French presidency of the European Union: "Cities forum" in Montpellier

By adopting the Leipzig Charter in May 2007, European Member States confirmed the importance of urban challenges to achieve sustainable development aims. On the occasion of its presidency of the European Union, France wants to promote this common approach with the meeting of the ministers responsible for housing, cohesion and urban development (Marseilles on 24, 25 and 26 November 2008) and the Cities Forum which will take place in Montpellier on 2 and 3 December 2008.

Refering to experiences and studies managed in European cities, the Cities Forum will stress the importance in terms of operational implementation of the Leipzig Charter.

Several hundred European players in urban policy (elected representatives, experts, representives of associations and professional organizations) will come together, exchange and discuss on means :

• to foster sustainability and solidarity in our cities and integrated approach of urban development;
• tools, methods and indicators building process to implement this politics and measure their progress;
• to lay out a common reference for action towards sustainable European cities.

Twelve workshops will be offered:

• a first series will focus on the theme of " city accessible to all " and adress of the issues of governance and citizen participation as a main thread;
• a second session will present innovative tools and practices serving an integrated approach of urban development.

The Forum sets out to begin a process of adapting and building shared references for a sustainable, united European city.