Parallel sessions B - Thursday 20 May 9.30 - 11.00

Please note that differences in number of speakers per session is due to the use of various session formats (roundtable, panel, interviews, etc.)

Objectives

Dealing with the challenges of society and managing in the context of the economic and environmental crises requires the implementation of policies that contribute to changing citizen behaviour. These changes in citizen behaviour must be profound and they must be sustainably integrated in the processes of daily life.

In this day, taking action does not mean using standard communication methods, but rather taking advantage of systematic and global approaches that engage all stakeholders in an area, allow citizens to understand the challenges, and induces citizens to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle.

This session presented innovative sustainable experiences which have aimed to:

• Better understanding the dynamics of governance and citizens;
• Develop new governance methods to mobilize all stakeholders in an area;
• Encourage action;
• Implement innovative and continuous policies for sustainable development, based on a variety of initiatives (technological, educational, political, financial…).
  
  

Methodology

Following an introduction on the theme of the session, several cities presented and shared their experiences in the matter. These presentations contributed to opening the debate and engaging a discussion on the possible courses local governments can take to address behaviour change.

Contributors

Facilitator: Jean-Pierre Triquet, Director of Communications, Metropolitan Area of Dunkerque, France

Green IT to the service of behaviour changes
Olivier Ceznec, Development Manager , CISCO (Presentation_EN)

Public politics to the service of behaviour changes
Céline Braillon, Project Manager, Ministry of Ecology, France

Participation as anticipation to change
Gérard Poujade, Mayor, Séquestre leTarn, France

Local action to influence citizen behaviour in Heidelberg
Alexander Krohn, Director for Energy, Heidelberg, Germany (Presentation_EN)

Rapporteur: Christophe Pannetier, President i-solution, Associated director, CM international

Organised by the the Metropolitan Council of Dunkerque

Objectives

This parallel session studied and discussed the diverse ways culture conceptualizes sustainable cities. Through case studies about the role of culture in sustainable development strategies and programmes, participants learned and reflected on how to promote culture as a central dimension of local policies. Identification of universal features of sustainable cities were attempted, and the question of the possible cultural characteristics of sustainable cities was raised: are there universal cultural values and can they be associated with the concept of sustainable cities? Furthermore, this session promoted the role of culture as a central dimension of local policies through the dissemination and implementation of agenda 21 for culture and through case studies and sharing of good practices, notably with a focus on the Cultural Capitals of Europe.

Methodology

Following an introduction into the topic of the session, speakers shared comments, experience and good practices by contributing to an interactive discussion in a talk-show style discussion (interviews).

Contributors

Facilitator: Catherine Cullen, Deputy-Mayor in charge of culture, Lille (European capital of Culture 2004), France

Building a sustainable city through curiosity and passion - the art of cocreation (Abstract_EN)
Marie-Louise Rönnmark, Mayor of Umeå, Sweden (European Capital of Culture 2014) (Presentation_EN)

How can a European Capital of Culture lead to positive change? (Abstract_EN)
Mikko Fritze, City of Tallinn, Estonia (European Capital of Culture 2011) (Presentation_EN)

Culture policy, climate policy, urban policy: the EU at the crossroads
Renaud Denuit, Adviser to the Director for Culture, Multilingualism and Communication DG Education and Culture European Commission (Presentation_EN)

Rapporteur: Florent le Duc, Adviser for the Metropolitan Urban Community of Dunkerque, and Björn Grönholm, Head of Secretariat, Union of the Baltic Cities – Commission on Environment

Organised by the Union of Baltic Cities (UBC) and the Metropolitan Council of Dunkerque, in association with Umea

Objectives

Is there a model for the European city of the 21st Century? More than 75% of Europeans live in an urban environment and our cities are facing unprecedented challenges like adaptation to climate change, aging population, lack of social cohesion, air pollution, energy consumption, vulnerability and unnecessary greenfield expansion.

The session investigated the capacity of urban planning processes in addressing issues like urban density, revitalization, transit oriented developments. The issue of time is a primary aspect: cities must be given the proper planning and management tools in order to be able to cope with the rapid changes occurring in the European urban environment.

Methodology

The session was opened by the chair with a short introduction on the topic. The floor was then given to Emilio D’Alessio who took the participants on a stimulating visual trip through the “state of the art” of European Urban Planning with a particular focus on sustainability, resilience and counteracting climate change.

Three case studies followed: the “Sustainable Town” project in Linkoping, the issue of energy efficiency in Urban planning in Freiburg, and the brownfield renovation project of the Courrouze in Rennes, France.

