On 11 January 2006, the European Commission adopted a new Thematic Strategy on the Urban Environment to help Member States and regional and local authorities improve the environmental performance of Europe’s cities.

The main objectives of the Thematic Strategy isto contribute to a better quality of life through an integrated approach concentrating on urban areas and to a high level of quality of life and social well-being for citizens by reducing pollution levels and encouraging sustainable urban development.

The main actions under the strategy are:
  Guidance on integrated environmental management and on sustainable urban transport plans. The guidance will be based on cities’ experiences, expert views and research, and will help ensure full implementation of EU legislation. It will provide sources of further information to help prepare and implement action plans.
 Training. A number of Community programmes will provide opportunities for training and capacity-building for local authorities to develop the skills needed for managing the urban environment. Moreover, support will be offered for local authorities to work together and learn from each other. These should be exploited both by the Member States and local authorities.
 Support for EU wide exchange of best practices. Consideration will be given for the establishment of a new European programme to exchange knowledge and experience on urban issues under the new Cohesion Policy. The Commission will closely cooperate with Member States and local authorities. This work will be based on a pilot network of focal points on urban issues (the “European Knowledge Platform”) which offers advice to local authorities across Europe.
 Commission internet portal for local authorities. The feasibility of creating a new internet portal for local authorities on the Europa website will be explored to provide better access to the latest information.

NGOs’ reaction

According to Kerstin Meyer, European Environment Bureau, “the Commission has shied away from more far-reaching plans for EU directives. The Strategy basically leaves it up to the member states and cities themselves to improve their environmental performance. This voluntary approach has not worked in the past. This is why most cities are still facing enormous problems with urban sprawl, congestion, air and noise pollution, derelict land and generation of waste and waste-water”. For more information, please read the EEB press release "Commission adopts hands-off approach on urban environment".

 Read the Thematic Strategy on the Urban Environment
 Question and answer