In addition to the implementation of concrete local projects, one of the intentions in the frame of URBAN is to foster an active exchange of experience between and beyond the funded towns and cities. The aim is to disseminate the know-how acquired within URBAN. This idea was taken up by the German Association for Housing, URBAN and Spatial Development and together with the German Ministry for Economy and Technology (acting as national URBAN authority) as well as the German and Eastern German Savings Banks and Giro Association the network was founded involving all former URBAN I cities.

The German Austrian URBAN network organises a horizontal and vertical exchange of experiences and information of all public actors involved into the Community Initiative URBAN in Germany and Austria. The main objective of the network is to facilitate an intensive exchange of experience, the development of integrated approaches for resolving similar problems, the information about relevant town renewal activities at EU, federal and Länder levels as well as the political sensitisation and dissemination of the integrated URBAN-approach. In this context the main activities are network conferences, working group meetings as well as the publication of information material and position papers on the integrated approach of URBAN. In addition to a horizontal exchange between the URBAN cities, the vertical exchange of information and experience is especially important. It contributes to the process of formulating political demands and objectives - a process involving local authorities, regional and federal governments and the EU.

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The network is run by the German Association for Housing, Urban and Spatial Development an independent, neutral and cross-sector platform that involves the leading public and private organisations in the filed of housing, real estate, urban and regional planning and development.

The main objective is to support member cities in implementing their integrated concepts for revitalizing disadvantaged urban areas. The emphasis is on organizing an exchange of experiences, the development of solutions for similar problems as well as information on relevant urban renewal activities on different levels. In addition, a vertical exchange of information and experiences is especially important. It ensures a contribution to the process of formulating political demands and objectives - a process involving local, regional and federal governments as well as the EU. This is done for promoting the integrated urban development approach as well as the concerns of the network members.

Network conferences are the core element of the activities. Since the beginning, 35 network conferences have taken place in URBAN-cities. The conference topics are closely linked to the URBAN’s spheres of action: Business / employment promotion, improvement of facilities for social welfare, health and safety, improvement of infrastructure and environment, establishment of partnerships and public participation. Furthermore study groups are convened on the initiative of cities’ representatives on specific issues to work out optimised methods for solving problems in common with other towns and cities. Finally the network publishes publications (2 brochures), a webpage, position papers (e.g. “Acquis URBAN”) and a newsletter on EU policy.

The network coordinates its activities very closely with the respective Unit at the DG Regio. Moreover, the network is actively cooperating on a European level: with other national URBAN networks (e.g. in France, Italy, UK and the Netherlands) as well in the framework of the URBACT programme. The product of this European activities are for examples the European URBAN conferences in Straßburg (December 2003), in Saabrücken (June 2005) and Graz / Maribor (March 2006) where ways of URBAN-Mainstreaming were discussed and promoted.

Deutsch-Österreichisches URBAN Netzwerk c/o Deutscher Verband für Wohnungswesen, Städtebau und Raumordnung e.V.
Repräsentanz in Brüssel 47-51, Rue du Luxembourg
B-1050 Brüssel
Belgium
Phone: +32 2 550 16 10
urban@deutscher-verband.org
Dr. Lothar Blatt (Director), tel. +32 2 550 16 10

Christian Huttenloher (Coordinator), tel. +32 2 550 16 10

network

Urban Policy

Social inclusion & integration, Urban environment, Economy knowledge & employment