January Headlines - click to see the full story

31/1/2010 - 20 years of support for urban development
30/1/2010 - New deadline for the PEWTA Awards applications: 8 February!
29/1/2010 - Renewable Revolution: Low-Carbon Energy by 2030
28/1/2010 - The Euro-Mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly (ARLEM) is born
27/1/2010 - Tour of Cuba and Havana Urban Design Charrette
27/1/2010 - CEMR president welcomes hearing of designate regional policy commissionner
26/1/2010 - Google and UN-HABITAT Partnership to Improve Data Collection
25/1/2010 - Fighting urban poverty in Europe
25/1/2010 - RegioStars 2010 finalists announced
24/1/2010 - State of the Cities Reports in Africa internationally supported
24/1/2010 - 2011-2015: LEED to contribute to creating more and better quality jobs
24/1/2010 - Labelled buildings are talking buildings
23/1/2010 - CEMR Secretary General Jeremy Smith ends his mandate
23/1/2010 - Top 10 Transportation Topics for 2010
22/1/2010 - The City Without a Planning Department
22/1/2010 - Ocean Garbage Strategic Plan Released
21/1/2010 - ELENA: new grant facility for local government sustainable energy projects
21/1/2010 - UN-HABITAT Executive Director named a trustee of the Aga Khan University
20/1/2010 - Cities on the edge stand tall
19/1/2010 - Morocco considers regionalisation
18/1/2010 - Local authorities' campaigner passes away
17/1/2010 - European summit of local governance (Barcelona)
16/1/2010 - 4TH UCLG WORLD CONGRESS 2013 CALL FOR CANDIDACIES
15/1/2010 - EU Spanish Presidency Summit to feature cities’ international work
15/1/2010 - City mayors and MEPs work together on urban development in Europe
14/1/2010 - Capital cities commit to 41% emissions cut by 2020
14/1/2010 - Register to URBACT CityLab on Metropolitan Governance!
13/1/2010 - Beginning of the GOAL project
13/1/2010 - Korea to launch e-gov services via IPTV
13/1/2010 - Night noise guidelines for Europe
12/1/2010 - Private city - keep out
12/1/2010 - New York: Engaging Newcomers in City Parks
11/1/2010 - Commission launches consultation on "EU 2020"
10/1/2010 - Call for Speakers - New Towns Conference
9/1/2010 - Action Plan on urban mobility of the European Commission
8/1/2010 - Cities and Resilience: summary report and policy brief
8/1/2010 - Mexico City Mayor Marcelo Ebard New Chair of the World Mayors Council
7/1/2010 - Four town twinning projects worth their weight in gold!
7/1/2010 - Living the Parking Lot Lifestyle
6/1/2010 - Disconnected from Society? Gated Communities: Their Lifestyle versus Urban Governance
6/1/2010 - As Governments Failed, the Onus is on Us
5/1/2010 - UNEP and ICLEI Launch "carbonn" Climate Center
5/1/2010 - Cities must be empowered to tackle climate change
4/1/2010 - Global slowdown, local solutions: international comparisons
4/1/2010 - 1,000th city joins the Covenant of Mayors!

20 years of support for urban development
The European Commission is organising a conference on 4 February in Brussels to mark 20 years of EU support for urban development. This will provide an opportunity to review the experience acquired since the launch of the URBAN initiative’s first pilot projects in 1989. The cohesion policy will invest a total of €10 billion in the period 2007-2013 in urban development throughout Europe. http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/conferences/urban_20years/index_en.htm

New deadline for the PEWTA Awards applications: 8 February!
Applicants will get a chance to gain EU-wide recognition for their work with the Pan-European Workplace Travel Award.
The Pan-European Workplace Travel Award organised in a partnership between EPOMM, the European Platform on Mobility Management, and COMMERCE recognise efforts to implement workplace mobility plans in three categories: public authorities, employers, and networks.
Applicants will get a chance to gain EU-wide recognition and to win:
- an expenses paid trip to a city to learn from a pioneer public authority, organisation or network in workplace mobility plans,
- a cash prize of €1000 to further develop mobility plan measures.
The official award ceremony will be organised alongside the European Conference on Mobility Management, ECOMM, which will take place in Graz on 5-7 May in 2010. Short-listed candidates will be invited to attend the ECOMM.
The winners 2008 and 2009 were:
• Employers - ST Microelectronics Grenoble (FR), City of Göteborg (SE)
• Public Authorities - Grenoble Alpes Metropole (FR), WESTTRANS (UK)
• Networks – Geneva International Airport (CH)
The awards have given winners the opportunity to use the cash prize for: buying a Brompton folding bike for staff within the airport (Geneva Airport), preparing a workshop to educate and introduce with the video conference facilities to reduce physical travel (City of Göteborg) or contributing to a mapping project to offer cheap production of leaflets on local public transport, walking and cycling routes to all the businesses in the area (Westrans Travel Plans)
Application forms available on the EPOMM website www.epomm.org section “Awards”.

