18-04-2007

Historical town centres are not only important witnesses of European history, culture, identity and thus physical expression of the European model of society. They are in particular attractive locations for businesses, tourism, research, education and public institutions. Historical town centres combine central functions for a competitive, innovative and liveable development all over Europe and act as centres of economic and social integration.

But especially historical small and medium-sized towns are facing enormous challenges deriving from structural, technological, social and demographic change. In order to keep their role as motors for competitiveness and integration, new solutions have to be found: Urban development for the future is the motto! This is true just as well and especially for historical town centres.

For new aspects and discussions on this topic the city of Bamberg and the INTERREG III B-project ADHOC, initiated and managed by the Wüstenrot Haus- und Städtebau GmbH, invites you to an international symposium on 18 April 2007. ADHOC aims at developing innovative approaches for stabilising historical town centres as places of European identity, cultural diversity and economic development. The transnational co-operation project is promoted by the European Union and the Federal Ministry for Transport, Building and Urban Affairs.

The conference in Bamberg offers political, economic and administrative decision makers interesting insights into current issues and problems of sustainable urban development in the light of the German EU Presidency as well as the reorientation of the European Cohesion Policy. Beyond that, the presentation of the projects ADHOC and Hist.Urban, both funded by the European Union, will provide project-related impressions from the practice of transnational cooperation. By this combination of political and practical issues a European platform for sustainable development of historical old town centres shall be initiated.

Bamberg, Germany