::: References

Direct quote from the EU Strategy: 

"29. With regard to the important role of local and regional levels in delivering sustainable
development and building up social capital, it is the overall aim to build sustainable
communities in urban and rural areas where citizens live and work and jointly create a high
quality of life. Approaches like Local Agenda 21 and other processes with broad public
participation must be further strengthened and promoted. Municipalities, cities and towns
should be invited to sign and implement the Aalborg Commitments. Networks at different
levels should support these activities.
30. In this connection the Commission is invited to elaborate possible options of how to promote
the “European Sustainable Cities & Towns Campaign” which provides an exchange of good
practice including the elaboration of quality criteria, indicators and instruments like impact
assessment. The best sustainable development initiatives taken by regional and local
authorities will be awarded prizes on an annual basis. The Commission will invite proposals
from other EU institutions and organisations on how best to organise this."

Leipzig Charter 

On 1 January 2007, Germany has taken over the EU Council Presidency for six months. Within the context of its presidency, Germany will host an informal meeting of the ministers responsible for urban and spatial development in Leipzig on 24 and 25 May 2007. The key policy issue of the informal ministerial meeting will be "Strengthening European cities and their regions - promoting competitiveness, social and territorial cohesion in Europe and in its cities and regions".

Direct quote from the "Leipzig Charter":

"We strongly welcome the statements and the recommendations set out in the Territorial Agenda for the European Union, the European Charter "Network Vital Cities" and the Commission's communication "Cohesion policy and cities: the urban contribution to growth and jobs in the regions". We further recognize the importance of the Aalborg Commitments as a valuable contribution to strategic and coordinated action at a local level."