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DRAFT REPORT ‘Cohesion policy – the driving force in implementing the EU agenda for cities’

REGI-PR-790121

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This draft report by Parliament's Committee on Regional Development welcomes the Commission's 'An EU Agenda for Cities' and sets out what Parliament wants for cities in EU policy. It calls for a stronger role for cities in EU decision-making through the partnership principle and multilevel governance, and for simpler access to EU funding. It asks the Commission to turn the future platform for cities into an EU one-stop shop for funding, technical assistance and exchange of good practices. It says the future multiannual financial framework must ensure adequate resources for sustainable urban development, and asks member states to be more ambitious in allocating resources to cities. It highlights housing, essential services, mobility, security, sport, digitalisation and disaster prevention as urban priorities, with attention to small, medium-sized, island and coastal cities.

Committee position. The rapporteur proposes that Parliament welcome the Commission's EU agenda for cities, call for a stronger role for cities in EU decision-making and funding, and ask for adequate resources for urban development in the future multiannual financial framework.

Key points

  1. Welcomes the Commission communication 'An EU Agenda for Cities: Driving Growth and Prosperity' as a comprehensive framework for urban development in the EU.
  2. Stresses that cities face Europe's main challenges and should take part in both implementing and creating EU policy, and recognises their role in growth, innovation, culture, education and competitiveness.
  3. Welcomes the midterm review of cohesion policy for reallocating resources to emerging priorities, and initiatives on the 'right to stay', islands, coastal regions and outermost regions.
  4. Calls on the Commission and member states to strengthen the partnership principle and multilevel governance, giving local and regional authorities a structured role in shaping, scheduling and implementing EU policies.
  5. Calls for stronger administrative capacity of cities and simplified access to EU funding.
  6. Calls on the Commission to develop the future platform for cities as an EU one-stop shop for funding information, technical assistance, design support and exchange of good practices.
  7. Says the future multiannual financial framework must ensure adequate resources for sustainable urban development, and asks member states for greater ambition in allocating resources to cities under future national and regional partnership plans and the EU Facility.
  8. Highlights the role of the European Urban Initiative and URBACT in innovation, experimentation, capacity building and exchange of good practices between cities.
  9. Says support for cities must come through cohesion policy and other EU instruments, including the European Competitiveness Fund, Horizon Europe, Erasmus+ and AgoraEU, and encourages public-private partnerships.
  10. Calls for a particular focus on small and medium-sized cities, island and coastal cities and inland areas, ensuring they have adequate access to EU funding and development opportunities.
  11. Recognises the housing crisis as a main political priority, highlights the role of local authorities in housing strategies and welcomes the upcoming European affordable housing plan.
  12. Emphasises cities' role in providing essential services such as transport, education, healthcare and employment services, and calls for investment in sustainable mobility, public transport and safe public spaces, focusing on women and vulnerable groups.

Who is affected

  • Cities and other urban areas, which the report says should be involved in EU policy and receive adequate funding.
  • Local and regional authorities, which should get a structured role in EU decision-making and simpler access to funding.
  • Small and medium-sized cities, island and coastal cities and inland areas, which should get adequate access to EU funding and development opportunities.
  • Member states, which are asked to show greater ambition in allocating resources to cities.
  • The Commission, which is asked to develop the future platform for cities as an EU one-stop shop.

Figures and deadlines

  • Around three quarters of the EU's population live in cities and other urban areas.
  • In the 2021-2027 period, a minimum threshold of 8 % of ERDF resources to be allocated for cities was indicated.

Legal basis: Articles 14, 174, 175, 177 and 349 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.