1 METREX management changes and how to bring these about

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1 Second meeting of the METREX Steering Group (SG) Friday 5 February to METREX SG meeting Helsinki EU Office Rue Belliard B-1040 BRUSSELS helsinki.euoffice@euhel.be See also Agenda Notes for the second SG meeting. ACTION NOTES 1 METREX management changes and how to bring these about New MC structure President, two Vice Presidents and up to seven METREX Members, plus the Treasurer/Auditor and the Secretary General, making a new Managing Committee (MC) of up to twelve colleagues. The Treasurer/Auditor is appointed by the MC, as is the Secretary General. Up to ten members of the MC will be elected. The electoral roll of METREX currently comprises 46 voting Members. Step 1 GA to agree the new structure of the MC Step 1 will be carried out electronically as follows. Friday 19 March - ega Agenda circulated to METREX Members proposing the new structure of the MC. The required two months notice given of the ega on Friday 21 May. Friday 21 May - ega held to approve the proposed new structure of the MC. Majority required from a 50% vote. Saturday 29 May - METREX Vilnius/Riga Managing Committee Meeting to approve the electoral arrangements for the new MC. Step 2 Election for the President, Vice Presidents and MC members All METREX Members must be given the opportunity to vote directly, whether they can attend the Berlin GA or not. The Statutes enable voting to be by letter or fax but METREX now uses electronic voting for the convenience of Members and the Secretariat. Hannu also wishes Members to be given the opportunity to vote after hearing presentations from candidates for President or Vice President. All candidates, including those for the MC itself, can be give the opportunity to include short Statements with the voting papers. Step 2 will, therefore, be carried out with a choice of electronic voting for those who cannot attend the Berlin GA Elections and voting at the GA, or prior electronic voting, for those who can attend. Those who cannot attend also have the option of nominating one other Member to represent them. This means that those attending can bring their voting papers with them to the GA, if they wish, and leave casting their vote until they have heard the Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates speak. 1

2 Politicians are preferred for the posts of President and Vice President in order to be able to represent METREX with authority. Step 2 can then be carried out as follows. Monday 31 May - Nominations sought for the President, Vice Presidents and MC members. Friday 18 June - Nominations close. The required three months before the GA on Saturday 18 September. Monday 12 July - Berlin ega and GA Agenda circulated and voting opens. Saturday 18 September - Berlin ega and GA held to vote for the new MC. 2 Role of the Brussels antennae The Brussels antennae currently comprise colleagues from Helsinki, Stuttgart, Hamburg and Ile-de- France. METREX Members with Brussels offices are also invited to join the antennae and contribute to the information and intelligence gathering activities. The antennae also represent METREX at Brussels events when the need arises. Colleagues from Helsinki, Stuttgart and Ile-de- France were invited to clarify their areas of EU interest and how responsibilities are shared. 3 European relations - EU and Territorial Cohesion Sylvia and Adrian spoke to the attached two draft papers on, Metropolitan Regions for a place-based strategy in a cohesive Europe with green and connected growth. Metropolitan Regions taking part in future EU regional Policy - four concrete suggestions. Hannu requested that the Papers should be circulated within the Network for observations and, in particular, to the Lead Partners of the Expert Groups on Intra Polycentricity and Employment Location. METREX has been invited to attend the following meetings on the issue of Territorial Cohesion. 24 February - EU Parliamentary intergroup URBAN-Housing - the European Parliament's intergroup aiming to strengthening the urban dimension in EU policies. It brings together more than 70 Members of the European Parliament and some 60 public and private partners (European cities, networks, NGOs etc.) 12 March - Meeting with DG Regio 4 Co-operation with other European organisations The following organisations (NGO's) were felt to have possible common interests with METREX. They will be invited to the Berlin Conference to explore these. The Secretary General will make the necessary contacts and produce an Agenda. Global IFHP- Have asked METREX to publicise their May Conference in Rabat INTA Isocarp - Supported by the Dutch Government, with IFHP and INTA. Metropolis The Association of North East Asia Regional Governments will be invited to the Berlin Conference. 2

