Accidents and habitat Accidents and habitat and Urban and Urban Environment StrategyEnvironment Strategy

Antoaneta Yoveva, Antoaneta Yoveva, SWF, BulgariaSWF, Bulgaria

EU Policy documentsEU Policy documents THEMATICTHEMATIC STRATEGY ON THE URBAN STRATEGY ON THE URBAN

ENVIRONMENTENVIRONMENThttp://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/urban/thematic_strategy.hthttp://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/urban/thematic_strategy.htm#language_versionsm#language_versions

http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/urban/home_en.htmhttp://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/urban/home_en.htm

Road Safety Action Plan 2002 - 2010Road Safety Action Plan 2002 - 2010www.etsc.bewww.etsc.be

CEHAPECEHAPE

THEMATICTHEMATIC STRATEGY ON THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT – STRATEGY ON THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT – StagesStages

The European Commission has developed the strategy according to the following steps:

1. June 2003 - The organisation of a multi-stakeholder platform bringing together actors with an interest in urban policy (local authorities, NGOs, business sector and academics) to debate how the Thematic Strategy may contribute to the improvement of the environmental efficiency of urban areas and to secure a healthy living environment for citizens.

2. Jan 2004 - Commission Communication "Towards a Thematic Strategy on the Urban Environment" issued for comments.

3. Throughout 2004 – Meetings of stakeholders at EU Expert Group on the Urban Environment. Also meetings of three special working groups on environmental management plans, sustainable urban transport plans and urban environment research and training needs.

4. End 2004 - Working group reports with recommendations for the Thematic Strategy.

5. July 2005 - A proposal for a Council and European Parliament Decision on a Thematic Strategy on the Urban Environment will be presented to the Council and the European Parliament.

ContentContent SSustainable construction ustainable construction

methodsmethods & techniques& techniques

UUrban designrban design

SustainableSustainable Urban Urban MManagementanagement

Sustainable Urban TransportSustainable Urban Transport

1.1. SSustainable construction ustainable construction methodsmethods & techniques& techniques

SomeSome of the most relevant recommendations included in this report of the most relevant recommendations included in this report are:are:

CComplompliance iance and and responsibility responsibility to to the Kyotothe Kyoto PProtocol commitmentrotocol commitmentss..

PPublic money ublic money toto be spent on projects that be spent on projects that respect therespect the requirements of sustainable requirements of sustainable construction construction

Development of Horizontal Standardised Development of Horizontal Standardised Methods for the Assessment of theMethods for the Assessment of the Integrated Integrated Environmental Performance of Buildings Environmental Performance of Buildings

Taxes and all otherTaxes and all other regulatory mechanisms used regulatory mechanisms used to help motivate the stakeholders to achieve to help motivate the stakeholders to achieve moremore sustainable constructionsustainable construction

1.S1.Sustainable construction methodsustainable construction methods & & techniquestechniques

The use of resources The use of resources toto become more become more

sustainable sustainable -- decentralised decentralised utility utility systemssystems ((recyclingrecycling ofof grey water, energy grey water, energy production, for waste collectionproduction, for waste collection))

Education and awareness raising Education and awareness raising campaignscampaigns must prepare all relevant must prepare all relevant actors to achieveactors to achieve a more sustainable built a more sustainable built environmentenvironment and and a more efficient use of a more efficient use of the built environmentthe built environment

1.S1.Sustainable construction methodsustainable construction methods & techniques& techniquesOObjectives bjectives due todue to be defined at the European institutions level be defined at the European institutions level

and adapted to each member state’s reality in terms ofand adapted to each member state’s reality in terms of climate:climate:

Improve indoor and outdoor air quality;Improve indoor and outdoor air quality; Improve indoor and outdoor comfort conditions (thermal, Improve indoor and outdoor comfort conditions (thermal,

acoustic and visual);acoustic and visual); Improve the energy efficiency of buildings by implementing Improve the energy efficiency of buildings by implementing

appropriate construction methods andappropriate construction methods and techniques (passive techniques (passive solar design) internalising the best of the local climate solar design) internalising the best of the local climate conditions;conditions;

Reduce CO2 emissions per capita and per sector;Reduce CO2 emissions per capita and per sector; Integrate renewable energy systems (active solar and wind) Integrate renewable energy systems (active solar and wind)

and energy management systems forand energy management systems for permanent monitoring;permanent monitoring; Specify systems to maximise efficiency in operation, making Specify systems to maximise efficiency in operation, making

room for flexible performance room for flexible performance Reduce waste and facilitate waste separation;Reduce waste and facilitate waste separation; Reduce water demand and implement grey water recycling Reduce water demand and implement grey water recycling

systems at the local level;systems at the local level; Reduce running and maintenance costs;Reduce running and maintenance costs; Minimise impact on bio-diversity.Minimise impact on bio-diversity.