The floor was opened for a final discussion before closing the session with a wrap-up by the chair.

Contributors

Facilitator: Vanni Bulgarelli, Coordinator of “City and Climate” working group, Local agenda 21, Italy

Looking for a model of the European sustainable city
Emilio D’Alessio, Former President of Local agenda 21 Italy, Architect and Spatial Planner, Italy

The sustainable town, in practice
Helena Kock Aström, Coordinator, Environmental affairs, Linköping, Sweden (Presentation_EN)

Urban planning and energy efficiency
Norbert Schröder-Klings, Head,Urban Planning and Development, Freiburg,Germany (Presentation_EN)

Brownfields conversion: the La Courrouze project
Bernard Poirier, 1st Vice-president responsible for Sustainable Development, Rennes, France

Rapporteur: Antonio Kaulard, Project Coordinator, Local Agenda21 Italy

Organized by Italian Agenda 21 Association (Coordinamento Italiano)

Objectives

There are many levels of government involved in environmental and sustainability policy-making in Europe, but the major ones are: local, regional, national and European. Coordination and cooperation between them is often complex. Nonetheless, achieving this cooperation is necessary in order to carry out a maximum of results and to be most efficient, especially in these times of economic and environmental crisis. The session goals were to:

• Identify common problems resulting from the overlap of responsibilities of various levels of government regarding sustainability issues and to explain the importance of cooperation.
• Provide examples of local authorities that have achieved successful cooperation with other levels of government (e.g. local government representatives in national UN delegations, integrated multi-level reporting schemes, etc.).

Methodology

Different governments leading by their example provided background information and firsthand experience from their perspective. This contributed to formulate solutions for a better cooperation between levels of government.

After a series of presentations and questions, a debate was opened between the audience and the speakers.

Contributors

Facilitator: Rafael Ocaña, Environmental Officer, Province of  Barcelona, Spain

Cooperation between levels of government from the perspective of a Portuguese municipality
Catarina Freitas, Head of Environment, City of Almada, Portugal (Presentation_EN)

Cooperation between levels of government from the perspective of an association of French urban communities
Olivier Landel, Director, Association des Communautés Urbaines de France [Abstract_FR]

Barcelona Provincial Council’s action against climate change and co-operation between levels of government
Ferran Vallespinós, Coordinator of the Environmental Area, Province of Barcelona, Spain (Abstract_EN) (Presentation_EN)

Seven Danish municipalities in one partnership [Abstract_EN]
Leif Pedersen, Chairman of the Green Cities partnership and member of the City council of Albertslund Municipality, Denmark (Presentation_EN)

Rapporteur: Virgínia Vallvé Cádiz. Environmental Officer. Municipality of Cornellà de Llobregat, Province of Barcelona, Spain

Organised by the Provincial Council of Barcelona (Diputació de Barcelona)

Objectives

Europe is increasingly recognizing the challenges of sustainable development, and climate change in particular, and these figure at the heart of the debate on the future post-2013 common policies and the post-Lisbon EU 2020 Strategy.

It is relevant to examine how European territories have benefited from the integration of these challenges into the existing strategies and financial planning. Sustainable development and climate change, and the role of local authorities, should be integrated in the definition and implementation of European strategies today and in the future.

Methodology

The facilitator introduced the session theme, followed by a two-part discussion with the speakers on:

• Sustainable development and European financing : assessment and examples of existing initiatives
• Local sustainable development, a special target for post-2013 European financing

The session allowed speakers and participants to examine the integration of territorial aspects in current European strategies and those currently being defined for the EU 2020. The efficiency of European financing programmes such as structural funds and other specific financing sources, and means to ensure that a real consideration of local strategies in sustainable development are included in future agendas.

Contributors

Facilitator: Pierre Jarlier, Mayor of St-Flour (Cantal); President, AFCCRE Territorial Cohesion Working Group

Jana Fischerová, Mayor of Havlíčkův Brod; President of the Committee for Foreign Cooperation of the Union of Towns and Communities, Czech Republic (Presentation_EN)

Calin Chira, Brussels Office of Romanian Municipalities Association

Flo Clucas, CoR Member, Deputy Council Leader, Liverpool, UK

Pierre Dartout, Interministerial Delegate, Agency for Planning and regional Attractiveness (DATAR), France

Reinhard Six, Energy specialist, European Investment Bank, Luxembourg (Presentation_FR)

Rapporteur: Christophe Moreux, Director of Territorial Policies, AFCCRE and Sabine Martorell, Project Coordinator, AFCCRE

