Abstract
Since 2000 the Flemish authorities have developed a coherent policy framework for urban development. In 2003 a White Paper was published after which the previous (2004–2009) and present (2009–2014) Flemish governments took up these challenges. The main objectives are formulated in the two Policy Notes on Urban Development of 2004 and 2009. This policy development at the Flemish regional level has to be framed within the broader European developments (in particular the 2007 Leipzig Charter). The major issues of this urban policy are also incorporated in the two overarching regional strategies (Strategy for Sustainable Development 2006, 2011) and the Flanders in Action Plan (adopted in 2006). Both include elements for a green urban economy. The focus of the current urban policy initiative (2009–2014) is on cities as engines for societal, economic and cultural innovation, however without neglecting the urban vulnerabilities. The core issue remains the fragile balance between the living and centre-functions of cities, which needs to be re-enforced for the city dwellers. The urban policy initiative contains four major instruments: (1) the “cities fund”, (2) the “city-contract”, (3) the “urban renovation projects” and (4) the “city monitor”. This chapter aims to provide an overview with a focus on outcomes and current challenges.
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Notes
- 1.
The Research Centre of the Flemish Government published in February 2011 a benchmark of Flanders compared to Denmark, Baden-Württemberg, Bayern, The Basque Country, Midi-Pyrénées, Oost-Nederland, West-Nederland, Zuid-Nederland, Finland, Sweden, North West (UK), Eastern (UK), South East (UK), South West (UK), Scotland. It does not contain indicators on urban policy issues.
Available at: http://vlaandereninactie.be/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Flanders_Outlook_2011.pdf
- 2.
Additional financing (220.000,-euro) for innovative urban projects is announced in the Policy Brief 2011–2012 of the Flemish Minister for Urban Policy.
- 3.
- 4.
“(…) be synthesised into four core policy levers, or types of policy instruments, that can be employed by sub-national authorities: (i) regulatory authority; (ii) government spending; (iii) financial incentives; and (iv) information and advocacy. These levers can be applied internally (i.e. toward internal government operations, facilities, and staff) or externally (i.e. toward the public, local businesses, or others in a position to take action to help implement the city‘s goals) (Hammer 2009)” (Hammer et al. o.c. at p. 73).
- 5.
This budget is part of the budget for the Agency for the Interior, which belongs to the Public Governance policy domain, one of the 13 policy domains of the Administration of the region of Flanders.
- 6.
Legal basis is the Flemish decree of 13 December 2002 and Executive Orders of 27 January 2003 and 11 December 2009.
- 7.
The Flemish Community Commission in Brussels receives 13.2 million euro (in addition to the amount for the 13 Flemish cities).
- 8.
Based on the decree of 22 March 2002 and Executive Orders of 16 March 2007 and 17 Augustt 2010.
- 9.
The tasks of the Urban team are: (1) preparation, implementation, support and evaluation of the regional urban policy; (2) management of the Cities Fund; (3) supporting the urban renewal projects; (4) development and management of the City Monitor; (5) co-ordination of the follow-up of the City contracts; (6) communication campaigns (“At home in the city”) and the award competition.
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De Mulder, J. (2013). Sustainable Urban Development Policy in the Region of Flanders. In: Simpson, R., Zimmermann, M. (eds) The Economy of Green Cities. Local Sustainability, vol 3. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-1969-9_35
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