| Towards a more competitive and sustainable Europe of diverse regions
Territorial Agenda for Spatial Planning and Development is an action-oriented political framework for future cooperation, developed together with the European Commission and ministers of urban development and territorial cohesion from the member states. The Territorial Agenda contributes to sustainable economic growth and job creation as well as social and ecological development in all EU regions. Territorial Agenda will help to secure better living conditions and quality of life with equal opportunities, oriented towards regional and local potentials, irrespective of where people live – whether in the European core area or in the periphery.
The future task “Territorial Cohesion” is a permanent and cooperative process involving the various actors and stakeholders of territorial development at political, administrative and technical levels. EU Cohesion Policy should be able to respond more effectively to the territorial needs and characteristics, specific geographical challenges and opportunities of the regions and cities. |
The Territorial Agenda builds upon the three main aims of the European Spatial:
- Development of a balanced and polycentric urban system and a new urban-rural partnership;
- Securing parity of access to infrastructure and knowledge;
- Sustainable development, prudent management and protection of nature and cultural heritage.
The Territorial Cohesion Policy is committed to the following priorities for territorial development in the EU:
- 1. To strengthen polycentric development and innovation through networking of cities and regions.
- 2. Creating new forms of partnership and territorial governance between rural and urban areas.
- 3. Promote regional clusters of competition and innovation in Europe.
- 4. Support the strengthening and extension of trans-European networks.
- 5. Promote trans-European risk management including the impact of climate change.
- 6. To strengthen the ecological structures and cultural resources as the added value for development.
The Council of Danube Cities and Regions should play an active role in supporting the national authorities to implement the Territorial Agenda at the European level and within the states, as is their political task to raise awareness for the most important territorial challenges for the EU.