"CoR Forum on the EU-Urban Agenda"

Transcription

1 PRELIMINARY DRAFT PROGRAMME "CoR Forum on the EU-Urban Agenda" Amsterdam (The Netherlands), Monday 30 May 2016 Towns, cities and urban areas are of crucial importance for the European Union. They are powerful engines for growth and jobs and as such make a significant contribution towards achieving both the Europe 2020 Strategy and the economic, social and territorial development of the EU. However, at the same time they are confronted with difficult and complex societal challenges, such as demographic shifts, climate change and youth unemployment as well as the current refugee crisis. To be successful, towns and cities need to respond to these challenges in an integrated way, in cooperation with other levels of administration, the private sector and civil society. It is also important that the urban dimension is recognised at all levels of policy making and governance and that all policies with an urban dimension are effectively coordinated. The new EU Urban Agenda should improve the quality of life in urban areas but also the EU governance. It is about new working methods. It is time for a more integrated approach to EU policy making and legislation that affect towns, cities and urban areas, in order to eliminate existing overlaps and inconsistencies, and to involve towns and cities and local and regional authorities more closely in the preparation of that policy. In this light, the EU Urban Agenda is intended to provide an operational framework and effective instruments to horizontally improve the urban dimension in European policymaking. This includes better policies, territorial impact assessment, more tailor made and place sensitive EU-funds. It also includes opportunities to exchange knowledge and best practices, research and cooperation. The EU COR-2016-version TCD(EN) 1/7 Rue Belliard/Belliardstraat Bruxelles/Brussel BELGIQUE/BELGIË Tel Fax The EU's Assembly of Regional and Local Representatives EN

2 Urban Agenda shall be taken forward in close partnership among Member States, the European institutions, regional and urban authorities and other stakeholders. Against this background, the European Committee of the Regions is organising a Forum on the EU Urban Agenda in the Westergasfabriek in Amsterdam on Monday 30 May The event will be organized together with the Association of Netherlands Municipalities, the Association of the Provinces of the Netherlands, the City of Amsterdam and the Province of Noord-Holland. The Forum on the EU Urban Agenda will bring together representatives of local and regional authorities, EU institutions, Member States and relevant stakeholders. They will discuss the concrete steps that are needed to implement the EU Urban Agenda and to improve the urban dimension in EU policy making. The Forum will be held back to back to the informal meeting of Ministers responsible for urban matters, where the envisaged "Pact of Amsterdam" on the EU Urban Agenda is expected to be adopted hrs. Registration of participants hrs. Opening session: Why do we need an EU Urban Agenda? The opening session will set the scene for the CoR Forum and outline the rationale for the EU Urban Agenda. In this context, the following aspects should be specifically highlighted: The challenges and opportunities that European cities and urban areas face in the 21st century; The need for better regulation, better funding and better knowledge and the contribution of the EU Urban Agenda to the Better Regulation Agenda of the European Commission; The growth potential of the EU Urban Agenda. Professional moderator (name tbc) Potential speakers: Mr. Eberhard van der Laan, Mayor of Amsterdam Mr. Markku Markkula, President of the European Committee of the Regions Ms. Kerstin Westphal, MEP, rapporteur on "The urban dimension of EU policies" Mr. Frans Timmermans, First Vice-President of the European Commission (in case he is not available a Member of the Dutch Governement or Mr. Frans van Houten, CEO of Philips) Mr. Benjamin B. Barber, Author of "If Mayors Ruled the World?" hrs. Coffee break hrs. Parallel Sessions: Key elements of the EU Urban Agenda Session 1: Smart and Innovative Cities Session 2: Green Cities COR-2016-version TCD(EN) 2/7