Renewable Revolution: Low-Carbon Energy by 2030
The Worldwatch Institute has published a new report entitled "Renewable Revolution: Low-Carbon Energy by 2030" and authored by Janet L. Sawin and William R. Moomaw.
Monika Zimmermann, Coordinator of ICLEI's Local Renewables Initiative, has supported the report as a contributing author.
The report can be download from the Institute's website http://www.worldwatch.org/files/pdf/Renewable%20Revolution.pdf

The Euro-Mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly (ARLEM) is born
The Euro-Mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly (ARLEM) was launched in Barcelona on 21 January 010.
ARLEM is a permanent, joint assembly, bringing together local and regional authorities from the three shores of the Mediterranean. At the inaugural session, mayors of major cities from the European Union and the Mediterranean partner countries underlined the need to go beyond existing traditional diplomatic relations by launching concrete cooperation programmes on issues such as de-pollution of the Mediterranean; maritime and land highways; civil protection; alternative energies ; higher education and research, Euro-Mediterranean university; the Mediterranean business development initiative.
Its structure is twofold, along the lines of what was done at the national parliamentary level with the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly. It is composed of 84 members. http://www.ccre.org/news_detail_en.htm?ID=1766

Tour of Cuba
14 - 20 March 2010
The Cuban and Scandinavian chapters of INTBAU in partnership with the Academy of Urbanism (UK) and C.E.U. - Council for European Urbanism invite you to join a one week tour of three Cuban cities and UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Havana, Trinidad and Cienfuegos.
An Introduction to the History of Cuban Architecture and Urbanism
The one week tour March 14-20 will give you an introduction to the history of Urbanism and Architecture of Havana, Cienfuegos and Trinidad, all listed as UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. We will study the restoration and regeneration of Old Havana and go on one day tours by bus to two smaller historic towns, Trinidad and Cienfuegos.
Our expert guide will be Prof. Julio Cesar Perez, who has been a speaker at several INTBAU and C.E.U. conferences. A Loeb Fellow at Harvard Graduate School of Design 2001-2002 and Adjunct Professor at the School of Architecture in Havana, he has lectured widely in the US and Europe about Cuban architecture. He is also the author of the major book “INSIDE CUBA”, published by Taschen in 2006. Julio Cesar Perez was also our tour guide in 2007, 2008 and 2009.
Who is it for: Architects, planners, art historians, antiquarians, writers, students, others with an interest in the history of Cuban architecture, urbanism and culture, and anybody who wants to discover better ways to make cities for people.
Havana Urban Design Charrette: The week following the tour, we will arrange an urban design charrette in Havana 22 -27 March 2010. You are welcome to join one of the events, or both
Registration: The Registration fee for tour program is 670 £ / GBP (approx. 740 Euro, 1100 US $) with single room accommodation. For two persons sharing a room the individual cost is 600 £ / GBP.
The registration fee includes:
- Seven nights accommodation in Casa Particular (rooms for rent in private apartments),
- Bus and walking tours of Havana, Cienfuegos and Trinidad. Travel by bus from Havana to Trinidad and Cienfuegos.
- Expert guiding by Prof. Julio Cesar Perez all week, and by local experts at some of the locations.
- Travel to Cuba and meals are not included.
Website for detailed program and registration: http://www.intbau.org/cubatour2010.htm
Havana Urban Design Charrette 22 - 27 March : http://www.intbau.org/havanacharrette2010.htm
For additional information, please contact Audun Engh, INTBAU Scandinavia, Oslo, Norway; audun.engh@gmail.com Tel. +47.92622626

CEMR president welcomes hearing of designate regional policy commissionner
"We liked the score, but we have not heard the music yet". This was the reaction of the president of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) after the hearing of Johannes Hahn for the post of EU Commissioner for Regional Policy.
I welcome Johannes Hahn's statement that local and regional authorities are the engine of economic and social development in Europe, said Michael Haüpl. I therefore hope that the new European Commission will fully take into account the concerns of our towns and regions. This for two reasons: to enable them to fulfil their tasks, but as importantly in the interest of our citizens.
The main message delivered by the regional policy commissioner-designate during his hearing was that regional policy is a success story. Johannes Hahn strongly advocated a strategic and integrated approach to regional policy, highlighting his opposition to any attempts to renationalise it.
Responding to a question by MEP and CEMR executive president Oldøich Vlasák on how to better involve local and regional authorities, Mr Hahn strongly favoured more active involvement of towns and regions.

Google and UN-HABITAT Partnership to Improve Data Collection
UN-HABITAT and internet giant Google have entered a partnership aimed at improving services offered by the Zanzibar Water Authority.
The project aims at improving access to information on water coverage, assessing the level of satisfaction by customers and evaluating efficiency in the delivery of services by the authority. The initiative is experimenting with the use of mobile phone networks to report faults in water supply systems and track efficiency in maintenance response through a web-based information system.
Inaugurating the project in Makadara location of Zanzibar last week, UN-HABITAT Executive Director Mrs. Anna Tibaijuka urged the residents to use the facilities well and ensure they are well maintained. In the first phase of the project, a total of 50 water points have been constructed in schools, hospitals and other public facilities in the western part of Unguja island and will be managed and maintained by local communities.
http://www.unhabitat.org/content.asp?cid=7751&catid=5&typeid=6&subMenuId=0

Fighting urban poverty in Europe
Local governments use European Year to highlight poverty and social exclusion in cities
With 2010 designated as the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion, the time is ripe for cities to highlight the urban dimension of poverty and exclusion and to showcase the solutions they are developing to help ensure that all citizens have access to good standards of living and can play a full part in society.
EUROCITIES’ Inclusive Cities campaign for the European Year kicked off at our annual conference in Stockholm last November, where the mayors from Europe’s biggest cities discussed ways in which to work with other levels of government, and in partnership with local communities as well as private entities in order to build on the successes of work carried out by city authorities in this area.
Many European cities face persistent problems of poverty and exclusion, which are often deepest felt in deprived urban neighbourhoods. Based on the input from over 20 cities, a report recently produced by EUROCITIES on poverty, exclusion and inequality in European cities explores these problems, in particular areas such as child poverty, housing and digital exclusion, and outlines concrete steps that cities are taking to respond to these. The report will guide EUROCITIES’ activities and events planned for 2010, which will aim to raise awareness of the issues at hand.

