports organisations Number of internet access points Number of SMEs/ professions with an Internet presence

Area characteristics Unemployment (%)

Area characteristics Ethnic Minorities (%)

Area characteristics Crime Rates Crimes per 1000 inhabitants

Allocation of 700 million EURO Large Member States Germany 140 million UK 117 million Italy 108 million Spain 106 million France 96 million Networks 15 million Other Member States Netherlands 28 million Greece 24 million Belgium 20 million Portugal 18 million Austria 8 million Denmark, Ireland, Finland, Sweden 5 million each Luxembourg 0

URBAN II Priorities (1) Mixed use and environmentally friendly brownfield redevelopment: reclamation of derelict and contaminated land rehabilitation of public spaces renovation of buildings for economic and social purposes

URBAN II Priorities (2) Entrepreneurship and employment: support for SMEs support for training and skills development addressing social exclusion integration of minorities/immigrants

URBAN II Priorities (3) Environmental improvements: public transport & communications waste minimisation energy efficiency air quality

URBAN II Priorities (4) Technology transfer and access to information technology Improvements in governance: New and modern urban management structures

URBAN II Type of spending

URBAN II Area characteristics Type of city 12 (17%) 27 (39%) 31 (44%)

URBAN II Area characteristics Type of neighbourhood 4 (6%) 8 (11%) 31(44%) 27 (39%)

URBAN II Co-operation and networking Exchange of experience among cities: structured approach of URBACT, involvement of national administrations and other bodies Monitoring and evaluation of URBAN II based on common sets of indicators inspired by Urban Audit New phase of Urban Audit to deepen understanding of urban conditions