ICLEI's Guide to Environmental Manage-ICLEI's Guide to Environmental Manage-ment for Local Authorities in Central and ment for Local Authorities in Central and

Eastern EuropeEastern Europe

Volume 16Volume 16

Building ConstructionBuilding Constructionand Maintenanceand Maintenance

Antoaneta Yoveva, SWF, architectAntoaneta Yoveva, SWF, architect

19961996

2. U2. Urban designrban design

The tThe three hree main main thematic objectives that this thematic objectives that this report addressereport addressess are are::

Re-designing and retro-fitting existing Re-designing and retro-fitting existing urban areas to support sustainable urban areas to support sustainable developmentdevelopment

Sustainable design for greenfield sitesSustainable design for greenfield sites Knitting the urban fabric together to Knitting the urban fabric together to

achieve an integrated city wide vision, achieve an integrated city wide vision, including viewing urban areasincluding viewing urban areas in relation in relation to their hinterlandsto their hinterlands

2. U2. Urban designrban designKey urban design themes as the focus of policy objectives, legislation, Key urban design themes as the focus of policy objectives, legislation,

targets, guidance andtargets, guidance and researchresearch the re-use and regeneration of urban land the re-use and regeneration of urban land density of new developmentdensity of new development location of new development location of new development – relation to – relation to public public

transport transport and and other accessibility factorsother accessibility factors design of green structures and city landscapedesign of green structures and city landscape streets and movement structurestreets and movement structure ( (pedestrian and pedestrian and

cycle environment, public spacescycle environment, public spaces, , public transportpublic transport)) promoting mixed usespromoting mixed uses designing for affordable housingdesigning for affordable housing accessible public amenities and services for all accessible public amenities and services for all

social groups;social groups; appropriate conservation, renovation and use/re-use appropriate conservation, renovation and use/re-use

of cultural heritageof cultural heritage sustainable, high quality architecture and building sustainable, high quality architecture and building

technologiestechnologies

2. U2. Urban designrban designAn appropriate urban density must allow forAn appropriate urban density must allow for:: Efficient public transport systemsEfficient public transport systems Affordable urban infrastructures and services Affordable urban infrastructures and services Easy access to collective facilities.Easy access to collective facilities. Creating community identityCreating community identity. . In order to achieve the former objectives, the followingIn order to achieve the former objectives, the followingactions should be taken:actions should be taken:

- - Increase density in urban sprawl areas so as to avoid Increase density in urban sprawl areas so as to avoid excessiveexcessive land consumptionland consumption;;- - Consider the use of ‘maximum standards’ to Consider the use of ‘maximum standards’ to discourage low-density developments.discourage low-density developments.- - Adjust density in central areas to maintain Adjust density in central areas to maintain acceptable quality of life levels.acceptable quality of life levels.- - Preserve green areas among existing and new urban Preserve green areas among existing and new urban areas.areas.- - Develop decentralised nodes in large urban areas.Develop decentralised nodes in large urban areas.- - Use available technologies to adjust densities to Use available technologies to adjust densities to quality of life.quality of life.

3. 3. SustainableSustainable Urban Urban MManagementanagementMost of the recommendations for the EC concern funding Most of the recommendations for the EC concern funding

initiatives, initiatives, due due to beto be accomplished either in framework of accomplished either in framework of existing programmesexisting programmes. .

Dissemination and Promotion of Good Practice and Dissemination and Promotion of Good Practice and MethodsMethods ( (IntegratedIntegrated Urban Local Plans by means of Local Urban Local Plans by means of Local Agenda 21 Sustainable Cities CampaignAgenda 21 Sustainable Cities Campaign))

PPromotromoting ing the key role ofthe key role of active national policies as active national policies as political and financial measures supporting Local Agenda political and financial measures supporting Local Agenda 2121 approaches and methods. approaches and methods.

GGood practice demonstration networks/handbooks to ood practice demonstration networks/handbooks to spread information on availablespread information on available tools.tools.