RegioStars 2010 finalists announced
RegioStars – the awards for innovative projects - is an annual event to recognise and reward innovative projects supported by EU cohesion policy. RegioStars 2010 has seen a record 87 applications from project promoters and regions from all 27 Member States. This year six awards are on offer in three broad areas: two "CityStar" awards, three awards in ICT themes and one Information and Communication award. The RegioStars Jury, under the chairmanship of Dr Jan OLBRYCHT MEP, has now chosen 24 finalists across the six categories. These finalists are listed here :
http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/cooperation/interregional/ecochange/doc/stars2010_finalist.doc

State of the Cities Reports in Africa internationally supported
African countries are experiencing some of the most rapid urbanisation rates in the world. According to projections of the United Nations, the urban population of sub-Saharan Africa will increase from 387 million in 2010 to 705 million in 2025. In the face of this impressive urbanisation trend, African countries and cities are increasingly seeking access to knowledge and capacity that will enable them to manage growth in a sustainable and equitable way. Because of that, several international institutions including the Cities Alliance, Urban LandMark, the World Bank and UN-Habitat have agreed to co-finance an initiative to support the development of State of the Cities Reports in sub-Saharan Africa. The State of the Cities Reports have become internationally acknowledged as useful analytical tools in urban development.
The proposal for the initiative was submitted to the Cities Alliance by the University of Cape Town and sponsored by the UK Department for International Development (DFID), the Ethiopian Ministry of Works and Urban Development, the South African National Department of Housing, UN-Habitat and the World Bank. It was formally approved on 12 November 2009.
The initiative will be hosted by the University of Cape Town, South Africa. The University’s African Centre for Cities will serve as the lead implementing partner and will collaborate with the African Association of Planning Schools, the South African Cities Network (SACN), and other African partners. Financial partners include the Urban LandMark and the Cities Alliance, with the World Bank and UN-Habitat as the lead members providing support to the initiative.
The new initiative seeks to develop 30 State of the Cities Reports, at least one per country, and support the creation of an African urban knowledge network over 10 years. The process of developing State of the Cities Reports should form a basis for building urban knowledge and organisational capacity among African urban policy makers, planners and practitioners. It will do so by creating access to international best practice, providing more detailed knowledge and information about a country’s urban realities, and establishing a framework for rapidly increasing skills and capabilities in urban management and delivery.

2011-2015: LEED to contribute to creating more and better quality jobs
The LEED governing board recently adopted a new mandate which feeds directly into the OECD strategic objectives following the global crisis. In the recovery, economic prosperity and social cohesion will depend on the ability of our economies to generate sufficient employment, with possibilities for progression and accessibility for all. An integrated, cross-sector approach involving both labour market policy and economic development at the local level will be crucial to building better quality jobs in the recovery.

Labelled buildings are talking buildings
Display “Towards Class A”: The European Award for creative communication campaigns in buildings
Your municipality is “display”ing an energy certificate in its buildings? And, more than that, it has launched a much broader awareness-raising campaign on the energy performance? If so, Energie-Cités’ Display® Campaign team awaits your application to the 2010 TCA Awards. The deadline for applications is 26th March 2010!
No matter the means, messages or materials to be used. What really counts is the applicant’s commitment and originality in communicating the topic to building users and the public.
The six finalists will be invited to personally present their campaign to the international jury on the 28th of April in Salerno (Italy). The official Award Ceremony will take place that same day during the opening night of Energie-Cités’ Annual Rendezvous.
Participation in the Display Campaign is not a precondition for submitting an application.
Application form available at: http://www.display-campaign.org/about844

CEMR Secretary General Jeremy Smith ends his mandate
On 31st December 2009, Jeremy Smith ended his 8 year mandate as secretary general of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) - the pan-European umbrella organisation for national associations of local and regional governments.
CEMR President Michael Häupl, Mayor of Vienna, speaking on behalf of CEMR's 38-country membership, paid tribute to Jeremy Smith stating that his really important leadership role on behalf of local and regional authorities across Europe – including his work to make sure that the Treaty of Lisbon, for the first time in the EU's history, recognises local and regional government as key partners in European governance. Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, previous CEMR President, added his appreciation in a personal message to Mr Smith.

Top 10 Transportation Topics for 2010
As America enters a new decade, what will be the buzz about transportation? Clearly a safe, efficient, and viable transportation network should be at the forefront of issues facing policymakers at all levels of government and in all areas of our society in the coming months.
''In the year 2010, we'll be seeing more job-creating construction zones on our highways, but we will still need a long-term solution to address everything from fixing potholes to making needed repairs to our aging infrastructure,'' said Larry ''Butch'' Brown, president of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and executive director of the Mississippi Department of Transportation. ''Even more critically for the long-term health of this nation, 2010 must also be about how smart we become at enabling goods and products to get from one point to another with speed and efficiency.''
Looking ahead, AASHTO has developed a list of the top ten transportation topics that it forecasts will be part of the national conversation in 2010 – in the media, in government and around the dinner table. Topics include: adopting a long-term transportation funding bill; adopting a new jobs creation bill; deterring distracted drivers; ensuring safer roads; moving on high-speed rail grants; taking action to address climate change; responding to increased congestion due to capacity issues; adopting social media to provide traffic and travel information; enhancing safety through roadway improvements and technology; and creating more livable communities.