Organised by the Association Française du Conseil des Communes et Régions d’Europe (AFCCRE)

Objectives

Through their purchasing of products and services, local governments can promote sustainability and save money - this session demonstrated how, as well as presenting the challenges and opportunities of sustainable public procurement. The contributors, who represented cities and agencies at the forefront of this movement, discussed new developments and existing practices in the field of green and sustainable procurement. Goals of the session were to:

• Highlight the significant purchasing power of local governments and the benefits of sustainable public procurement (e.g. improving the efficiency and cost effectiveness of public services, stimulating the market for sustainable products, improving working conditions, example setting)
• Present ways in which innovative public procurement can play a key role in reducing emissions, for example by launching new environmental technologies
• Discuss the social and ethical implications of procurement
• Explain how procurement can support SMEs and make regions more competitive.Identify the main opportunities and obstacles for implementing sustainable procurement and sources of information and support for local governments
  
  

Methodology

A talk-show format was used, with questions posed to the contributors either individually or as a group. The audience was then invited to comment or add follow up questions.

Contributors

Facilitator: Steve Waller, Sustainability Advisor, Improvement & Development Agency for Local Government (IDeA), United Kingdom

Livia Mazzà, GPP Partner (Ecosistemi), Province of Cremona, Italy

Matthew Galvin, Procurement Manager, Greater London Authority, United Kingdom

Serge Hombert, Chargé de mission à la Direction des Achats, UGAP, France

Pekka Sauri, Deputy Mayor, City of Helsinki

Maud Lelièvre, Executive Officer, Ecomaires, France

Rapporteur: Abby Semple, Sustainable Procurement, ICLEI European Secretariat, Germany

Organised by ICLEI & the Metropolitan Council of Dunkerque

Objectives

European cities regularly present an Ecological Footprint far exceeding their territory, which is due to the concentration of population and economic activities. It is these same features that lead to relatively low individual footprints in comparison to rural areas. This potential of ecological efficiency needs to be unwrapped and managed in order to mainstream sustainable development.  However, this is a task of considerable size and complexity, requiring a highly integrated approach by local and regional authorities. Despite the fact that various EU policies and strategies (e.g. the EU Regional and Cohesion Policy, the EU Territorial Agenda, the Leipzig Charter on Sustainable Cities and the EU Thematic Strategy on the Urban Environment) call upon cities and regions to use an integrated approach as a key response where traditional planning approaches appear insufficient to tackle the challenge,  few local and subregional authorities have established a sufficient amount of integrated management structures,  In addition, cities are suggested to following an integrated and cyclical management approach to adhere to the Aalborg Commitments.

Participants to the session:

• Received insight on the cyclical management approach promoted e.g. by the Aalborg Commitments
• Learned from city-examples, how to set up an Aalborg Commitments process and apply sustainability management
• Explored the advantages of integrated and cyclical management approaches for sustainable development in cities and regions
  
  

Methodology

Following an introduction into the topic of the session, 2 cities/regions leading by their example provided background information and first hand experience. This contributed to both understanding benefits and challenges of integrated management. The presenters were interviewed by nominated experts in integrated management and the audience. Suggestions for local governments implementing an integrated approach or declarations such as the Aalborg Commitments were finally collected.

Contributors

Facilitator: Holger Robrecht, Director of Sustainability Management, ICLEI Europe, Germany

Integrated Management, an introduction
Pekka Salminen, Union of Baltic Cities, Environmental Secretariat, Finland (Presentation_EN)

Implementing the Aalborg Commitments through integrated management: The Siena example
Paolo Casprini, Director of Environment Policy Area, Province of Siena, Italy (Presentation_EN)

Orsola Bolognani, Ambiente Italia, Italy
Pekka Salminen, Union of Baltic Cities, Environmental Secretariat, Finland
Marion Hammerl, Lake Constance Foundation, Germany

Rapporteur: Esther Kreutz, Union of Baltic Cities, Environmental Secretariat, Finland

Organised by ICLEI

Session Language: English and French

Contact person: catherine.marchand@iclei.org

Objectives

There exists a persistent myth that sustainable development can compromise economical success. However, many cities have now proved that investing in sustainable development can significantly contribute to strengthen their local economy while the private sector shows growing interest and support for sustainable practices. Cities must now find innovative approaches to work hand in hand with the private sector to advance towards the same target: strengthening local economy without damaging the environment.

Is sustainability helping or burdening cities economies and budgets? How can local governments set up framework conditions that lead to sustainable economies? How can local government work with the private sector on defining future regulative frameworks? Should cities revise their administration structure to integrate economic and environmental dimensions? How can the private sector support these frameworks? This session took a closer look at local strategies and integrated approaches towards local sustainable economies.

