URBACT has its HERO. A clever name for an ambitious URBACT Project which has published a strategy paper entitled “The Untapped potential of cultural heritage – a Catalyst for Sustainable Urban Development and an Internationally Competitive Europe”. The document makes the case for a strong urban dimension as part of EU Cohesion Policy with a special focus on cultural heritage and historic urban landscapes. It calls for support and investment in integrated and sustainable urban development. The aim : to ensure Europe’s historic towns and cities are attractive places to live, work and invest in, fully able to respond to the global challenges of the 21st century and beyond.
In order to give input for the next EU funding period, the HerO partner cities Graz, Naples. Vilnius, Sighisoara, Liverpool, Lublin, Poitiers, Valletta and Regensburg have conjointly submitted the document to the EU Commission. Indeed, Hero project urge the EU to adopt several recommendations as:
- Priority should be given to securing integrated urban development with urban cultural heritage at its heart.
- Urban cultural heritage should be an integral part of the European Cohesion Policy and programs as well of the national and regional operational programs
- Priority should be given to the integration of European Funding Schemes and National Funding Programs.
- Stronger participation and involvement of historic cities in policy development and evaluation of programs addressing cultural heritage.
We wish that these recommendations will hold the Commission’s interest…
Anne-Laure Guignard
The 
Whithin the framework of the current debate on the future of the European Cohesion policy it is important to look at the goals that cohesion policy should pursue to meet the challenges of the 21st century. One of the difficult policy issues is whether relatively richer regions should be eligible for expenditure from the Structural Funds, especially if these richer regions also happen to be in relatively prosperous Member States. That is the contentious question raised by the 
With a comment which might suggest history is repeating itself, “Electricity is the fuel of the future”, the Belgian Secretary of State for Mobility inaugurated the first charging post for electric cars in the country on the 17th of December, 2009. This first infrastructure access point was installed perhaps not surprisingly in the premises of a car leasing company in Zaventem. It was followed by an announcement from the McDonald’s hamburger chain that they would open a “public” charging point (the next day) linked to their fast-food outlet in the Maasmechelen shopping centre, as part of a strategy to spread out this service to their other similarly located restaurants across the country (Europe?).
Catherine Ashton, previously EU Commissioner for Trade joined an illustrious group of women who have been Foreign Ministers in the world when she became EU’s new foreign affairs chief in November. She will rank only behind Hilary Clinton and Angela Merkel as one of the most powerful women in politics, representing half a billion EU citizens. As Trade Commissioner over the previous year she has developed a good reputation in global arenas and is seen by many as having a straightforward, practical and businesslike approach that will prove a strong basis for the tasks of the post. The appointment holds an additional significance. It offers a message for other women involved in politics throughout the EU. The current European Parliament comprises 31% women and 69% men. Margot Wallstrom, Vice President of the EU, argued early in 2009 that, “ 2009 offers some excellent opportunities for EU leaders and citizens to show that they are seriously interested in gender equality “. Catherine Ashton’s appointment may not show a major transformation in the position of women within European politics but for many women acting in local, national and international arenas it provides a valuable and positive role model for the future.
The 2009 URBACT Annual Conference was held in Stockholm. Let us take the opportunity to look at this City which is often seen as a green model for other European cities. In 2010 the capital of Sweden will be the first European city to celebrate its status as European Green Capital. The new European Green Capital Award recognises cities that are at the forefront of environmentally- friendly urban living. Indeed, the City of Stockholm has outlined an overall, long-term vision – Vision Stockholm 2030 – for sustainable growth and development. The city council’s holistic vision combines growth with sustainable development and Stockholm is determined to lower its carbon emissions. To date, the city has achieved a 25% decrease in climate emission levels since 1990 (to 4 tonnes per inhabitant in 2005, half the Swedish average), and the city council has set an ambitious target of becoming totally fossil fuel free by 2050. Stockholm seems to be committed to share its experience and act as inspiration for other cities… But we can ask ourselves if European cities are ready to solve environmental problems and improve the quality of life for citizens by taking the environment systematically into account in urban planning.