| www.euronews.com What is a sustainable city? What kind of pressure do our urban spaces have to face? What examples can small and medium cities set and how can their successes be reproduced around Europe? Some of the lessons are being learned at the 5th European Summit of Regions and Cities, in Copenhagen. Approximately half of the world's total population lives in urban areas. By 2030 80% of Europeans are expected to live in cities. This is why sustainable urban development is acquiring a crucial dimension in the debate over future European policies. Often local and regional areas manage to stand out for their eco-friendly practices, becoming open laboratories of sustainability, as the title of the summit suggests, "The European urban fabric in the 21st century". "Historically cities have always been innovation centres, but it is especially from the typical medium-sized European city that innovation starts. Now even the Chinese have discovered that small is beautiful, or better, middle-sized is beautiful. They have found that cities of 500000 to 600000 residents are much more sustainable, and they are building medium-sized urban areas to avoid their cities turning into megalopoli," says President of the Committee of Regions Mercedes Bresso. Beautiful, green, smart and inclusive : Colourful cities, where people want to live, and can thrive. That is the objective.. Regional Mayors and Presidents shared and showcased their practical solutions and strategies to promote ... |