3 European CEMR AER CPMR Eurocities EMTA PURPLE - Common interest in local Food and Energy Plans Institutions ESPON Nordregio The Association of North East Asia Regional Governments will be invited to the Berlin Conference. 5 METREX accounts and audit for 2009 Members and budget for 2010 The Secretary General will provide explanations for the most significant over/under spending in relation to budgetary headings in the METREX Accounts for This commentary will be included in the Vilnius/Riga MC Agenda Notes. Silvia will report on the accountancy services offered to AISBL by Regus. 6 Vilnius/Riga Meeting draft Programme The President has arranged a meeting in Riga on Tuesday 2 March to discuss the arrangements for the Vilnius/Riga Meeting in May and the draft Programme. Keynote speaker invitations have gone to VASAB (Wifried Görmar has accepted), the Union of Baltic Cities (Per Bødker Andersen), Baltic Sea States Subregional Co-operation Network (Birgit Küstner) and DG Regio (Colin Wolfe). 7 Berlin/Brandenburg Conference draft Programme Colleagues from Berlin-Brandenberg have now provided a modified draft Programme (attached). The intention is that the Conference should be held jointly with SCANDRIA, the Conference of Scandinavian Adriatic Corridor for Development on the theme of Living, Learning, Creating, Moving - Quality of Life in Metropolitan Areas. 8 EUCO2 80/50 project Workshop programme in 2010 The possible EUCO2 80/50 Workshop (15) programme is shown on the draft METREX Calendar for 2010 (attached). There will be opportunities for all METREX Members to attend at least one Workshop. 9 Expert Groups update A B The Expert Group on Intra Metropolitan Polycentricity will meet finally in Sofia, from February It is led by Hans Hede from Stockholm County. The activities of the Group have been facilitated by Nordregio (Stockholm) with 10k support from METREX (2010). This professional facilitation model is regarded by the partners as having been a success. The final Report should be available for the Vilnius/Riga Meeting. The Employment Location Group Interim Report will shortly be available from the Group Leader, Thierry Petit of IAU-Idf. It will be placed on the METREX web site. The above two Groups are discussing whether to merge their activities and interests. 3

4 C D An Expert Group on Affordable Housing has been set up and will meet in Glasgow in on Friday 19 to discuss partner Position Statements from Glasgow, Stockholm, Emilia-Romagna, Ile-de-France and Bournemouth (South Coast Metropole). Helsinki will participate and the policy in London will also be considered. A two centre London/Paris working Seminar is being progressed with colleagues from IAU-Idf and the GLA. 10 METREX 2010 Calendar The draft METREX Calendar for 2010 is attached. 11 AISBL Statutes Manöel Dekeyser joined the meeting for a short while to confirm the AISBL position. The revised Statutes change the Registered office, the Financial Year, the need for a Belgian Member and the need for a Royal Decree for further changes. The METREX Schedule of service providers will be required by the end of March and the Tax Return will be made by the end of June. These are all now available (see item 5 above). 12 Sederunt Attached. RR/6/2/2010/Glasgow. 4

