EU progresses on sustainable urban development

3 December 2008, Brussels. The 27 urban development ministers of the European Union agreed on a reference framework for the implementation of the EU’s sustainable urban development goals regarding the environment, the economy and social issues. An integrated approach for the sustainable development of cities was called upon in the signing of the Leipzig Charter on Sustainable European Cities in May 2007. As a follow-up to last years’ commitment, EU ministers have now started a process for a common sustainable urban development policy. The framework will involve various stakeholders, so as to “break down barriers between sectoral policies and create links between national, regional and local policies”.

The EU French Presidency – boosting the process – is organizing the Cities Forum in Montpellier on 2 and 3 December, which will discuss the implementation of the Leipzig Charter. After this consultation, the final outline of the reference framework is to be defined by a high-level group. The final results will be presented in 2010.

The European Union has also recently announced the shortlist for the European Green Capital Award for 2010 and 2011. Eight cities have been selected out of the initial 35 applicants. The city best responding to the ten environmental indicators established by the evaluation panel will be the first European Green Capital ever. In the light of the International Year of Biodiversity 2010, Countdown 2010 will closely follow the outcomes of the competition.