European metropolitan areas get together for social cohesion
Last June 5, Grand Lyon hosted the European Metropolitan Authorities (EMA) forum, an initiative led by the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona which is the space of reference for the metropolises of the region to share experiences, foster joint projects and position themselves
On its fifth edition, the yearly conference took a step further in the discussions about the roles and responsibilities of metropolitan governments, which go beyond the implementation of hard policies and infrastructures. With the theme “European inclusive metropolitan areas facing together social challenges”, the V EMA brought together different models of metropolitan governance for and by citizens.
Representatives of 26 metropolitan authorities participated in the event, which was inaugurated by the President of the Metropolis of Grand Lyon, Mr David Kimelfeld, and counted on the attendance of other five Metropolis European members (Berlin, Brussels, Greater Manchester, Madrid and Torino). Mr Kimelfeld invited the representatives of all metropolises present to sign the forum’s political declaration, in order to continue their collaboration within the EMA network in the service of a Europe based on solidarity and close to the concerns of its citizens. Click here to read the Political Declaration of the 5th EMA.
The conference featured keynote speeches from representatives from the European Commission, the academia and research organisations. Moreover, the core of the one-day programme was structured into three roundtables inspired by the report “European Pillar of Social Rights – The role of metropolitan areas in social issues”, recently launched by CIDOB. The discussions took place as follows:
1. “A metropolitan governance for a greater social and territorial cohesion” Which governance and metropolitan policies to address social inclusion issues and urban polarization? Moderated by Lia Brum, Metropolis’ Content Curator & Focal Point for Latin America and Europe
- Ossi Savolainen, Regional Mayor of Helskinki
- Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester
- Adam Wieczorek, Deputy Mayor of Lodz
- Eduardo Rodrigues, President of Metropolitan Area of Porto
- Michel Le Faou, Vice-President of the Metropolis of Grand Lyon
2. “Inclusive economic growth: no one left behind!" How attractive metropolises can implement successful inclusive & employment local policies?
Moderated by Henk Bouwman, Secretary General of METREX, network for European Metropolitan Regions and Areas
- Jean-Claude Dardelet, Vice-President of Toulouse Métropole
- Valérie Glatard, Councillor of Lyon Métropole
- Michal Olszewski, deputy Mayor of Warsaw
- Silvia Cossu, political leader of Città Metropolitana di Torino
3. "Urban planning for all: providing social solutions for differentiated needs" From children to senior citizens: how metropolises design and adapt the city for and with everybody?
Moderated by Alfredo Corbalan, expert on International, European and Interregional Affairs of Perspective Brussels, from the Brussels Capital Region.
- Maria-Teresa Aymerich, Vice-President of Metropolitan Area of Barcelona
- Juraj DROBA, President of Bratislava Region
- Georg Niedermuehlbichler, councillor of Vienna
- Sharon Thompson, Councillor of Birmingham
Traditionally organised during the second semester of the year, the EMA conference was convened in 2019 in early June to seize the occasion of 2nd International Social Housing Festival, also hosted by Grand Lyon from June 4-8. This offered the opportunity to include in the programme of EMA a field visit to “L’Autre Soie”, a former silk factory that today is the location for the European project "Home Silk Road – Housing toward empowerment", which innovatively combines solutions on affordable housing, social economy and sustainable development.
EMA is an initiative promoted by the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona that has become a consolidated forum for the leaders of Europe's major metropolitan areas. Its previous editions took place in Barcelona (2015), Torino (2016), Warsaw (2017) and Rome (2018). EMA’s 6th edition will take place in October 2020 and will be hosted by the metropolitan area of Porto.