The City Without a Planning Department
Petaluma, California, made headlines last year when it got rid of its planning department. The Architect's Newspaper takes a look at how the city is adapting to contract-based planning through hired consultants.
"As far back as April 2008, shortly after he took office, Petaluma City Manager John Brown said, 'We considered an alternate solution using in-house staff, but the privatized solution offered more flexibility.' On July 9, a one-year consulting contract was awarded to the Metropolitan Planning Group (M-Group). Brown said the firm was selected because of its extensive experience with nearby municipalities—the firm consults with about a dozen Bay Area cities, including Cupertino and Santa Clara.
The move is still fodder for local discussion, as well as for the larger planning community. Petaluma-based architect Mark Albertson, who sits on the board of directors for the Redwood Empire Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, said the changes caused consternation in the tightly knit community of nearly 60,000."
The city still has one planner on staff. http://www.planetizen.com/news/redirect_new.php?id=42522-0

Ocean Garbage Strategic Plan Released
Officials in Hawaii have unveiled a strategic plan for removing garbage and debris from the ocean near the Hawaiian Archipelago.
The plan was developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and a variety of local and environmental groups. Garbage and debris in the ocean has been a growing problem, especially since the discovery of a massive floating patch of plastic garbage was discovered in the Pacific Ocean.
"The Hawaiian Archipelago acts as a giant comb, collecting large swaths of marine debris circulating on ocean currents in the Pacific. Whales, turtles, monk seals and seabirds can be killed, injured or made sick when they eat or become entangled in marine debris, which also can damage coral reefs.
In addition, marine debris can create navigation hazards and threaten public health and safety.
Morishige said many of the partners who helped develop the Hawai'i Marine Debris Plan already are involved in debris removal, research, education and prevention activities."

ELENA: new grant facility for local government sustainable energy projects
The European Commission and the European Investment Bank (EIB) have launched an initiative to help city and regional authorities invest in renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives.
The European Local Energy Assistance facility, ELENA, can cover up to 90% of the costs associated with technical assistance for preparing large sustainable investment programmes, which may also be eligible for funding from the EIB. The ELENA budget consists of €15 million for the first year of operation.
In particular investments in public and private buildings, urban transport and local energy infrastructure such as smart electricity grids, energy efficient ICT and charging points for electric cars, would potentially qualify for ELENA assistance. Ideally the proposals are different from the mainstream investment programmes, this can be achieved by increasing the scale for example. Other important aspects are a well developed bankability of the investment programme proposed to the EIB, and a replication potential for other cities. Finally, only investment programmes contributing to the ‘20-20-20’ EU objectives; a 20% reduction of greenhouse gases, 20% increase of energy efficiency and 20% of the energy used is renewable energy compared to 1990, are eligible.
Applications for ELENA assistance run through the EIB and the European Commission. The assistance facility is open to signatories and non-signatories to the Covenant of Mayors. Only public bodies in eligible countries can apply, other entities can be involved to implement the investment programme.
For a full set of eligibility requirements, the application procedure and Frequently Asked Questions please visit the EIB website dedicated to ELENA on the link provided. In case of additional questions you can directly contact the EIB by writing to elena@eib.org

UN-HABITAT Executive Director named a trustee of the Aga Khan University.
A letter from the Chancellor His Highness the Aga Khan said Mrs. Tibaijuka’s choice was based on her wide experience and deep understanding of issues affecting developing countries.
“Your deep understanding of the multiple complexities of developing countries, in addition to your familiarity with Africa, from issues at the grassroots to those on an international scale, and the breadth of experience in addressing these issues with government and civil society organisations will, I am confident, greatly benefit the Aga Khan University at this exciting time of its development,” the Aga Khan said.

Cities on the edge stand tall
Unloved and unrepentant: Europe's rebellious port cities have always been marked by a strong sense of their own identity. In 2006 six of them grouped together to form "Cities on the edge," a cultural network that celebrates pride in local differences.
The idea first emerged in 2005 in Liverpool, when the port city, which holds national records for crime and unemployment, was nominated to become the 2008 European Capital of Culture. Instead of trying to sweep it under the carpet, the Beatles' hometown decided to turn its bad reputation to its advantage, and form an association with its equally disreputable European cousins. Two men were behind the scheme: the leader of the 2008 project, Bob Scott, who wanted to add a European dimension to his programme, and Franco Bianchini, an Italian academic and Liverpool resident, who came up with the concept of highlighting the common destiny — the same handicaps, the same raffish charm, and the same scandalous reputation — of Liverpool, Naples and Marseilles. To develop the network, Istanbul was approached, not just because it was foreordained to be European Capital of Culture 2010, but because it was a city on the boundaries of continents and religions, which had largely been ignored by official Europe. Bremen, a port, which has been somewhat marginalized by Hamburg, was the next to join the group, which was finally completed by Gdansk — a sufficiently gruff representative of the New Europe. But were the "cities on the edge" really unloved? More than anything, the founding slogan was an expression of a feeling of unacknowledged difference rather than one of being misunderstood.
http://www.eukn.org/eukn/news/2010/01/Cities-on-the-edge-stand-tall_1011.html

Morocco considers regionalisation
A consultative committee on Regionalisation has been launched in Morocco on 4 January. According to King Mohammed VI, this constitutes a major turning point in territorial governance, of which Western Sahara should be "one of the major beneficiaries".
The king stated that the committee's brief will be to imagine a purely Morrocan model of regionalisation, avoiding to mimick or copy foreign experiments.
According to Mohammed VI, the project must involve all existing regions in the kingdom. He stressed that regionalisation should not limit itself to being a mere reshuffling of competences between "the centre" and the regions, rather it should create real regions, viable and stable, based on rational and realistic criteria instead of purely formal or bureaucratic entities.
The commission is made up of 21 members, most of them being civil servants, lawyers, historians, geographers, sociologists and economists. They have up to June 2010 to give the king their conclusions.

