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Ensuring quality of life in Europe's cities and towns

Publication Created 28 May 2009 Published 28 May 2009
1 min read
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In May 2008, the Council of Europe's Congress of Local and Regional Authorities captured the concerns and desires of urban policy‑makers and citizens in the title of its new European Urban Charter: Manifesto for a new urbanity. Like numerous other international and European charters, conventions and declarations, the manifesto describes with some apprehension the 'unprecedented environmental, democratic, cultural, social and economic challenges' facing urban centres and their inhabitants. Our report on quality of life in Europe's cities and towns reiterates these concerns but also unravels the many apparent paradoxes of urban development and the sometimes perplexing realities of urban Europe today. The report defines a vision for progress towards a more sustainable, well‑designed urban future.
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Publication Created 28 May 2009 Published 28 May 2009
1 min read
EEA Report No 5/2009
In May 2008, the Council of Europe's Congress of Local and Regional Authorities captured the concerns and desires of urban policy‑makers and citizens in the title of its new European Urban Charter: Manifesto for a new urbanity. Like numerous other international and European charters, conventions and declarations, the manifesto describes with some apprehension the 'unprecedented environmental, democratic, cultural, social and economic challenges' facing urban centres and their inhabitants. Our report on quality of life in Europe's cities and towns reiterates these concerns but also unravels the many apparent paradoxes of urban development and the sometimes perplexing realities of urban Europe today. The report defines a vision for progress towards a more sustainable, well‑designed urban future.

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: 978-92-9167-994-2
: TH-AL-09-005-EN-C

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Figures used

PM10 showing the 36th highest daily values at urban background sites superimposed on rural background concentrations, 2005 PM10
The Netherlands — expenditure The Netherlands
Projected estimate of exposure to flood for artificial land-use classes Projected estimate of exposure to flood for artificial land-use classes
Maximum number of PM10 daily limit value (50 µg/m3) exceedance in the 24 Italian urban areas occurred, 2006 # Data refer to background monitoring stations; * No data available.
Distribution of the Structural Funds 2007-2013 allocated to transport Sustainable transport is defined as: rail, shipping, inland waters, cycling, multimodal transport, intelligent transport systems, and clean urban transport
Cycling paths and lanes in European cities
Dresden-Prague corridor, scenario location
Rotterdam region — contributions to NO2 and PM10 concentration from different sources, 2000 Rotterdam
Urban growth and population development 1990-2000
Distribution of Cohesion Funds spent in sewerage and purification compared to urban sprawl in Spain
Urbanisation in European regions
Perceived and reported noise pollution EC, 2007a and 2007 data reported under the Directive on environmental noise (EEA, 2008)
Definitions of urban areas
Average floor space per resident in core cities, 2004 For Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Croatia, Estonia, France, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Norway and Switzerland the data are from 2001
Traffic noise map of Rotterdam, the Netherlands
Public transport passengers * Figure refers to a public transport network that serves twice the amount of the city's population.
Elbe catchment area: the Dresden-Prague corridor
Per capita urban waste production
Archived
Key past and projected impacts and effects on sectors for the main biogeographic regions of Europe
Development of Prague (2020) according to the EEA Outlook scenario
Climate change impacts — exposure to flood risk under the climate change scenario A2 Several major European cities (> 100 000 inhabitants) are potentially exposed to flood events (return period 100 years)
Apparent southward shift of European cities — due to climate change, 2070-2100
Population change in cities compared with national change between 1991-2004
Max road-traffic intensity (no of cars/hour)
Stockholm, Sweden: green and red finger zoning plans
Built-up areas, road network and population increases, selected EEA countries
Number of passenger cars per 1 000 inhabitants in the 24 municipalities (1996, 2000, 2005, 2006)
Urban Audit cities — number and origin of newcomers, 2004 For Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Croatia, France, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Poland and Portugal the data are from 2001.
Discomfort temperature as built (left) and as adapted (right)
Perceived and reported green space In the municipality of e.g. Brussels, where there are few areas of green space, most respondents expressed satisfaction with the supply of green open space; whereas in e.g. Bratislava, where there are large areas of green open space, the level of satisfaction was much lower
Rising average size of newly completed dwellings
Noise data for 52 European cities The questionnaire asked how many people were exposed to what noise classes.
Energy consumption for passenger transport versus density
Elbe catchment area: evolution of exposure to flood in the period 1990-2000
Perceived and reported air pollution Percieved and reported air pollution
Car fleet composition per emission standards in 2006

News and articles

Turning the urban challenge into an opportunity Copenhagen, 2 July 2011. Up to 150 mm of rainfall in two hours – a city record since measurements began in the mid-1800s. Homes destroyed. Citizens and emergency services struggled to cope. This is one example of how excessive extreme weather events can affect a European capital – events that are expected more often under climate change.
Forests, health and climate change Forests are essential to our survival and well-being. Forests clean our air, our water, our soil and they regulate our climate, amongst many other things. Trees and forests are not always associated with urban landscapes. However, there too they provide invaluable, often invisible, services. Simply by acting as 'green oasis' in our concrete jungles, they offer recreation and health services for many European citizens.
European Mobility Week 2010: travel smarter, live better Widespread and increasing use of motor vehicles in urban areas impacts not only human health but also the quality of life in cities. During European Mobility Week, 16–22 September, more than 1 500 cities across Europe will promote sustainable transport in urban areas and let their residents enjoy a car-free day. The European Environment Agency has tips to help you make your daily trips more environmentally friendly.
Europe's coasts: reconciling development and conservation Europe’s coastal zones are under increasing pressure from erosion, pollution, climate change, urbanisation and tourism. Such pressures threaten entire ecosystems — vital not only for wildlife but also for the economy and human well-being. The European Environment Agency (EEA) takes a closer look at the state of coastal ecosystems and policy responses to the pressures affecting them.
Europe in bloom: a living façade adds life to central Copenhagen From the depths of oceans to the highest summits, from icy waters to baking deserts, life flourishes in every corner of our planet. On 22 May, World Biodiversity Day, the European Environment Agency shows how by mimicking nature we can redesign our cities to enhance green space and biodiversity.
Best way to get around: bicycle, car or on foot? Every day, millions of Europeans make short trips to work, school or the shops. Their choice of how to reach their destination has a significant impact on the environment. During European Mobility Week from 16 to 22 September 2009, Europe will focus on sustainable mobility in urban areas. The European Environment Agency has tips to help you make your daily trips more environmentally friendly.
Urban frontrunners — cities and the fight against global warming Barcelona is becoming a leader in solar energy use, Malmö is developing a carbon neutral residential area and London is setting ambitious greenhouse gas reduction targets. Cities are joining in the fight against climate change.

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