3 The four thematic sessions (two in the morning part, two in the afternoon) will facilitate an interactive and moderated discussion with e.g. CoR members, MEPs, representatives of the Dutch government, the European Commission and experts on the different key elements of the EU Urban Agenda. Note on the format: At the beginning of each session, a short video of maximum 2 minutes will introduce into the topic from the perspective of Dutch cities. After this introduction, 2-3 urban examples on how to approach the issue will be presented (one speaker for each example, about 3 minutes each). After a quick round of comments, the debate among all panellists and the audience will be facilitated by a professional moderator in an interactive way. At the end of each discussion, the relevant CoR commission Chair will provide a closing statement, thus wrapping up the discussion and highlighting the most important aspects from a CoR point of view. Session 1: Smart and Innovative Cities Stimulating growth and jobs at local level This session will in particular explore how urban areas can stimulate economic growth and the creation of jobs. Especially, the session will focus on the way cities can work together with local partners such as enterprises and knowledge institutions in the triple helix, using smart technologies and ICT to stimulate innovation. Does the EU provide the cities with all necessary instruments and funding to fulfil their role as engines of EU s economy? Professional moderator (name tbc) Introduction of urban examples: Representative of the EPI Smart Cities and Communities Representative of European Network of Living Labs EUniverCities Network: Mr. Bas Verkerk, Mayor of Delft; or Mr. Thomas Kastrup-Larsen, Mayor of Aalborg; or Mr. José Ribau Esteves, mayor of Aveiro (only one of them) N.N., European Commission DG CNECT Ms. Neelie Kroes, Former EU Commissioner and ambassador for StartUp Delta Chair of the CoR COTER Commission Session 2: Green Cities This session will provide a platform to discuss aspects of sustainable urban development, in particular sustainable urban mobility, green infrastructure & nature based solutions, as well as climate change mitigation & adaptation. Urban areas are the biggest consumers of energy, as well as polluters of the water, soil and air. On the other side cities take their responsibility in order to create a sustainable environment for their citizens by all kind of measures, e.g. clean public transport, local energy supply based on renewables, etc. How can the EU facilitate the cities and urban areas in becoming more sustainable in order to reach the COP21 objectives? COR-2016-version TCD(EN) 3/7

4 Professional moderator (name tbc) Introduction of urban examples: Manuela Carmen Castrillo, Mayor of the City of Madrid and President of Polis Representative of Lubljana (European Green Capital 2016) Representative of the Covenant of Mayors Mr. Íñigo de la Serna, President of CEMR, Mayor of Santander N.N., European Commission DG MOVE Mr. Marc Frequin, Director-General for Mobility and Transport in the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment Chair of the CoR ENVE Commission hrs. Lunch During lunch participants can have a look at the local showcase of Amsterdam electric the proactive strategy for facilitating electric vehicles. This can be visited outside at the Westergasfabriek. (Organised by the City of Amsterdam.). During the lunch break, two study visits will be offered by the City of Amsterdam (restricted participation) Study visit 1: Smart city, 3D printing initiatives in Amsterdam Region Amsterdam is stimulating the fast-growing 3D printing industry, including three top initiatives. The 3D Print Canal House is a design-by-doing project in which an actual-size canalside house is being printed live. 3D Makers Zone is a center of excellence where innovative companies and teaching institutions collaborate intelligently. MX3D is going to print a bridge over one of the canals, using self-developed technology for 3D printing in an open space. (Location: Haarlem Waarderpolder, 20 min. by coach, organised by the City of Amsterdam) Study visit 2: Green city, Sustainable area development Houthavens The new Houthaven residential area (2,500 homes on seven residential islands) is being developed as 100% climate-neutral. All the energy required by the area is being generated sustainably and locally. This is made possible by an extension of the renewable district heating grid, and an innovative way of using cold water from the IJ to cool renewably. Alongside the climateneutral homes under construction, there will also be homes that supply energy. (Location: 10 min. by coach or 20 min. walking, organised by the City of Amsterdam) COR-2016-version TCD(EN) 4/7