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6 M ETRtrX lli., nelwork ()f Eurro;:roaln M(]tr()fi()litLfrr Flugrcns and Ar{)ars :.&f.4t\.,.. 1?:,, Metropolitan Regions for a place-based strategy in a cohesive Europe with green and connected growth DRAFT VERSION. Brussels. Januarv 2010 METREX, the network of more than 50 Metropolitan Regions in Europe, welcomes the entry into force of the new EU Treaty including the territorial cohesion objective. METREX welcomes the priorities proposed in the EU post-lisbon strategy EU2020 which aims at developing a competitive, but also cohesive, connected and greener economy, combining knowledge-based value creation and inclusive societies by empowering people. European Metropolitan Regions, as dynamic motors of growth and territories facing at the same time infra-regional disparities, represent a relevant scale as regards economic, social and territorial cohesion. A balanced development which maximises the full growth potential of the diverse territorial assets of Metropolitan Regions can help to meet key EU challenges including climate change, globalisation and demographic change. Often going beyond traditional administrative borders Metropolitan Regions form dynamic networks of collaboration comprising many stakeholders in big city areas and their surrounding counties or polycentric big city networks within urban-rural zones. Taking into account these elements, METREX advocates a better recognition of the potential of Metropolitan Regions, especially their capacities to deliver integrated governance and to go beyond the antagonism between urban and rural areas. In the context of the design of the post 2013 Cohesion Policy, the network is keen to set up a fruitful dialogue and partnership with the European institutions. METREX pleads for the setting-up of a placed-based European strategy, integrating the economic, social, environmental pillars and taking into consideration the crucial role of Metropolitan Regions in a fast changing globalised world. The crucial role of Metropolitan Regions in the European Union Assets and challenges of Metropolitan Regions: The multi-functionality of Metropolitan Regions makes them dynamic and allows them to be growth areas for EU prosperity. For example, Metropolitan Regions play a key role in defining grounds for new and creative solutions in both economic and societal innovation. They represent a great potential for the EU as a whole. But the complexity of Metropolitan Regions presents also challenges of economic, environmental and social sustainability. Connection between territories is seen as an essential dimension to the territorial cohesion of the EU,

7 but this should respect the different levels of governance. Metropolitan Regions offer a variety of governance models across Europe on different levels. Creating cohesion by metropolitan governance, their models can be seen as best practises for modern regional development - using synergies and levering functions by collaborating beyond traditional administrative borders. Taking into account the interdependency of their territories, Metropolitan Regions are in favour of a placed-based and integrated EU strategy, which could be implemented through the future cohesion policy. Sector-based policies alone or policies limited by traditional administrative borders do not meet the requirements of the dynamic daily life of European citizens. Bridging the urban-rural gap for stronger regional economies: Various metropolitan cooperation patterns bind smaller towns and peripheral urban-rural areas to the functions of dense centres and poly-centres. Metropolitan Regions are key links in the territorial cohesion chain connecting urban with rural areas. In this connection function they offer opportunities to develop sustainable supply chains and clusters in geographic proximity as well as they enable an efficient use of resources. Being homes of world-class firms and research and technical centres, Metropolitan Regions lay the ground for a competitive and knowledge-driven value creation. Metropolitan Regions also offer public services for their citizens and enable thus access to resources. Subsequently Metropolitan Regions are needed as testing grounds for new and creative solutions in economic and societal innovation, including in public policies and services. Cleaner Metropolitan Regions for green growth: Metropolitan Regions account for 40 o/o of Europe's CO2 emissions. For this reason, they form the relevant level of intervention for actions in renewable energy applications, like smart grids and modern solutions in urban and infra-regional mobility. An integrated territorial approach for energy and transport policy is regarded as necessary. METREX as partner in the designing of post 2013 cohesion policy In consideration of the above statements, Metropolitan Regions offer to be partners of the European institutions in defining more in-depth the territorial cohesion concept and its implication in the designing of the future cohesion policy whereby a better urban-rural content and a better focus on multi-level governance at the regional level must be taken into account. Given their role in contributing to EU prosperity, Metropolitan Regions require tailored-made policies and instruments that meet their complex territorial realities. The METRtrX network therefore offers close collaboration to the European institutions, and particularly the European Commission, on the Territorial Cohcsion Concept and its general implementation notably through regional policy.

