Keynote speech
Az alábbi hír angol nyelvű, eredeti formájában olvashatják.
Speaker
- Elisa Ferreira, European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms
Main takeaways
- Amidst the crises we live in (climate crisis, energy transition, digital revolution, economic crisis, our democracies are being challenged), it is important to to maintain our sustained well-being.
- Cities are the actors to design and spearhead responses. European cities (both large and small) represent approx. 70 percent of European CO2 emissions and 75% of its population. Therefore, cities are the frontline in the green, digital transition, and in the just transition. „Green roots must be the grassroots.”
- Local authorities and cities are key to make local areas liveable and for local people/communities to thrive.
- To transform all the systems (mobility, energy etc.), cities need support because noone can manage transition alone. The European Commission is dedicating 8 percent to cities.
- There were discussions about the future regarding the Cohesion policy (after 2027): 1) Urban development is one of the keys for overall development. 2) They must help cities. 3) Medium sized and smaller cities have a critical role to play. They connect as both catalysts and corridors of growth.
Policy recommendation
Essential roles of local authorities:
- Local ownership - to mobilize local stakeholders; them acting as a bridge between European and national level on the one hand, and ordinary citizens, on the other.
- Tailoring actions – every place is different. Making policies place-based. To integrate urban development into wide strategies.
- Democratic legitimacy: representation of different voices at different levels so that every voice should be heard and noone is shut out.