DDissemination of information on LA21 and EMAS as urban issemination of information on LA21 and EMAS as urban management toolsmanagement tools by strengthening the support given to by strengthening the support given to networks of local and regional authorities,networks of local and regional authorities,

FFacilitating the exchange of information and through acilitating the exchange of information and through awards, eco-labelling andawards, eco-labelling and benchmarking. Training actions benchmarking. Training actions of both local authorities and representatives ofof both local authorities and representatives of NGOs NGOs should be part of this disseminationshould be part of this dissemination

3. 3. SustainableSustainable Urban Urban MManagementanagement– Building Institutional CapacityBuilding Institutional Capacity – Increase– Increaseinstitutional capacity institutional capacity of of local institutionslocal institutionsthrough Structural Funds and other forms of through Structural Funds and other forms of financial support, environmental policiesfinancial support, environmental policies and and rregulatory activities egulatory activities – A A Sustainable Cities Civic Leadership Programme Sustainable Cities Civic Leadership Programme

for local government officials andfor local government officials and politicians should be politicians should be sponsored sponsored

– AAdoption of urban environment management systems doption of urban environment management systems ((EMASEMAS))

– MS to introduce MS to introduce Cumulative Impact Assessment Cumulative Impact Assessment andand Territorial Impact Assessment Territorial Impact Assessment as part of the impact as part of the impact assessment practices through theassessment practices through the provision of guidance provision of guidance

– Proposed Proposed An Urban Environment Framework An Urban Environment Framework DirectiveDirective

4. 4. Sustainable Urban TransportSustainable Urban Transport

Air and Noise PollutionAir and Noise PollutionAir pollution levels, especially sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, particulates, andAir pollution levels, especially sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, particulates, andhydrocarbons, have been falling, and continue to fall, in many western Europeanhydrocarbons, have been falling, and continue to fall, in many western European c cities,ities,

Safety Safety In the accession countries, traffic accidentsIn the accession countries, traffic accidents are rising, and aare rising, and a decoupling between traffic growth and decoupling between traffic growth and

accidents still needs to beaccidents still needs to be realised. Urban areas play a critical role in traffic accidentsrealised. Urban areas play a critical role in traffic accidents Health Health Vehicle emissions, such as carbon monoxide, fine particulates, hydrocarbons,nitrogen Vehicle emissions, such as carbon monoxide, fine particulates, hydrocarbons,nitrogen

oxides, and sulphur oxides have severe effects on health. The whole range ofoxides, and sulphur oxides have severe effects on health. The whole range of effects effects

includes premature death, illnesses, medical care, and reduced physicalincludes premature death, illnesses, medical care, and reduced physical activityactivity Administration Administration inefficient integration between locally managed urban public transportinefficient integration between locally managed urban public transportand urban road systems and often nationally managed railway and highway systems,and urban road systems and often nationally managed railway and highway systems,or the interactions between private and public sector involvement or the interactions between private and public sector involvement

4. 4. Sustainable Urban TransportSustainable Urban Transport

Flexibility is a key condition given the Flexibility is a key condition given the uncertainty of the future. Overall, the ECuncertainty of the future. Overall, the EC should take action by:should take action by:

establishing a clear EU vision on establishing a clear EU vision on sustainable urban transport, and thissustainable urban transport, and this vision should be consistent throughout all vision should be consistent throughout all EU institutions and EU funding;EU institutions and EU funding;

creating a framework for action, and creating a framework for action, and offering guidance to promoteoffering guidance to promote sustainable sustainable urban transport at the local level.urban transport at the local level.

4. 4. Sustainable Urban TransportSustainable Urban TransportSSpecific recommendations to the EC for thepecific recommendations to the EC for the following following

targettarget areas:areas: Policy Coherence at the EU level;Policy Coherence at the EU level; Sustainable Urban Transport Plans;Sustainable Urban Transport Plans; Financial Policies;Financial Policies; Monitoring of Progress Towards Policy ObjectivesbyMonitoring of Progress Towards Policy Objectivesby Using IndicatorsUsing Indicators and Conducting Impact and Conducting Impact

Assessment;Assessment; EC Policy Initiatives;EC Policy Initiatives; Improved Governance;Improved Governance; Dissemination of Good Practices and Knowledge; Dissemination of Good Practices and Knowledge; Promoting Awareness about Sustainable UrbanPromoting Awareness about Sustainable Urban

Transport.Transport.

