THE CITY OF BOLOGNA AND EUROPE
The city of Bologna plays a very active part in European life. As you can see from the following pages Bologna is a partner in a great many projects financed by the European Union. This tendency to "look to Europe" on a natural and daily basis regarding local projects is also borne from the city’s participation in a number of networks of cities which have for years tried to bring the problems of urban life to the attention of the European Union.
NETWORKS
The following are the networks in which Bologna is particularly active:
EUROCITIES
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This association of European cities was founded in 1986. Today there are about a
hundred members, including universities and chambers of commerce. The main aim is the
improvement of the quality of life for the majority of European citizens.
In order to become a Eurocity a city must have at least 250,000 inhabitants and a
democratically elected government. When a request is made by a city to join the network,
the international dimension, the local importance and the activities carried out on a
Community level are all important criteria.
The aims of the association are as follows:
In order to facilitate international co-operation between the member cities, the structure of Eurocities has been organised into different working groups: social affairs, environment, culture, east/west, economic development, transport. Participation in these groups enables the cities to exchange information, share experiences and to create consortia for the presentation of projects to the European Community. The Eurocities administration also diffuses information regarding methods of attaining the available resources for projects and also offers relevant technical support. Bologna was President of the association in 1995 and 1996.
For further information:
TELECITIES
The network was founded in 1993 and has about a hundred member cities. Telecities is
partly financed by European funding, particularly from Directorate-General XIII
(Telecommunications). The objective of the network is to facilitate and develop telematic
applications to be used in the urban regeneration process and in the expansion of local
democracy, so as to consolidate the Information Society. As with Eurocities, the cities
are organised into working groups in order to identify areas of common interest, to share
experiences and to access European funding for specific projects. The experience has been
positive, enabling cities to gain funding which had previously been aimed at businesses
and research institutions. A continuous dialogue has also been established between the
network, the member cities and the relevant Directorates-General in order to make the
needs and programmes of the participating urban areas clearly visible.
Telecities also organises a series of seminars on different themes annually.
The Italian network of Telecittà (Bari, Bologna, Grosseto, Livorno, Modena, Naples, Rome,
Rovigo, Siena, Turin, Venice) was formed in 1998, with the aim of organising Information
Society events in Italy, making other Italian cities aware of European opportunities and
providing a link between city activities and government activities. The Italian network is
co-ordinated by Rome and Bologna.
For further information:
CAR FREE CITIES
The network was founded in 1994, with funding from Directorate-General XI
(Environment).
The member cities investigate solutions to environment problems created by urban traffic,
looking in particular at the possible alternatives to private traffic.
The main aims are the following:
The Car Free Cities network is also organised into working groups which on the one hand aim to work together on community policies and on the other to develop new projects.
For further information:
EUROPEAN FORUM FOR URBAN SAFETY
Network for the promotion of local and European policies on urban safety. The network develops the sharing of experiences, links with European bodies and associations from the participating nations. Once again, the cities of the network often develop projects together. Bologna, which joined in 1994, is in charge of the Sécu Citiés Europe project.
For further information:
HEALTHY CITIES
This project was launched in 1986 by the World Health Organisation in order to develop
innovative strategies in the field of health promotion. This network too is based on a
city level, the city councils being recognised as fundamental in the field of
citizens’ health. By health, life style in general is meant, so involving various
sections of the local administration.
Participating in these activities, and having been designated project city for the period
1994-97, Bologna has gained opportunities for shared knowledge in this sector, not just on
a European level.
For further information:
By Citizens Information Sector
September 1999