Organised by the European Commission, Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy, and the City of Porto, the "CITIES Forum 2020 – "together we shape a sustainable urban future" was a two-day major event bringing together more than 700 key stakeholders from European, national and local levels and all EU member states on 30th and 31st January 2020. The Forum was a place for all stakeholders to capitalise on common achievements and reflect on the future directions of urban development within Cohesion Policy including the future of the Urban Agenda for the EU.
Many stakeholders relevant in the urban acquis, including umbrella organisations and NGO’s, contributed to the success of this edition of CITIES Forum by being speakers, leading workshops, and hosting stands. Additionally, more than 30 politicians representing all different tiers of government from all over Europe representing balanced geography, gender and sizes of cities participated in plenary debates.
In addition working in an integrating and participatory way, collaborating with neighbouring territories and networking with other cities, citizens and other levels of governance are the cornerstones of sustainable urban development. It is precisely through this working method where the added value of Cohesion Policy support can be found for cities in this new period.
A small exhibition was also open to participants where urban organisations and networks hosted stands, engaged and provided information on urban programmes and initiatives.
53 EU-funded good urban practices projects form all of the Member States were selected from the Cohesion Policy funded programme and exhibited during CITIES Forum. Through a public poll, participants were then able to choose a favourite project per one of the five categories. The corresponding project representatives will be contacted to receive the award certificate.
The results of the poll were the following:
