91999E0061

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0061/99

by Ursula Stenzel (PPE) to the Commission

(27 January 1999)

Subject: Urban issues

In May 1997, the European Commission published its communication entitled "Towards an urban agenda in the European Union" (COM(97) 197 final). That communication serves as a good basis for an overall analysis of the way in which urban issues are tackled under the various Community policies at local authority level.

In the resolution of the European Parliament of 2 July 1998, A4-0172/98(1), the European Parliament closely connects urban issues with the maintenance and strengthening of economic and social cohesion and emphasises the importance of the reform of the Structural Fund Regulations, as the first phase of the European urban agenda. The proposals set out by the European Commission treat the discussion of urban issues under the eligibility criteria for Objective 2. On several occasions, the Commission has confirmed that urban issues can be approached in a horizontal manner within the corresponding policies and programmes of the Community Support Frameworks and the Single Programming Document under Objectives 1 and 2. How does the Commission intend to implement this approach?

The horizontal dimension of urban issues means, at the same time, close coordination and synergy between the different Community policies, in particular regional policies, if they are to have an impact at urban level. Has the Commission identified which implementing measures and financial mechanisms are needed to secure such coordination and synergy?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission

(10 March 1999)

On 3 February 1999, the Commission adopted a working paper entitled "The Structural funds and their coordination with the Cohesion fund - draft guidance for programmes in the period 2000-2006"(2).

This made it clear that in both objective 1 regions end objective 2 areas the various programming documents under the structural funds should include integrated measures for urban development. The regeneration of disadvantaged urban areas which could receive special support, within objective 2, through an integrated territorial approach similar to that developed by the urban initiative, will therefore represent one, but certainly not the only way to address urban problems within the new programming period.

All these measures will make a vital contribution to an integrated approach to regional development and conversion.

As far as the horizontal dimension and a closer co-ordination of urban matters are concerned, the Commission recently adopted the communication "Sustainable urban development in the European Union: a framework for action"(3). This indicated that an interservice group in the Commission will continue to examine the urban implications of Community policies and instruments with a view to further strengthening their urban sensitivity and integration. It will in particular monitor progress in the implementation of the framework for action.

(1) OJ C 226, 20.7.1998, p. 36.

(2) SEC(99) 103.

(3) COM(98) 605 final.