Promoting Sustainable Urban Development in Europe - Achievements and Opportunities

Cities and metropolitan areas are the motors of economic growth and home to most jobs. They play a key role as centers of innovation and the knowledge economy. At the same time, urban areas are the frontline in the battle for social cohesion and environmental sustainability.European regions largely profit from the cities' enormous potentials for increased competitiveness and employment. With over 70% of Europeans living in urban areas, cities are at the heart of Cohesion Policy interventions seeking to exploit Europe's full economic capacities. To facilitate or to indeed start this process, cities often need support in overcoming existing obstacles to growth. The development of disadvantaged urban areas is often an important step in unleashing economic powers by creating more exclusive and attractive business environments.