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.)

Session Language: English and French Contact person: or

 

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 presents 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 present and share their experiences in the matter. These presentations contribute 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

Matthew Brid & Trevor Watson, Climate Change and Sustainability Department, Lewes, United Kingdom
Céline Braillon, Project Manager, Ministry of Ecology, France
Alexander Krohn, Director for Energy, Heidelberg, Germany
Christophe Pannetier, President i-solution, Associated Director, CM International, France
Gérard Poujade, Mayor, Séquestre leTarn, France

Francisco Javier Fernandez Alvarez, Mayor of Léon, Espagne (tbc)

 

Organised by the Metropolitan Council of Dunkerque

Session Language: English and French Contact person: or

 

Objectives

This parallel session studies and discusses the diverse ways culture conceptualizes sustainable cities. Through case studies about the role of culture in sustainable development strategies and programmes, participants learn and reflect on how to promote culture as a central dimension of local policies. Identification of universal features of sustainable cities is attempted, and the question of the possible cultural characteristics of sustainable cities is raised: are there universal cultural values and can they be associated with the concept of sustainable cities? Furthermore, this session promotes 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 share comments, experience and good practices by contributing to an interactive discussion in a talk-show style discussion (interviews).

Contributors

Facilitator: Catherine Cullen, Councillor for Culture, Lille, France

Renaud Denuit, Advisor to the Director, DG Education and Culture, European Commission, Belgium
Mikko Fritze, Director, Tallinn 2011, Tallinn, Estonia
Marie-Louise Rönnmark, Mayor, Umeå, Sweden

Rapporteur: Björn Grönhol, 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

Session Language: English and French Contact person:

 

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 investigates 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 is opened by the chair with a short introduction on the topic. The floor is then given to Emilio D’Alessio who takes 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 follow: 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 is 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, LA21 Italy

Introduction: Emilio D’Alessio, Past President of LA 21 Italy, Architect and Spatial Planner,    

Helena Kock Aström, Coordinator, Environmental affairs, Linköping, Sweden
Babette Köhler, Head of city development, Freiburg, Germany
Bernard Poirier, Vice-president and Head of Environnement, Rennes, France

Rapporteur: Antonio Kaulard, LA21 Italy

 

Organized by Cordinamento Italiano (Italian Agenda 21 Organization)

Session Language: English and French Contact person:

 

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 are 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 provide background information and firsthand experience from their perspective. This contributes to the formulate solutions for a better cooperation between levels of government.

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

Contributors

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

Catarina Freitas, Almada, Portugal (tbc)
Olivier Landel, Director, Association des Communautés Urbaines de France
Ferran Vallespinós, Coordinator of the Environmental Area, Barcelona Provincial Council, Spain
Leif Pedersen, Chairman of the Green Cities partnership and member of the City council of Albertslund Municipality, Denmark (tbc)

 

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

Session Language: English and French Contact person:

 

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 introduces 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 allows 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

Flo Obe Clucas, CoR Member, Deputy Council Leader, Liverpool, UK
Pierre Dartout, Interministerial Delegate, Agency for Planning and regional Attractiveness (DATAR), France
Jana Fišerová, Mayor of Havlíčkův Brod; Member of the Committee for Foreign Cooperation of the Union of Towns and Communities, Czech Republic
Rozalia Biro, Deputy-Mayor of Oradea, Romania
Reinhard Six, Energy specialist, European Investment Bank, Luxembourg
NN, European Commission

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)

Session Language: English and French Contact person:

 

Objectives

Through their purchasing of products and services, local governments can promote sustainability and save money - this session demonstrates how, as well as presenting the challenges and opportunities of sustainable public procurement. The contributors, who represent cities and agencies at the forefront of this movement, discuss new developments and existing practices in the field of green and sustainable procurement. Goals of the session are 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 used, with questions posed to the contributors either individually or as a group. The audience is then invited to comment or add follow up questions.

Contributors

Facilitator: Mark Hidson, Director, Sustainable Procurement, ICLEI European Secretariat, Germany

Barbara Armanini, Responsible for Local Agenda 21, Province of Cremona, Italy
Serge Hombert, Chargé de mission à la Direction des Achats, UGAP, France
Matthew Galvin, Procurement Manager, Greater London Authority, United Kingdom
Maud Lelièvre, Executive Officer , Ecomaires, France (tbc)
Pekka Sauri, Deputy Mayor, City of Helsinki

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

 

Organised by ICLEI & the Metropolitan Council of Dunkerque

Session Language: English and French Contact person:

 

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 will:

• Receive insight on the cyclical management approach promoted e.g. by the Aalborg Commitments
• Learn from city-examples, how to set up an Aalborg Commitments process and apply sustainability management
• Explore 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 provide background information and first hand experience. This contributes to both understanding benefits and challenges of integrated management. The presenter(s) are be 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 are finally collected.

Contributors

Facilitator: Holger Robrecht, ICLEI European Secretariat, Germany

Jean Sebastien Leuba, Municipal Councillor; Coordinator, Energy and Climate plan, Besançon, France
Pekka Salminen, Union of Baltic Cities, Environmental Secretariat, Finland
Klaus Weichel, Lord Mayor, City of Kaiserslautern, Germany

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

Organised by ICLEI

Objectives of the session:

• Discuss the role of the private sector in the sustainability of the community and identify ways in which public and private sectors can cooperate (private funding of sustainable initiatives, encouraging local business to apply sustainable office standards, etc.).
• Present pioneer examples of successful cooperation between local governments and business on sustainability issues.

Facilitator: Per Bødker Andersen, Deputy Mayor of Kolding, Denmark (tbc) Michael Damm, Head of Environment, Aalborg, Denmark Bernard Guirkinger, Executif Committee, SUEZ Environment, France Lino Zanichelli, Deputy Governor, Region Emilia-Romagna, Italy (tbc)

Organised by ICLEI & the Metropolitan Council of Dunkerque

Session Language: English and French Contact person:

 

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 are discussed. Examples of cities that use their partnerships to cooperate on sustainability projects are presented, and the ways in which they profit are shared: technical support, financial support, cultural exchange, and political influence. Different types of cooperation are 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 discuss their respective experiences in international urban cooperation.

After the presentations, the sharing of experiences is 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

Vincent Feltesse, President, Urban Community of Bordeaux, France
Raffaella Gueze, Project officer, Bologna, Italy
Ingrid Molander, environment controller, Municipality of Botkyrka, Sweden
Mustapha Naamoune, Director, Urbanisation Agency, Annaba, Algéria

Rapporteur: Anna Mª Garriga, Medcities officer, Barcelona, Spain

 

Organised by Mecities

Session Language: English and French Contact person:

 

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

• discuss the demands of local authorities towards the research community for innovation and the brokerage process between academic evidence and local policy-making;
• present 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 present their cases of cooperation, highlighting both positive outcomes and practical challenges of such cooperation. All participants of the session then have an opportunity to join the discussion directed by the facilitator.

Contributors

Facilitator: Bertrand Wert, Policy Officer, European Commission, Belgium

Vincent Cousin, Advisor for Industry, Advancity, Paris, France
Yves Lichtenberger, President, Paris Est University, France
Marko Joas, Head of Research, Åbo University, Turku, Finland
Risto Veivo, Advisor to Deputy Mayor, City of Turku, Finland

Rapporteur: Ania Rok, ICLEI European Secretariat

 

Organised by ICLEI