EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - Levers of public action for the development of sustainable cities

Levers of public action for the development of sustainable cities

Introduction

In the past twenty years, several policy initiatives at European, national and local level aimed at the establishment of more sustainable cities have been studies by urban researchers. The term itself needs some clarification. In general, the concept of a sustainable city embraces principles of sustainable development and of ecological urbanism. In these principles the general aim is to improve social, economic, environmental and cultural living condition of citizens. In many cases, these improvements also aim active participation of citizens involved.

Description

Despite the enormous amount of literature on “sustainability”, the concept of “sustainable cities” is not always precisely defined. Until this moment we do not have a clear set of objectives, criteria, indicators, principles and methods to define “sustainable cities”. As a consequence many cities nowadays declare themselves “sustainable” and the inspiring, motivating and challenging concept of sustainable cities tends to lose its power. In the light of this development the European ministers responsible for spatial development and urban policy adopted on 24th May 2007 the recommendations of the “Leipzig Charter on Sustainable European Cities” at an informal meeting of the Ministers responsible for urban and spatial development.

Publication date

25/03/2009

Project finished

25/03/2009

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Document type

research

Themes

Urban Policy

Keywords