Managing authorities play a prominent role in implementing integrated urban development. This approach requires close cooperation between cities, communities, Managing authorities and other project partners. URBACT RegGov project focuses on how to make this relationship as fruitful and efficient as possible.
As RegGov received a Fast Track Label, there is a regular exchange with the European Commission as well. So we can get a better understanding of the European urban policy. Maybe equally important: We can communicate the needs of the cities and the impact of the urban dimension to the Commission. Thereby we can deliver arguments in favour of a continuation of the urban dimension in cohesion policy.
Within the URBAN initiative more than 200 cities in Europe jointly developed the integrative approach. This has proved the benefits of a Europe-wide exchange of ideas and experiences. Working together and learning from each other we can make the idea of a joint Europe come true. In this spirit we like to transfer our experiences to other regions but we also want to learn from others.
However, regarding governance structures we should not expect blueprints that can be easily adopted. It is nearly impossible to transfer governance structures from one region to another, because they are imbedded in a complex overall system of governance and often based on a specific cultural background. Therefore, the transfer of experiences can be an important impetus. But in the end every region has to find its own way.
Therefore our expectation for results of the RegGov project is at the same time ambitious and modest: To develop guidelines for governance that can be adjusted to local structures and needs, and that at the same time are efficient and open for participation.
Bernd Mielke
Managing Authority, North Rhine-Westphalia (DE)
Ministry of Building and Transport