Local authorities' campaigner passes away
It is with immense sadness that the Council of European Municipalities and Regions has learnt of the sudden and unexpected passing away of the head of the EU department of Local Government Denmark , Uwe Lorenzen.
Uwe was appreciated by all of us in European local and regional circles for his tireless commitment to defending and strengthening local government in Europe and in the world, said former CEMR secretary general Jeremy Smith. His enthusiasm and dynamism were contagious and we will miss him. Urbanicity and CEMR expresses their deepest sympathy to his family.

European summit of local governance (Barcelona)
The European summit of local governance will take place from 22 to 24 February 2010 in Barcelona. It will bring together representatives from local authorities to discuss the role of towns and cities in Europe.
Some 600 local representatives are expected. They will have a chance to meet representatives from national governments, EU institutions and the private sector to debate key issues such as the new economic and financial crisis, the new EU mandates (Commission and Parliament) under the Lisbon Treaty, energy and intermediate local governments.
The last day will be dedicated to "decentralised sessions" held at other venues nearby. These will focus on decentralised cooperation, trade, cohesion policy, culture and the advantages of working within networks (such as CEMR).
The conference website is available in Spanish, Catalan, English and French. It features detailed information about the content of the conference and registration registration open until 15 February 2010). http://www.europeansummit2010.eu/default_en.asp

4TH UCLG WORLD CONGRESS 2013 The Local and Regional Leaders World Summit CALL FOR CANDIDACIES
The triennial UCLG World Congress is a focal point for the local government world and the primary meeting point for local elected representatives and their partners. It is where mayors, councillors and presidents of regional authorities and their associations come together to set the local government agenda for the next three years and beyond, and to examine and debate key issues at the heart of local democracy and decentralisation in the 21st century.
The members of the UCLG World Council are looking for innovative proposals for hosting this world class event, which will promote partnerships and build synergies.
If you think your city or Local Government Association can meet this exciting challenge, we very much look forward to receiving your proposal at the World Secretariat of UCLG. http://www.cities-localgovernments.org/uclg/upload/template/templatedocs/ENG_Call_for_candidates_2013_Congress.pdf

EU Spanish Presidency Summit to feature cities’ international work
Terrassa Metropolitan Area will host a conference on 24 February to look at the benefits of international activities gained by cities which are engaged in the EUROCITIES network.
The event forms part of the ‘European Summit of Local Governments’, organised by the Spanish EU Presidency, which has expressed its commitment to actively support urban issues during its term in office in the first half of 2010. EUROCITIES has already enjoyed a constructive dialogue with the Presidency, culminating in a meeting in October 2009 with the Spanish Secretary of State for EU affairs, Diego López Garrido.
Under the theme of international cooperation, the Terrassa conference will focus discussion on related areas such as the development benefits linked to cities’ role in promoting technology clusters, creative industries, urban mobility, green technologies, as well as migration and its implications for social inclusion. The event takes place in the last day of the Summit which will be held in different cities around Barcelona, supporting the vision expressed by Mr López Garrido for a decentralised Europe where city governments have a key role in bringing the EU closer to the citizens.
Local government representatives taking part in the conference will present a range of EUROCITIES projects and campaigns in which their cities have taken a leading role. The presentations will highlight specifically the ‘added-value’ generated by international city partnerships. Discussions will also focus on what role the EU can play to support cross-border networking among cities.
The target audiences for this event include politicians and other local actors from the Catalonia region, city representatives from across Spain and other European countries, as well as representatives from the EU institutions.

City mayors and MEPs work together on urban development in Europe
The European Parliament has given approval for re-establishing the Urban Intergroup, which has appointed MEP Jan Olbrycht (pictured here) as its President.
Almost every issue dealt with in the European Parliament has an urban dimension. This intergroup is composed of Members of European Parliament from different political groups and working in different committees. The intergroup can therefore ensure that cities’ perspectives are considered throughout the work of the Parliament and that the territorial dimension of EU policies is better understood and taken into account.
The intergroup will be able to build on the important work during the last legislature of the Urban-Housing Intergroup, which raised the profile of the role of cities as key stakeholders and placed integrated urban development onto the EP’s agenda.
EUROCITIES is already cooperating with the intergroup and EUROCITIES President Jozias van Aartsen has joined forces with Mr Olbrycht to bring cities and MEPs together in an event which will take place in the European Parliament in Brussels on the evening of 27 January. This event will provide an opportunity for MEPs and city leaders to meet and exchange on how European cities and the European Parliament can work together on tackling current challenges such as economic recovery, climate change or social inclusion, the burning issues of the years to come. http://www.urban-logement.eu/

Capital cities commit to 41% emissions cut by 2020
Australia's capital cities have committed to building retrofits, clean energy rollouts and transport improvements projected to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 57 million tonnes a year by 2020.
The commitment by the cities' Lord Mayors follows a report by consultancy Kinesis on the abatement potential of Australia's capital cities.
The commitment encompasses initiatives to reduce emissions in commercial and retail buildings, homes and from transport.
Activities outside the direct control of city managers - such as freight and industrial emissions - are excluded.
The commitments amount to a 41% reduction on projected business-as-usual emissions and would make a major contribution to meeting the Federal Government's emissions reduction target.

