The EU Agenda for Cities offers a strategic vision to empower cities in tackling local challenges, contributing to meeting broader EU goals. It provides a unified framework to strengthen the territorial and urban dimensions of EU policies and streamline existing support for urban areas. Furthermore, it calls for more dialogue with local authorities about their needs and experiences to inform future EU policies and legislation.
Cities are crucial hubs for Europe's prosperity and competitiveness, playing a key role in job creation, social inclusiveness, decarbonisation and sustainability. They are therefore at the forefront of addressing vital challenges for the continent’s future.
Currently, approximately 75% of the EU population - around 340 million people - reside in cities and urban areas. This underscores the significance of cities as centres of talent, innovation and investment. However, cities face significant challenges such as affordable housing, high energy costs, security, social segregation, and climate impacts. Additionally, demographic shifts and the demand for public services require adaptive strategies to retain skilled workforces and bolster economic and social cohesion.