EU role in the management of urban sprawl limited
In a Euractiv.com interview with Mr. Jean Marie Beaupuy, MEP and President ofthe parliamentary Urban-Housing Integroup, urban sprawl is described as one ofthe major challenges in Europe today. Politicians from all different levels facean important task in this respect. But what exactly is the role of the EuropeanUnion in the management of urban sprawl?
In the interview Mr. Beaupuy states that the European Union is not directlyresponsible for urban sprawl. However, he hopes that the issue will gain moreattention from EU officials. He stresses the importance of more studies into theproblem and the encouragement of local authorities to deal with it. Through forexample the structural funds and regulations on urban transport, the EU is nowalready able to contribute to solving issues related to urban sprawl. On the17th of October 2007 the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and theUrban-Housing Intergroup of the European Parliament organised a seminar in thelight of the launch of a book in the RICS Real Estate Issue series titled "Urban Sprawl in Europe - landscapes, land-use change & policy". Mr. Beaupuystates that these kinds of meetings tend to help the acceleration of EU activityin the field of urban sprawl.
Source: Euractiv
By: Simone Pekelsma,