EU Member States' ministers responsible for urban development gathered at an informal meeting on 29 November adopted the New Leipzig Charter, as part of Germany’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
The charter reflects the principles of modern urban development policy and was developed jointly in a two-year participatory process at the national and European levels. It emphasises orienting European cities more to the common good. This includes providing vital public services reliably as well as reducing social, economic and environmental disadvantages. The charter aims to bolster integrated urban development for the common good, in the interest of preserving and improving quality of life in all of Europe’s cities and communities. The principles of the New Leipzig Charter are meant to be incorporated into national, regional and local urban development strategies. The charter also calls for municipal authorities to make greater use of the opportunities available through the European structural funds.
Along with the New Leipzig Charter, the meeting of ministers also adopted a second document entitled “Implementing the New Leipzig Charter through Multi-Level Governance: Next steps for the Urban Agenda for the EU”. This document is a basis for further cooperation at local, regional, national and European level, to better deal with issues facing cities and communities in Europe. Both documents underscore the need for close cooperation among all partners in the EU.
Discover the New Leipzig Charter here.
More information: https://www.bmi.bund.de/SharedDocs/pressemitteilungen/EN/2020/12/new-leipzig-charter.html