Register to URBACT CityLab on Metropolitan Governance!
The EU funded URBACT programme will be holding a CityLab city lab focusing on issues of Managing metropolitan areas across national, regional and local boundaries on 12th February, 2010 in Lille. Citylabs are dynamic working meetings with active participation between participants. If you are working in this field, we would like to see you at our meeting! Register now (deadline: 15th January, 2010).
http://urbact.eu/en/header-main/news-and-events/view-one/urbact-events/?entryId=4820

Beginning of the GOAL project
EFUS is glad to announce that the GOAL project, co-financed by the European Commission, started on December 1st. Partners include : cities of Charleroi, Liege, Lille, Genova, Mannheim, Latina, Solna and Eurofan association.
This project aims to the exchange of practices that will enable the publication of a guide for local partners in the field of violence prevention in sports, especially in the field of football. http://www.fesu.org/index.php?id=31

Korea to launch e-gov services via IPTV
The government of South Korea has hatched a plan to make e-services available on the country’s IPTV platforms in the capital, Seoul, by early next year. Public information such as tender notices will be provided in real-time through IPTV channels from March 2010, with services such as civil petitions and tax payments to follow at a later stage.
The National Computing & Information Agency (NCIA) is developing public service content for IPTV channels – which enjoy the highest penetration of any country in Asia - and plans to conduct a trial run with 600 households subscribing to IPTV services this month.
Professor Cheol Oh, a member of Korea’s Presidential Committee for National Development of Information Society, told FutureGov that the move was part of the Korean government’s push to provide e-services through multiple channels to boost digital inclusion in Korea.

Night noise guidelines for Europe
Environmental noise is a threat to public health, having negative effects on human health and well-being. This book reviews the health effects of exposure to night-time noise, examines dose–effect relations, and presents interim and ultimate guideline values for exposure.
Outstanding scientists reviewed the scientific evidence in the WHO European Region and used it to draw up the guideline values. The guidelines were peer-reviewed and discussed to reach a consensus among the experts and stakeholders. This book offers guidance to policy-makers in reducing the effects of night-time noise, thus helping to improve the health of the people in the Region. http://www.euro.who.int/InformationSources/Publications/Catalogue/20090904_12

Private city - keep out
Cities within cities are eating up Britain's streets. Urban regeneration has seen entire districts pass into the hands of private companies – and their security guards.
In the name of urban regeneration, entire swathes of cities like London and Liverpool are now under private ownership and policed by private security firms. Writing in the Guardian, Anna Minton reports on a new Britain where seemingly innocuous activities such as eating or taking photographs are now forbidden.
The Guardian reporter Paul Lewis, who fell foul of anti-terror legislation last week, is the latest in a long line of alleged miscreants stopped and questioned after straying on to private land. Lewis was stopped and searched by police under section 44 of the Terrorism Act for taking photographs of the Gherkin, one of London's landmark buildings.
This monitoring and surveillance of innocent activities, which does not necessarily require anti-terror laws, is taking place all around Britain as a result of the growing private ownership and private control of cities. Liverpool One, which spans 34 streets in the heart of Liverpool, is effectively owned by the property company - Grosvenor - belonging to Britain's richest man, the Duke of Westminster's, which leased the entire site, including streets and public places, from the council for 250 years. Cabot Circus in Bristol, Highcross in Leicester and what promises to be the biggest of all, Stratford City in London, are all owned and run by property companies.
These areas follow the model pioneered by Canary Wharf and the Broadgate Centre in London in the 1980s. Then, these districts were exceptional places, created to meet the needs of business. Now this is the template for all new development, large or small. With its 170 acres, Stratford City – one of the main sites for the 2012 Olympics – will be a private city within a city.

New York: Engaging Newcomers in City Parks
Park officials, city planners and immigrant advocates are exploring opportunities to increase usage of city parks among local immigrant communities and seeking ways to incorporate these new residents into the traditional public parks system. This is especially critical given that minority and immigrant children experience high rates of obesity. The opportunity for physical activity provided by city parks can help to increase fitness and reduce obesity among immigrants.
Public parks are one of the most important assets in cities, and parks facilities should be available to all residents. One of the challenges faced by new immigrants is the lack of awareness regarding city services, which might explain their limited use of city parks and facilities in some cities. In addition to provide health benefits and recreational activities, experts agree that city parks play an important role in the immigrant integration process. The key question is: how should city parks adapt to the recent demographic changes in their communities? For the last few years several cities have been trying to answer that important question. For example, a 1993 study focuses on Boulder, Colo. The City of Chicago and the University of Chicago published a similar report in 1987, and the City of Indianapolis Parks Department published another study on the same topic in 2004. Most of these studies and reports show that immigrant populations represent a traditionally underserved group in the public parks system. http://www.eukn.org/eukn/news/2010/01/Spanish-EU-presidency_1002.html

Commission launches consultation on "EU 2020"
The Commission has issued a public consultation document on giving the EU economy a brighter future through the EU 2020 Strategy.
EU 2020 aims to deliver greener and socially inclusive growth, as outlined by President Barroso in his Political Guidelines. The new Strategy will build on the achievements of the Lisbon Strategy, while learning its lessons.
The consultation paper sets out a vision for how EU 2020 will focus on entrenching recovery from the crisis, helping to prevent a similar one in future and on three thematic objectives: creating value through knowledge; empowering people in inclusive societies; and creating a competitive, connected and greener economy.
The deadline for responses to the consultation is 15 January 2010.
The new Commission will then make a detailed proposal to the Spring European Council.

