The challenges of metropolitan regions and their position in the future Cohesion Policy post 2020. Juraj Droba

Main Goals Of The Opinion: 1. A call for a greater recognition of metropolitan regions in the Cohesion Policy post 2020. 3. Stimulate the metropolitan regions to prepare arguments on why they should be supported by the post-2020 Cohesion Policy. 2. Identification of the main challenges of metropolitan regions. 4. Policy recommendations for the preparation of effective collaborative mechanisms.

293 Million... ...EU residents were living in metropolitan regions in 2016, which means three EU residents out of five. 75%... ...EU residents live in urban areas and this figure is expected to reach 80% by 2050.

72% OF THE EU GDP IS GENERATED "METROPOLITAN REGIONS ARE KEY DRIVERS OF GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT." 72% OF THE EU GDP IS GENERATED IN METROPOLITAN REGIONS

Challenges I. Transport Environment Social Inclusion Migration Digitisation Shortages of Skilled Labour New Forms of Mobility Implementation of a Sustainable Energy Transition Climate Protection Policy

Challenges II. Ageing of Population Homelessness Crime In-work Poverty Affordable Housing

GDP is not enough The method for reallocating resources under the ESIF is based primarily on one indicator – GDP per capita/purchasing power parity – and does not include social, territorial and environmental aspects. "There is a need to explore other indicators that complement GDP when measuring progress." Eurostat

Urban - Rural Linkages The Recognition... The Debate... ...of the role of metropolitan regions to the achievement of the Cohesion policy goals is still insufficient. The Debate... ....on MRs needs to highlight the significance of well-functioning urban-rural links. The Opportunity... ....to take into account the need for a specific approach to MRs and their functional areas.

WHAT DO WE NEED? Fair recognition of metropolitan regions in the Cohesion Policy post 2020 Involvement of metropolitan regions in the preparation and implementation of the cohesion policy Support the EC proposal to increase flexibility Incentives to support metropolitan cooperation within the European Structural and Investment Funds

WHAT DO WE NEED? Research and statistical data collection at metropolitan area level Support for the proposal to increase to 6% the national allocation for sustainable urban development Contributing to the "beyond GDP" Cooperation among metropolitan regions

CoR procedure & timetable 24. September Deadline for submitting the draft opinion to the COTER secretariat 10.  - 17. October Deadline to table Amendments: - For the members amendments - For the rapporteur (Rapporteur's amendments) 23. October Discussion and adoptionof the draft opinion in COTER 19. - 28. November Deadline to table Amendments: - For the members amendments - For the rapporteur (Rapporteur's amendments) 4. - 5. December Adoption of the draft opinion in COR plenary

According to forecasts, as much as 80% of the EU’s population will soon be living in urban areas. Are you in favour of more support for cities and functional urban areas, or do you think that they receive sufficient support? Can you envisage increasing support for sustainable urban development up to 10% of the national allocation? Do you plan to apply for flexibility in the post-2020 CP or, if you are not a representative of an MR, would you see any benefits for other territories of flexibility for MRs in your country?

What steps does your metropolitan region take to prepare arguments to justify why investments from the ESIF should be channelled specifically towards your metropolitan region? Is your region involved in any project on an alternative comprehensive measure of development that also takes into account indicators other than purely economic ones? For example, the European Commission pilot project on establishing a Social Progress Index (SPI)?