5 14.30 hrs. Parallel Sessions: Key elements of the EU Urban Agenda Session 3: Inclusive Cities Session 4: Functional urban areas and urban-rural linkages Session 3: Inclusive Cities: Cities are hotspots of growth and jobs. They generate up to 85% of Europe s GDP. These urban areas are the engines of the European economy. But they are also places where persistent social problems, such as unemployment, segregation and poverty, are at their most severe. What do cities undertake to fight urban poverty? How do they deal with social issues such as demographic change, the impacts of migration on cities and affordable housing? Does the EU involve cities enough in achieving their objectives of growth and jobs? What is an inclusive city and what should the EU learn from this concept? Professional moderator (name tbc) Introduction of urban examples: European Cities of Social innovation (contributions from the cities of Dortmund, Vienna, Bilbao and Tilburg) European network of city makers: Ms. Amalia Zepou, vice mayor for civil society, Athens; or Mr. Levente Polyak, KÉK Lataklan Project, Budapest. Professor Jan Vranken, Centre on inequality, poverty, social exclusion and the city, University of Antwerp or Mr. Bart Somers, Member of the Flemish Parliament, CoR rapporteur on Combatting Radicalisation and Violent Extremism: Prevention mechanisms at local and regional level Ms. Johanna Rolland, President of Eurocities (Ms Rolland is mayor of Nantes, France is lead partner of the respective partnership under the EU Urban Agenda) N.N., European Commission, DG EMPL N.N., European Investment Bank Chair of the CoR SEDEC Commission Session 4: Functional urban areas and urban-rural linkages Today, in order to make life easier for their citizens, cities cooperate more and more with neighbouring municipalities within functional regions to organise traffic and public transport, spatial planning, green spaces and the economy on an appropriate scale. Cooperation between urban areas and the surrounding countryside is crucial in this regard. These functional urban-rural linkages COR-2016-version TCD(EN) 5/7

6 require a different governance model and an integrated approach based on long-term views. What kind of models for functional regions can we distinguish and what are the lessons the EU should draw from the establishment of these agglomerations or functional regions? Furthermore, it must not be forgotten that these urban systems can include territory from more than one Member State. Special attention must be paid to the specific issues that arise in these crossborder urban areas. How does the EU respond to this concept of cross-border cooperation? Is the European governance model well equipped for this kind of functional regions? Professional moderator (name tbc) Introduction of regional examples: Mr. Michiel Rijsberman, Member of the Executive Council of the Province of Flevoland and on behalf of the Association of the Provinces in the Netherlands responsible for the Urban Agenda Ms. Helyn Clack, President of the Purple network Mr. Cees Loggen, Member of the Executive Council of the Province of Noord-Holland and member of the Political Bureau of CPMR Mr. Jan Olbrycht, MEP, Chair of the Urban Intergroup in the European Parliament Mr. Walter Deffaa, Director General, DG REGIO Mr. Joaquim Oliveira, Head of the Regional Development Policy Division, or Ms. Claire Charbit, OECD Chair of the CoR NAT Commission hrs. Coffee break hrs. Panel debate: How do we move forward on the EU Urban Agenda? The informal meeting of Ministers responsible for urban matters, which will be held in parallel to the CoR Forum on the EU Urban Agenda, is expected to adopt the "Pact of Amsterdam" establishing the EU Urban Agenda. The final session of the CoR Forum aims to invite the high-level participants of the informal ministerial meeting to report back from the meeting and to discuss with them the next steps on how to implement the EU Urban Agenda. a professional moderator Feedback from the four thematic sessions: Mr. Karl-Heinz Lambertz, 1st Vice President of the European Committee of the Regions Potential speakers (Panel debate): COR-2016-version TCD(EN) 6/7

7 Ms. Hella Dunger-Löper, State Secretary, Representative of the Land of Berlin to the Federal Government with Responsibility for European Affairs, CoR rapporteur on "Concrete steps for implementing the EU Urban Agenda" Mr. Markku Markkula, President of the European Committee of the Regions Ms. Iskra Mihaylova, MEP, Chair of the EP REGI committee Ms. Corina Creţu, Commissioner for Regional Policy Mr. Ronald Plasterk, Dutch Minister for the Interior and Kingdom Relations Mr. László Baranyay, Vice-President of the European Investment Bank hrs. Closing of the conference Closing statements by Mr. Ahmed Aboutaleb, Mayor of Rotterdam Mr. Ivo Nesrovnal, Mayor of Bratislava hrs. End of conference Venue Westergasfabriek - Zuiveringshal West Pazzanistraat DB Amsterdam The Netherlands Interpreting arrangements To be confirmed COR-2016-version TCD(EN) 7/7