Sofia map with biking lanesSofia map with biking lanes

With a bike to schoolWith a bike to schoolproject of SWF - 2002project of SWF - 2002

Road Safety Action Plan Road Safety Action Plan 2002 - 20102002 - 2010

31st May 2001 the EC launched its Consultation paper on a31st May 2001 the EC launched its Consultation paper on a3rd3rd RoadRoad SafetySafety ActionAction PlanPlan covering the period 2002- covering the period 2002-22010010 and and sent its documentsent its document to large sample of stakeholdersto large sample of stakeholdersresponsiblresponsible e for for roadroad s safetyafety policy : policy : man, vehicle, infrastructure.man, vehicle, infrastructure.

RSAP ‘s content include sections on: RSAP ‘s content include sections on: key key roadroad safetysafety problems facing the problems facing the EUEU

ways to develop a global and shared ways to develop a global and shared roadroad safetysafety vision vision

setting of casualtysetting of casualty reduction targets reduction targets

strategy to achieve themstrategy to achieve them

EU long-term EU long-term actionaction programme programme

The The basicbasic priorities priorities RSAP refer to: RSAP refer to:

setting of targets to reduce casualties, setting of targets to reduce casualties, elaboration of EU bestelaboration of EU best practice guidelines, practice guidelines, safetysafety investments, investments, secure better compliance with secure better compliance with roadroad

safetysafety rules, rules, user training and testing standards, user training and testing standards, use of use of safetysafety equipment, equipment, safer vehiclessafer vehicles and roads, and roads, safer professional goods transport, safer professional goods transport, post-accident care and the accident andpost-accident care and the accident and

injury data gathering and analysis injury data gathering and analysis

The success of these actions depends The success of these actions depends on their way ofon their way of implementationimplementation

integrated approach, integrated approach, systematic and continuous effort withsystematic and continuous effort with

adequate budget, adequate budget, active participation of active participation of roadroad users users

and authorities and authorities qquantitativeuantitative monitoring of monitoring of safetysafety

level and measures implementation level and measures implementation and performance and performance

CEHAPECEHAPE

Regional Priority Goal IRegional Priority Goal I – –

to prevent and significantly reduce to prevent and significantly reduce the morbiditythe morbidity and mortality arising and mortality arising from gastrointestinal disorders and from gastrointestinal disorders and other health effects, by ensuringother health effects, by ensuring that that adequate measures are taken to adequate measures are taken to improve access to safe and improve access to safe and affordable water andaffordable water and adequate adequate sanitation for all children.sanitation for all children.

CEHAPECEHAPE

Regional Priority Goal IIRegional Priority Goal II

––tto prevent and substantially o prevent and substantially reduce healthreduce health consequences consequences from accidents and injuries and from accidents and injuries and pursue a decrease in morbidity pursue a decrease in morbidity from lack offrom lack of adequate physical adequate physical activity, by promoting safe, activity, by promoting safe, secure and supportive human secure and supportive human settlements forsettlements for all children.all children.

CEHAPECEHAPE

Regional Priority Goal IIIRegional Priority Goal III

–– to prevent and reduce respiratory to prevent and reduce respiratory disease due todisease due to outdoor and indoor air outdoor and indoor air pollution, thereby pollution, thereby ccontributing to a ontributing to a reduction in the frequency ofreduction in the frequency of asthmatic attacks, in order to ensure asthmatic attacks, in order to ensure that children can live in an that children can live in an environment with cleanenvironment with clean air.air.

CEHAPECEHAPE

Regional Priority Goal IVRegional Priority Goal IV - - to reducto reducee the risk of disease and the risk of disease and

disability arising from exposure disability arising from exposure to hazardous chemicals (such as to hazardous chemicals (such as heavy metals), physicalheavy metals), physical agents agents (e.g. excessive noise) and (e.g. excessive noise) and biological agents and to biological agents and to hazardous working environmentshazardous working environments

during pregnancy, childhood andduring pregnancy, childhood and adolescenceadolescence

Further Opportunities at European LevelFurther Opportunities at European Level

European Car Free Day – 22nd September European Car Free Day – 22nd September http://www.22september.org/info/en/camp.htmlhttp://www.22september.org/info/en/camp.html

European Mobility Week - 16-22nd SeptemberEuropean Mobility Week - 16-22nd Septemberhttp://www.22september.org/http://www.22september.org/

Cities and Towns Campaign (which implements Cities and Towns Campaign (which implements the Aalbourg Charter - Local Agenda 21)the Aalbourg Charter - Local Agenda 21)

http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/urban/aalborg.htmhttp://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/urban/aalborg.htm

Urban Green DaysUrban Green Dayshttp://www.urbangreendays.org/http://www.urbangreendays.org/