Citizen Participation in the Urban Planning Process

Proper planning asks for citizens’ participation. This process may be a round table or workshops or a large public debate with stakeholders direct or indirect affected or interested. The general objective of the document is to contribute in stimulating “demand” for public participation in the planning process, inviting the local major stakeholders to navigate through the a large array of techniques which in long run certainly help for a good governance in the municipalities.

Fiscal Decentralization, Options for Donor Harmonisation

Since the beginning of the 1990s, most developing countries have embarked in a process of subsequent decentralization, combining political, administrative and fiscal aspects. In this context, the Secretariat of the Development Partners Working Group on Local Governance and Decentralization (DPWG-LGD) has commissioned a desk study in the area of Fiscal Decentralization with a focus on local taxation, in order to produce recommendations on two levels: (i) Simplification and optimisation of fiscal systems and (ii) harmonisation of development partners’ interventions. The desk study has been conducted by an individual consultant from Germany and  used sources of information provided by the working group members as well as other sources from her professional experience. Reference is made to positive as well as negative experience in a range of countries, including states at different stages of fiscal decentralization. With regard to revenue generation at sub-national levels, the focus is on real property tax and market fees and taxes. Selected examples regarding innovative modalities for performance-based grants, sub-national borrowing and public-private partnerships are also analysed.

Legislation and analysis of the implementation of spatial and urban planning

One of the most important and biggest competencies that have been transferred from the central to the local level is spatial and urban planning. Planning is a responsibility shared by central and local authorities. Spatial and urban planning is a continuous process that needs to be mutually coordinated in a complementary way. Likewise, it needs to be coordinated with the large number of priorities coming from different areas of competency, in particular economic and social development and environmental protection. This publication is an effort to analyse the legislation and implementation of the spatial and urban planning in Albania, Kosovo, Macedonia, Moldova, Republic of Srpska and Turkey.

Disaster for the municipalities

Pforzheim is a town of nearly 119 000 inhabitants in the state of Baden-Württemberg, southwest Germany. It is world-famous for its jewelry and watch-making industry. Because of that it gained the nickname "Goldstadt" or Golden City. It has an area of 98 km² and is situated between the cities of Stuttgart and Karlsruhe. Unfortunately, lately the city is becoming famous for another thing. On 5 January 2010, "Die Welt" published a story of a long struggle of the town Mayoress and her ciry treasurer that may lead to a legendary loss of 77.5 million euro in the years 2014-2017. The translated vesrion of the story is available at the link below.

NALAS Declaration on Active Involvement of Local Authorities of South East Europe in EU Integration Process

During its 5th general assembly held in Istanbul on December 11, 2009, NALAS, the network of 15 local governments’ associations of South East Europe, adopted a declaration addressing the role of the local authorities of South East Europe in the EU Integration Process. This declaration is a result of a continuous commitment of NALAS and its members to an effective process of EU integration and a round table discussion at the NALAS General Assembly meeting.  

Talent for Governance

In 2010 Talent for Governance will provide a limited amount of scholarships to young, talented and motivated civil servants, working for local governments in developing countries and Eastern European (non-EU) countries. The courses offer an opportunity to see, do and experience governance from a typically local point of view. Contributions and cases come from local governance experts from all parts of the world. By following these courses, the civil servants will develop the knowledge and skills they need to improve living conditions in their local societies. Teh application period is from 9 December 2009 to 1 March 2010.

Resolution of the Presidium of the German Association of Towns and Municipalities of 1 December 2009

The impacts of the financial and economic crisis are increasingly being felt in the cities and towns. Tax revenues heavily drop, while social expenditure is exploding. Municipalities are to look after children and ensure security, rehabilitate schools and eliminate waste water, pay social welfare benefit and strengthen local crafts - in short, provide an attractive environment. The gap between the collapsing revenues and skyrocketing costs of the municipalities will become wider in the next few years. The financial crisis is already determined policy decisions. Given this precarious situation, the German cities and municipalities are calling for a recue system and sustainable municipal consolidation package. Click below to read the whole document.  

Course in International Co-operation and Urban Development

MUNDUS URBANO is an interdisciplinary Erasmus Mundus Masters Course in International Cooperation and Urban Development. It is jointly offered by four leading European Universities and supported by the European Commission. Full scholarships (2 years) are offered to non-EU students, Western Balkan coutries and Turkey, to cover the tuition fee and all expenses of study (48 000€). However, the deadline is soon: By December 1st, 2009 for non-EU students (10 scholarship), Western Balkan countries and Turkey and by Januay 1st, 2010 for non-EU scholars. More information on the website below.

Economic and financial crisis: impact on towns and regions worse than thought!

Contrary to statements by EU and international institutions that 2010 will see an economic and financial improvement, Europe's local and regional authorities fear that 2010 will be as difficult as 2009 or even worse. This is the main finding of CEMR's second survey on the impact of the crisis on Europe's towns and regions. The survey was compiled from the data provided by 32 associations of local and regional government members of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions.