European Parliament Convenes on Urban Policy and Poverty
The European Parliament's REGI committee is meeting on February 25-26 to discuss urban policy, territorial cohesion, and poverty reduction. The agenda focuses on multi-level governance and integrated spatial development, which will shape future EU frameworks and funding relevant to Dutch municipalities.
- One of the key figures addressing the committee is Arjen Gerritsen, who serves as the King's Commissioner of the Province of Flevoland in the Netherlands and is also the spokesperson for the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) on the EU budget. His perspective will be crucial in discussions about the next Multiannual Financial Framework for 2028-2034. - The Netherlands is a significant proponent of the Urban Agenda for the EU, viewing cities as vital for achieving the green and digital transitions. Dutch central, regional, and local governments advocate for strengthening the role of cities in EU policymaking, building on the legacy of the 2016 Pact of Amsterdam. - A central component of the EU's cohesion policy impacting Dutch regions is the Just Transition Fund (JTF), which aims to mitigate the socioeconomic costs of the green transition. In the Netherlands, the JTF supports six regions, including Groot-Rijnmond and Groningen, to move away from fossil-fuel-based economies with a budget of €330 million for the Northern Netherlands alone until 2027. - Dutch initiatives are prominently featured in the New European Bauhaus (NEB), a creative and interdisciplinary EU initiative that connects the European Green Deal to living spaces. Lighthouse projects like the CULTUURCAMPUS in Rotterdam aim to transform disadvantaged areas into sustainable and inclusive hubs. - The Netherlands' national housing policy is currently grappling with significant challenges, including a housing shortage and rising prices, which are partly attributed to inconsistent government policies. Recent measures, such as the 2024 Affordable Rent Act, aim to regulate the middle-income rental segment but have also raised concerns about the investment climate for private landlords. - Under the EU's Cohesion Policy for 2021-2027, a minimum of 8% of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) at the national level is specifically dedicated to sustainable urban development strategies, empowering cities to lead their own integrated development. This aligns with the Dutch "City Deals" approach, where cities collaborate with various stakeholders on specific themes like climate adaptation and spatial planning. - The Dutch government re-established the Ministry of Housing and Spatial Planning in 2024, signaling a renewed focus on these issues at a national level. This ministry, along with the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, is central to implementing the National Strategy on Spatial Planning and the Environment (NOVI), which addresses challenges like housing shortages, climate adaptation, and the energy transition. - At the meeting, the committee will review a study on "Improving Essential Services in the EU regions: The role of cohesion policy," which will directly inform how future funding is allocated to improve services that are fundamental to reducing poverty and enhancing urban quality of life.
