EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - Fostering the urban dimension: Analysis of the Operational Programmes co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (2007-2013)

Fostering the urban dimension: Analysis of the Operational Programmes co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (2007-2013)

Introduction

Cities and metropolitan areas are the engines of Europe's economic development. They are also the frontline in the battle against obstacles to growth and employment – especially social exclusion and environmental degradation. Cohesion Policy plays and will continue to play an important role in the development of Europe's towns and cities. This role expands in the new 2007-2013 programming period as the urban dimension is now fully integrated into the ERDF Operational Programmes. Building on the experience and strengths of the URBAN Community Initiative, Member States and regions have been given the possibility to design, program and implement tailor-made, integrated development operations in all European cities.

Description

Two generations of URBAN Community Initiative programmes have demonstrated this integrated approach in around 200 cities across Europe. Elements such as cross-sectoral coordination of actions, strong horizontal partnerships, increased local responsibilities and the concentration of funding on selected target areas constitute key success factors of the URBAN Community Initiative, and a common European "Acquis Urbain". The current programming period takes up this successful approach, and suggests spreading this methodological concept to cities and regions across Europe. The impact of programmed operations will strongly depend on a sufficient connection between local development policies and European targets. Regional and national urban policies signify important links in this context.

Based on the analysis of all 316 ERDF Operational Programmes of all three EU Cohesion Policy Objectives, this Working Document draws the first picture of how different aspects of urban development have been taken up in the 2007-2013 programming period. The analysis is limited to programmes co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and does not touch upon other European funds. It subsequently also does not capture all sectoral interventions which might have impact on cities and on urban development.

Publication date

25/03/2009

Click here to download the policy document (PDF 1763 kb)

Document type

policy

Themes

Urban Policy

Keywords