Methodology

Following a short introduction to the topic of the session, cities leading by their example shared their experiences. Presentations were followed by questions and discussion with the audience.

In preparation of the following debate, presenters used the last 20 minutes to brainstorm about the main difficulties and challenges of their cooperation with the private sector.

Contributors

Facilitator: Per Bodker Andersen, Deputy Mayor of Kolding, Denmark

Private-Public Cooperation in the Emilia-Romagna Region
Guiseppe Bortone, General Manager of Environment, Emilia-Romagna Region, Italy

Cooperation with Business to promote Sustainability
Michael Damm, Environmental Coordinator, Aalborg, Denmark                            

Supporting Local Sustainable Economies
Bernard Guirkinger, Comité Executif, SUEZ Environnement, France (Presentation_EN)

Rapporteur: Wolfgang Teubner, Executive Director, ICLEI Europe, Germany

Organised by ICLEI & the Metropolitan Council of Dunkerque

Objectives

In a global interdependent world international networking and sharing of experiences can help local decision makers to promote good practices and avoid mistakes, thereby contributing to the progress of sustainability. Although political contexts and development levels vary enormously depending on the world regions, local concerns are often very similar and can be tackled in similar ways. Sharing experiences globally helps to apply experiences locally.

In this session, common problems and needs in international urban cooperation and how to overcome these were discussed. Examples of cities that use their partnerships to cooperate on sustainability projects were presented, and the ways in which they profit were shared: technical support, financial support, cultural exchange, and political influence. Different types of cooperation were compared, including EU and other international programmes, city networks or city to city cooperation of cities with different socio-economic contexts and similar environmental challenges, cities cooperating on sector urban policy issues, etc.

Methodology

Following an introduction by the facilitator into the topic of the session, the presenters discussed their respective experiences in international urban cooperation.

After the presentations, the sharing of experiences was enriched by a dialogue between the presenters and the audience, seeking to identify key points and recommendations to improve urban cooperation and policies.

Contributors

Facilitator: Joan Parpal, Secretary General of Medcities, Barcelona, Spain

International Action, a tool for local development [Abstract_FR]
Vincent Feltesse, President, Urban Community of Bordeaux, France

From Europe to Asia: ecobudget-not only an environmental management tool [Abstract_EN]
Raffaella Gueze, Project officer, Bologna, Italy (Presentation_EN)

International cooperation inspires and gives a global perspective at the local level [Abstract_EN]
Ingrid Molander, environment controller, Municipality of Botkyrka, Sweden (Presentation_EN)

Annaba’s experiences in international cooperation (Abstract_FR)
Mustapha Naamoune, Director, Urbanisation Agency, Annaba, Algéria

Rapporteur: Anna Mª Garriga, Project Officer, Medcities, Barcelona, Spain

Organised by Medcities

Objectives

With such a wealth of urban sustainability research being produced in Europe every year, we should all be living in green, resilient, prosperous cities, confidently looking forward to a bright future. Instead, we still struggle with pollution, poverty and the consequences of climate change. Where is the problem?

This session explored the opportunities and limits of a better cooperation between local governments and (local) research organisations, and

• discussed the demands of local authorities towards the research community for innovation and the brokerage process between academic evidence and local policy-making;
• presented examples of successful two-way communication in which cities inform the research agenda, and research provides state-of-the-art knowledge that can be applied locally.
  
  

Methodology

Following an introduction into the topic of the session, two cities together with their partners from a local research organisation presented their cases of cooperation, highlighting both positive outcomes and practical challenges of such cooperation. All participants of the session then had an opportunity to join the discussion directed by the facilitator.

Contributors

Facilitator: Bertrand Wert, Policy Officer, DG Enterprise & Industry, Directorate Innovation Policy, European Commission, Belgium

Brokerage in practice - using local expertise for Turku Climate and Environment Programme
Risto Veivo, Advisor to Deputy Mayor, City of Turku, Finland (Presentation_EN)

Universities and cities – opportunities and obstacles for fruitful cooperation
Marko Joas, Head of Department of Political Science, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland (Abstract_EN) (Presentation_EN)

Urban innovation by Advancity: three sectors coming together to put research in action
Vincent Cousin, Advisor for Industry, Advancity, Paris, France (Abstract_FR) (Presentation_EN)

Rapporteur: Ania Rok, Project Assistant, ICLEI European Secretariat

Organised by ICLEI