Urban Forum 2012

Agenda and Presentations

Key remarks made by the speakers at the Urban Forum

Welcome and opening

• Johannes Hahn, European Commissioner for Regional Policy :
  "Integrated strategies and funding for urban development: the new regulations".
• Carsten Hansen, Danish Minister for Housing, Urban and Rural Affairs.

Thematic panels

Moderator: Jacki Davis, Analyst on European Union affairs.

First thematic panel : Europe 2020 and the challenge of coordinating thematic investments in cities and promoting integrated urban development.

• Jan Olbrycht, Member of the European Parliament.
• Mayors of 5 cities: Dunkerque, Michel Delebarre, chairman of the Committee of the
  Regions' COTER Commission; Sofia, Jordanka Fandakova; Naples, Luigi de Magistris; Warsaw, Hanna Gronkiewicz Waltz, Eurocities vice-President; Lisbon, António Luís dos Santos da Costa, CEMR Executive President.

Second thematic panel: Innovative actions for sustainable urban development.

• Connie Hedegaard , European Commissioner for Climate Action.
• Veronica Gaffey , Acting Director, DG Regional Policy, European Commission.
• Mayors of 3 cities: Amsterdam, Eberhard van der Laan ; Manchester, Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council; Bratislava, Milan Ftáčnik.

Third thematic panel: Integrated Territorial Investments: How may it work for fostering the urban dimension of cohesion policy?

• Mercedes Bresso , President of the Committee of the Regions.
• Rudolf Niessler , Director, DG Regional Policy, European Commission.
• Mayors of 5 cities: Leipzig, Burkhard Jung ; Barcelona, Xavier Trias ; Turin, Piero Fassino; Łódź, Hanna Zdanowska; Roubaix, René Vandierendonck, Vice-President of Lille Métropole.

Closing address

• Nicholas Martyn, Deputy Director-General for Regional Policy : " Towards green, inclusive and smart cities: Paving the way for sustainable cities of tomorrow."