Globalisation, technological developments, increasing competition and climate change are some of the major challenges that currently affect all port-cities regardless of size or location. To answer these challenges, further efforts must be undertaken – particularly to improve the capacities for innovation, to enhance the efficiency of social inclusion and labour market integration and to intensify international relations. Dealing with these tasks, the European port cities have learnt to adjust to the conditions of the 21st century. Today they have become a European laboratory for the modern city in a globalised knowledge society.

The report based on the NEW EPOC-Project (reNEWing Economic Prosperity for pOrt Cities). NEW EPOC is the result of cooperation among partners in the " Maritime Cities Network" (MCN). Originally created in 1998 by four port cities from Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK, the MCN has expanded its network since then and set up several european projects.NEW EPOC's ultimate objective is to provide decision-makers in port cities with a set of tools based on the comparative analysis of efficient policies, successful strategies and good practices. The toolbox will open up new perspectives, offering a methodology for securing economic success in the maritime city taking full account of relevant environmental and social factors. In 2007 the toolbox will be upgraded by a self-assessment tool for public use.

The findings and interpretations, as well as the final conclusions, are the summarized results of an analysis carried out during the New EPOC project on the basis of statistical data, detailed questionnaires on strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats, strategies; so called “city profiles”; expert workshops and seminars; site visits and on-site surveys; other documents and materials from different sources. All information and material has been systematically documented in the New EPOC tool-set, which is another outcome of the New EPOC project. This is accessible for public use under the web-address www.new-epoc.net.

Interreg IIIC; Proj. New EPOC; 1,667 Mio Euro total funding

At the end of intense discussions and analyses involving 10 European port cities there is a good news story: Despite all problems with industrial decline and economic crisis the European port-cities are emerging as modern maritime cities with strongly performing ports, but also new economic sectors like high tech production, science and research, tourism, culture and other modern services.

University of Bremen, Institute Labour and Economy
Universitätsallee 21-23
28359 Bremen
Germany
Phone: +49(0)421-218-3281
Fax: +49(0)421-218-2680
info@iaw.uni-bremen.de
http://www.iaw.uni-bremen.de/
Dr. Günter Warsewa (Project Manager), tel. +49(0)421-218-4207

01/07/2003

01/06/2006

Dr. Günter Warsewa

research

Urban Policy > Urban environment > Urban renewal

Waterside development, Brownfield development