Call for Speakers - New Towns Conference
We would like to inform you that the ENTP 2010 annual event (general Assembly) will take place from the 26th to the 28th of May in Agios Stefanos (Greece-Athens). We already invite you to register and propose presentations (examples, findings, policies and good practices from your town and organization). The conference main theme is “New Towns in their metropolises: from Pilot to Mature towns?”. http://www.newtowns.net/

Action Plan on urban mobility of the European Commission
In autumn 2009, the European Commission presented its Action Plan on urban mobility. The aim of the Action Plan is to support European cities in their development of a new mobility culture in Europe. The Action Plan proposes a number of practical short- and medium-term measures which can be gradually implemented by 2012. The European Commission offers a partnership with local, regional and national authorities and also encourages other players in the Member States, citizens and companies to engage in close cooperation. Particular attention is given to the mobility requirements of weaker population groups, such as elderly people, low-income earners or persons who are impaired in their mobility because of physical, mental or sensory disabilities.
http://www.tinavienna.at/index.php?p_id=1261473474&last_id=1261473474&l_id=en&s_id=5096f016297a9b264d7d420d6762f893

Cities and Resilience: summary report and policy brief
This Climate Policy Brief highlights critical issues raised in the Cities and Resilience Dialogue held in Bangkok, Thailand September 28-29, 2009. The Dialogue reviewed the progress of cities in addressing the consequences of climate change with city representatives from India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam; their respective national climate change negotiators; and key supporting institutions active in the region.
Already home to more than half the world’s population, cities are the frontline in efforts to address climate change. By combining local knowledge and global support to tackle climate change issues, cities are in a position to lead successful adaptation and sustain those gains through proactive ‘climate-proof’ development policy and planning. http://www.proventionconsortium.org/themes/default/pdfs/Cities_Resilience_Climate_Policy_Brief_Nov09.pdf

Mexico City Mayor Marcelo Ebard New Chair of the World Mayors Council
The UN Climate Conference in Copenhagen saw countless actions and events by stakeholders in the climate policy process. A significant event was the election of Mayor Marcelo Ebrard of Mexico City as new Chair, and of Lord Mayor Jürgen Nimptsch of Bonn, Germany as Vice Chair of the World Mayors Council on Climate Change.
The World Mayors Council on Climate Change is an alliance of committed municipal leaders advocating an enhanced recognition and involvement of local governments in multilateral efforts addressing climate change and related issues of global sustainability.
As governments failed adopting a global climate agreement with binding greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets, the World Mayors Council is preparing for continued climate advocacy in the lead up to COP16. "Climate change is very serious matter, so we can not leave this issue to the national governments only", said Mayor Ebrard at the World Mayors Dialogue in the Local Government Climate Lounge at the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen.
Both Mexico City and Bonn will play a significant role in the climate policy process throughout the year 2010. Mexico will host COP16 in December, and Bonn will be the place of governmental negotiations following up on the Copenhagen Accord and leading up to COP16. Bonn is the seat of both the UN Climate Secretariat and the World Mayors Council on Climate Change.

Four town twinning projects worth their weight in gold!
The European Commission awarded four town twinning projects with the 'Golden Stars of active European citizenship' in a ceremony taking place in Brussels the 16 December 2009.
Rewarded municipalities included.Gyomaendrod (Hungary) that organised with partners from Romania, Germany, Poland and Slovakia a series of events related to women's participation in political life. A conference was held which provided an opportunity to share experiences and exchange ideas on how to overcome possible obstacles women face in their political career.
The selection jury members included the secretary general of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) Jeremy Smith.
The ceremony was preceded by a conference organised by the European Union. It provided an opportunity to debate the issue of civic participation through volunteering and the difference it can make in Europe. The president of the town twinning group of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions and mayor of Oswiecim, Janusz Marszalek, participated in the debate.
This conference, which brought together practitioners, policy makers and academics, marked the beginning of the mobilisation of citizens towards the European Year of Voluntary Activities Promoting Active Citizenship 2011.
http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/09/1943&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

Living the Parking Lot Lifestyle
Swiss architectural firm Herzog & de Meuron have designed a new parking garage for Miami that attempt to engage the public with a shockingly open-air design.
"As you ascend through the structure, its concrete planes fold themselves beneath you, each level exposing a yet more compelling vantage-point on the surrounding city. At one point a complex tangle of steel by artist Monika Sosnowska turns out also to be a safety feature, stopping kids getting struck beneath the ramp. By the time you reach the top, the city, the sea and the sky twinkle before you in a filmic panorama.
The idea is to create a series of layers that extend the public realm up into the building, to attract events, parties and life into the structure."
http://www.planetizen.com/news/redirect_new.php?id=42216-0

Disconnected from Society? Gated Communities: Their Lifestyle versus Urban Governance
Peer Smets (VU University Amsterdam) investigates the socio-cultural impacts of specific patterns of urban segregation (gated communities) on local urban politics and urban governance.
Smets writes, "Today there is a widespread fear of crime on a global scale. This can be seen as a response to social inequalities, social polarisation and the fragmentation of cities, which has to a large extent been caused by neo-liberalism. Worldwide, an increasing number of middle and high-income groups have looked to security measures, such as cameras, fences, walls and gates, to separate themselves from other people in the city. These physical measures, in combination with hired guards, replace the 'older' social control mechanisms, which are based on social cohesion within the community concerned. One may question whether those living in gated 'communities' indeed feel responsible for other urbanites. In other words, will such a hard closure (physically-marked segregation) lead to soft closure, reflected in social-cultural and political segregation? What is the impact of the lifestyle(s) of those living in gated communities on the dynamics of the city, urban identity and urban governance? http://www.planetizen.com/news/redirect_new.php?id=42242-0