8 M TTFlEX METROPOLITAN REGIONS taking part in future EU Regional Policy four concrete suggestions - DRAFT VERSION, Brussels January 2010 Working across administrative sectors - a place-based strategy: The DG Regional Policy will have to work creatively with DGs ranging from Transportation, Climate Action, Environment, and Energy to Research and Enterprise, convincing them to develop joint approaches to Metropolitan Regions. A European place-based strategy under consideration of Metropolitan Regions would be one way for the Commission to assure better coherence of its actions. It could thus work across DGs to reshape programs and approaches, making the European Commission - and ideally also Member States - aware and responsible partners for metropolitan Europe. CONCRETE STJGGESTIONS 1.)Pilot actions to test and develop the concept of a Territorial Cohesion in practice:metropolitan Regions offer to be pilot partners in collaboration with the European institutions in the field of Territorial Cohesion Policy concepts that will be developed under the Lisbon Treaty. A set of pilote Metropolitan Regions who cover different types of metropolitan governance and cooperation as well as specific experiencec in other fields will act as keystakeholders in this dalogue. Being a level of EU intervention in the framework of Territorial Cohesion Policy Metropolitan Regions ask for r Calls for projects o Global grants o Ad hoc instruments and pilot projects

9 2.)Alignmcnts of classic EU funding models to better meet new requirements of Territorial Cohesion a.) Future Cohesion Policy needs a better metropoltian and urbanrural content- a mandatory axis: Discussions in the High Level Group reflecting on the future Cohesion Policy as well as Urban Research evaluating Objective 2 measures brought to light: the previous Cohesion Policy was lacking involvement of the metropolitan, cityregional and urban-ruralevel. To overcome these challenges Metropolitan Regions ask for an option already foreseen in the current ERDF regulation: a mandatory axis for Metropolitan Regions and Metropolitan Pollzcenters in the furutre Regional rational Prosrammes for territoral linkaqes and new urban-ruralinkages Those Metropolitan Regions and Polycenters who are concemed by more than one Regional Operational Programme have the right to ask for mandatory axis in all those programmes, capita-based or according to other population-based quota. Those territorial entities (local and metropolitan authorities or public associations, public equivalent bodies, etc.) that are eligible for current EIJ action programmes as well as for Objective 3 programmes can be considered as stakeholders of appropriate measures for territorial linkages, including cross-borderegions. Future Regional Operational Programmes should be mandatory aligned with the territorial agendas and innovation programmes of all territorial stakeholders in the regions in order to guarantee a better metropolitan and urban-rural content. b.) Working across borders: New Interreg-Lines, like an extended A- line in the Territorial cooperation programmes Interreg. The current scopes of territorial cooperation areas in the A-programmes of Interreg - the crossborder approach - are to small to have economic impact and better connectivity. To reach better esults the A-Line should be opened for cooperation of Metropolitan Regions and Metropolitan Polycenters in wider crossborder areas. On top of that a funding instrument for model cooperation of Metropolitan Regions/ Polycenters and their wieder rural areas in the Interreg-C-line could serve the same purpose. c.) Local initiatives, local action groups: A metro LEADER fund that allows local and supralocal action groups in the Metropolitan Regions and Metropolitan Polycenters to experiment in networking and establishing,,labs" for new territorial cooperation and territorial cohesion approaches - be it in management and administration, land use patterns, transport and connectivity, innovation and cross-border issues, but always under a European perspective.

10 METREX Meeting Helsinki EU Office, Brussels, Friday the Sth February List of participants Name Organisation Adrian Solitander Helsinki EU Office ad hel. be Miliza Ryoti City of Helsinki Sylvia Schreibev Reinhard Henke Stuttgart Region sylvi a. sch rei re g i on - stuttgart.de Frankfurt Region rei n h ard. hen ke@ p la n u n gsverbo n d.de Anne-Marie Chavanon IAU-IDF an ne-marie. chava Tim Page METREX ti m. page@eurometrex. org Roger Read METREX roger. rom etrex. org Hannu Penttild Helsinki/METREX hannu.penttila@hel.fi