1. 
Urban Mobility: the relevance of networking and the contribution to Cohesion Policy 25 February Eleni Kopanezou Head of Unit DG TREN/G4 “Clean Transport and Urban Transport”
EUROPEAN COMMISSION

2. Why a Green Paper on Urban Mobility
EU citizens expect high levels of mobility
Cities face important challenges and should not be left alone
Sustainable urban mobility is essential for achieving various policy objectives
There is no magic solution, but change is possible through integrated thinking ….
involving stakeholders and linking policy domains
to develop « packages » that are
implemented and monitored professionally

3. Why a Green Paper on Urban Mobility
Why a Green Paper on Urban Mobility
We need to act together …
Problems are local but some of their impacts are global: cooperation between local, regional, national and European level is necessary
EU wishes to play a facilitating role
respecting the subsidiarity principle
The Green Paper follows extensive
consultations with stakeholders
The Green Paper puts forward
options, no proposals
TOWARDS A NEW CULTURE FOR URBAN MOBILTY | 3

4. Green Paper: Towards a new culture for urban mobility
Five major challenges for European cities
Free-flowing towns and cities
Greener towns and cities
Smarter urban transport
Accessible urban transport
Safety and security
A new culture for urban mobility
Financing urban transport

5. The added value of EU action
EU wishes to facilitate change but without imposing solutions
Exchange of knowledge and best practices
Guidance and awareness raising
Standard setting and facilitating interoperability
Financial support
Simplification of legislation
New legislation framework, if necessary

6. Financing is a major issue
Better use of existing funds (local, regional, national and EU)
EU financial means: Structural Funds, Cohesion Fund, loans from EIB, RTD (e.g. CIVITAS Initiative), Intelligent Energy Europe programme – STEER…
Users should also contribute: public transport tickets, urban road user charging, parking fees…

7. Green Paper – Next steps
Green Paper launches a new consultation phase until 15 March 2008
All contributions are welcome
Publication of a concrete Action Plan in autumn 2008
Action Plan will include possible actions at EU, national, regional and local levels and at the level of industry and citizens

8. How to participate ? Comments and suggestions can be sent to:
European Commission
DG Energy and Transport
Clean Transport and Urban Transport Unit
Office DM28 02/64
B-1049 Brussels

9. The added value of networking activities and cohesion policy
« Isolated » sharing of knowledge does not bring value at EU level
Exchanges organised through networks /partnerships of cities at EU level
maximise exposure to knowledge and excellence
minimise costs
still allow close interactions
Cohesion policy can benefit from networking

10. Example 1: Regions for Economic Change – Sharing Excellence
Networking now to facilitate access to EU financing
More than 500 participants from regions all over Europe are expected to discuss how European regional policy and its instruments can help regions to learn from one another and translate network outputs into action through mainstream policy and programmes
Through nine workshops, the event will showcase strategies, experiences and projects intended to provide learning and networking opportunities for Structural Funds managing authorities

11. Example 2: Going beyond CIVITAS
The French network of CIVITAS cities
The Romanian network of CIVITAS cities
The UK and Ireland network of CIVITAS cities
To add value and establish national partnerships between authorities/organisations
To build new links and dialogue with the national governments to promote investment in sustainable transport measures
To raise awareness of successful CIVITAS measures in France, Romania, UK and Ireland

12. Example 3: The Covenant of Mayors for Sustainable Energy Cities
Launched on 29 January 2008 by the European Commission
Initiative involving citizens in the fight against global warming
Formal commitment of the adhering cities to go beyond the objectives of the EU in terms of reduction of CO2 emissions
Almost 100 cities throughout Europe, including 15 capital cities

13. Example 4: Hydrogen Bus Networks
Building on the very positive results in the CUTE/Ectos/Step and HyFleet:CUTE projects which have delivered beyond expectations : >2mKm, hours, millions of passengers
Hydrogen Bus Alliance - (currently 9 cities signed MoU) aiming at promoting the deployment of hydrogen buses worldwide
Linking with HyPath (HyFleet:CUTE) initiative to develop a roadmap for commercialisation of hydrogen buses
The International Partnership for the Hydrogen Economy (IPHE) also provides a platform for information exchange on hydrogen bus demonstrations

14. Example 5: The cities networks
Eurocities: network of more than 130 large cities in over 30 european countries
CEMR (Council of European Municipalities and Regions): largest organisation of local and regional government in Europe ( towns and regions from over 35 countries)
Polis: network of leading European cities and regions working together to develop innovative technologies and policies for local transport
URBACT programme: aims to develop exchanges of experience between European cities and the actors, which have been involved in the URBAN Programmes, initiated and implemented by the European Union since the late 1980s