Date: 22.03.2007 - 22.03.2007
Half of the world’s population will live in urban areas by 2008. Cities have become major engines of economic growth but they are also major sources of pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. They suffer from problems such as poverty, social exclusion, crime and racism. The way they are built (eg. big shopping centres in suburbs) leads to enormous waste of resources and energy. Can our cities be made carbon-neutral, energy-efficient, less polluting, more citizen-friendly and socially inclusive?
As the EU Commission, member states and city authorities are taking an increasing interest in these issues, Foundation EurActiv will hold a special lunchtime stakeholder workshop / discussion session to be able to contribute to future coverage with your questions and opinions. The workshop will take place on 22 March 2007 in Brussels. Some of the contributors will include: Brigitte Ollier (Director, UITP – International Association of Public Transport), Hans van der Loo (Head of EU Liaison Office, SHELL), Guyla Hegyi (MEP Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety), Catherine Parmentier (CEO EuroCities), and others.
The main questions to be addressed will be the following:
• Environmental and energy sustainability: congestion & mobility solutions, pollution & waste, energy efficiency, carbon-free cities;
• Social integration: cultural diversity, immigration issues
• Urban planning: urban sprawl, new innovative planning solutions
More info at sustainability@euractiv.com.
16.03.2007
