International Symposium CEMAT “The accessibility and the attractivity of the territories rural

and wedged (landlocked): Sustainable transports and services of general interest”

Andorra La Vella, 25 October 2007

Statement by Mr Jean-Claude FRECON, Member of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe

Mr Chairman,

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am delighted to be here today with you to discuss issues which are at the heart of the preoccupations facing our regions and municipalities. We should not forget that it is at these levels that the territorial dimension of sustainable development policies is implemented. The accessibility and attractivity of Europe’s towns, cities and regions is high on the agenda of regional and local authorities in response to the challenges they face of globalization, demographic changes, unemployment and a damaged environment.

Throughout Europe, towns, cities and regions are acting as locomotives for change. They are putting in place innovative and creative responses to ensure balanced territorial development.  This notion of balance is vital. Although only twenty per cent of Europeans live in rural zones, it would be a grave mistake to dismiss their needs as less important than those of city dwellers.

We in the Congress of local and regional authorities of the Council of Europe, believe that the answers to the needs of our rural communities and the needs of our urban communities are not in opposition; on the contrary, they are interlinked and complementary.  If Europe and its citizens are to thrive, our societies must be based on the values of equity, sustainability and quality of life for all.  Thus, it is vital that our territorial and spatial planning policies address the needs of all our citizens, no matter where they live.  Our policies must aim to oppose the rural exodus and the urbanization that some consider to be unstoppable. We should work to maximise the mutual benefits and interdependence of urban and rural areas in a truly sustainable way.

The current context of decline in rural services and accessibility is detrimental to us all, no matter where we live. In the Congress we consider improved rural accessibility as a means towards greater sustainability. It is with this in mind that the Committee on Sustainable Development of the Congress is currently preparing two reports: one on services of general interest in rural areas and the other on intra-regional transport.  These studies are identifying innovative policies to forestall rural depopulation, to ensure the long-term viability of rural economies, and to boost rural employment.

There is clearly a correlation between local and regional territorial dynamism and their capacity to organise services appropriate to needs. We believe in building effective partnerships between all levels of governance to develop territorial policies which enhance the accessibility and sustainability of rural areas. Who are these partners? They are between different levels of administration, between public and private sectors and between authorities and civil society.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Innovation is needed in our towns, cities, districts and regions. Territorial authorities should make full use of  information and communication technologies to improve rural access to social, health and administrative services, to education and to participation in the democratic process. The introduction of poles of multi-purpose and mobile services in order to meet the essential needs of citizens in rural areas offer  further examples of good practices. There are many such practices and we strongly believe in the need and value of exchanging  experiences.

The Congress also believes that a diversified, efficient and accessible public transport network is essential for a properly functioning local economy and for regional development.  It is the key to unrestricted movement of goods, services and people and to good inter- and intra-regional communication.  It also provides the mobility that is indispensable for the daily activities of work, study and leisure.

Lifestyle developments have had a great impact on population distribution, land use and the organisation of services for the public.  In particular they have resulted in steadily growing mobility flows, mainly involving car use and road transport which I would describe as unsustainable.

Indeed, issues related to transport developments generally are one of the greatest political challenges to sustainable development and to combating climate change.  If we want to succeed in building a Europe of sustainable communities, indeed if we are to ensure the long-term survival of our planet, we must make mobility and transport policies a central issue as regards the quality of life and societal choices. 

We must make sure that national and regional policies are developed in tandem in order to avoid the growth of disparities between different parts of a territory. For example, the introduction of high speed trains is fundamentally changing the temporal geography of Europe with cities becoming closer and rural areas being left behind. Territorial authorities have a duty to respond positively to this trend by developing complementary transport infrastructures at the intra-regional level.

European integration, growing transfrontier co-operation and disappearing borders make it natural for us to think in terms of building networks, partnerships and exchanges which go beyond national boundaries. The Congress has a long-standing experience in the field and strongly promotes transfrontier and interregional cooperation which strengthens territorial cohesion and helps to reduce disparities between regions. The networks which have been set up within the framework of the Council of Europe's Convention on Transfrontier Co-operation are the driving force behind numerous projects in the field of regional development, environmental protection and public service.  Examples include the Adriatic and Black Sea Euro-regions, the Euro-districts and NALAS, the network of local authorities in  South East Europe.

I would like to conclude by stressing once again the great importance of involving local and regional authorities in the decision-making on territorial cohesion and sustainability. I am certain that during your deliberations at this symposium, you will address this issue and pay due attention to the role of local and regional governments when addressing spatial planning. I wish this conference every success.