As Governments Failed, the Onus is on Us
The Copenhagen climate summit was a historic moment in the global response to climate change, but there is much more work to do. The time is now for bold commitments, visionary collaboration and a strong, binding agreement. Local governments are ready and willing partners in this effort, and we will continue to lead the way on emissions reductions and innovative solutions until the final deal is sealed.
ICLEI’s Reflections
Despite its shortcomings, the Copenhagen Climate Summit marked a historic shift in the global response to climate change. Tens of thousands of people (and more than 1,200 local government representatives) joined more than 100 Heads of State in a shared commitment to a global climate solution. ICLEI commends the progress made and the foundation that was laid for bolder action in the near future.
Unfortunately, the question remains: Why is it that national governments are failing where local governments have long succeeded? If the international community had followed the lead of local governments in seeking and implementing ambitious climate solutions, we would be well on our way to solving the challenge of climate change.
Local governments – along with other subnational entities and, increasingly, the corporate sector – will continue to do what we have done for years: lead the way. The outcome of Copenhagen makes local government climate leadership more imperative than ever.
Our municipal leaders know the power and potential of bold commitments and visionary collaboration; we desperately need both now. World leaders still have a responsibility to commit the world to reduce emissions quickly and dramatically, to avoid the thresholds of dangerous climate disruption. We need a binding agreement that opens up clean pathways out of poverty in developing nations. It must launch a clean energy revolution that transforms and revitalizes our economies. It must deliver solutions as big as the problem.
ICLEI’s Message to Governments
It is time to finish what was started in Copenhagen. Governments: Bring local governments in as partners, give us a seat at the table and let us share in this responsibility. We are ready. Let’s finish this job so we can all start working together on the real job that lies ahead.

UNEP and ICLEI Launch "carbonn" Climate Center
ICLEI and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) join forces to build the Bonn Center for Local Climate Action and Reporting – carbonn.
"Cities will be one of the main drivers of climate change action so recording what they do is crucial," said ICLEI President David Cadman. "Mitigation projects are a first step to achieving climate neutrality in cities and carbonn will be key to that transition."
Carbonn, a joint project of UNEP and ICLEI, will facilitate the access by local governments to climate benchmarking instruments on a global scale.
The services of carbonn assist local governments report and compare their commitments, policies, programs and performance regarding greenhouse gas emissions reductions. Carbonn will also play a pivotal role in developing standards for, and providing guidance on, local emissions accounting and reporting.

Cities must be empowered to tackle climate change
National governments must give cities the support they need to tackle climate change impacts, UN-HABITAT Executive Director Mrs. Anna Tibaijuka said at the end of the marathon climate change talks in the Danish capital.
Mrs. Tibaijuka, this year’s co-winner of the world’s top environment award, made her appeal to national governments meeting in Copenhagen at a meeting with Mr. Konraud Otto-Zimmermann, Secretary General of the local authorities lobby, Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI).
She commended world mayors for bringing the urban dimension of the climate change debate to the global talks at a time cities have grown to the point where they are now home to more than half the global population and growing.
“The mayors have shown leadership and must now get a conducive atmosphere to operate. This is important if you consider that cities are the places where the battle against climate change is being fought,” she said as world leaders and their delegations worked through the night Friday to come up with a consensus.
Mrs. Tibaijuka said that although the overall goal was to reduce emission of harmful gases, it was at the household – and therefore the city – level where the battle was being fought. “If it is a matter of changing lifestyle, mode of transport and all the other issues affecting the environment they must be decided at the household level,” she said.Global slowdown, local solutions: international comparisons
The Local Government Association (LGA) has published a study showing how local authorities around the world have been tackling the impacts of the recession.
The report reflects on council activity in 14 countries, identifies.trends in good practice, and draws lessons about the importance of decentralised delivery at home. In doing so, the report shows how local authorities in other countries are able to support people into work, invest in regeneration and job creation, support businesses, and prepare their areas for the upturn.
One of the key message of the study is that the slowdown continues to impact upon every local area differently; and that local government tends to operate at the right level to deliver and co-ordinate effective local solutions and prepare economies for the upturn.
The report "Global slowdown, local solutions: international comparisons" has been drawn up with the help of national associations of local government and other public sector organisations. http://www.lga.gov.uk/lga/aio/6404643

1,000th city joins the Covenant of Mayors!
On 4 December, the German city of Rostock became the 1000th signatory marking a milestone in the initiative’s unprecedented growth
Since its launch at the European Parliament in February 2009, where the first 372 signatories gathered, the Covenant has enjoyed considerable attention as the number of local authorities participating has almost trebled. Speaking of its success, EU Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs said “The number of communities now involved is a clear indication of the strong belief in tackling climate in a coherent way at local level.”
In the meantime, the first 44 Sustainable Energy Action Plans (SEAPs) have been submitted, marking the stage at which the covenant will start to deliver results. These documents outline the workplan of local authorities for delivering on commitments underlined in the covenant. Typical areas of action are improvements in buildings, transport, district heating and local electricity production.