Urban Environment Expert Group on sustainable urban policy
The EC Expert Group on the Urban Environment, set up in 1991 to focus on the integration of an urban dimension into environmental policy, has published its response to the Commission communication "Towards an urban agenda in the EU" of May 1997. This is intended to influence and provide direction to the European Commission's efforts to achieve more sustainable urban development. The report, which has both an institutional and environmental focus, identifies further principles of sustainable development and the mechanisms needed to pursue it. Part one of the paper outlines the key messages for sustainable urban futures, while the second part provides practical recommendations for the European Commission in terms of institutional and organisational responses, development of policy and action, funding priorities, exchange of experience, awareness raising and training as well as research priorities. In particular, the Expert Group points out that: - There should be more focus on reducing environmental impact as the way towards a more sustainable urban future; - There is a need to evaluate the impacts of other EU programmes, such as the Structural Funds, on urban areas to ensure that these are positive in their effects; - Integration is a key process through which sustainability can be achieved and should be promoted as a key goal at all levels; - Redefining the concept of what is urban to take into account that cities and towns do not operate as closed systems; - There is a need to take into account the impact of the future expansion of the EU and the implications in terms of the social, environmental and economic problems.