The first European Urban Charter, adopted by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe in 1992, was a ground-breaking step for Europe and marked a key stage in the necessary recognition of the urban phenomenon in the development of our societies. Since then, our societies, economies and cultures have undergone far-reaching changes. In a context of rapid change and of massive urban development, towns and cities now face challenges on an unprecedented scale.

The European Urban Charter II – Manifesto for a new urbanity complements and updates the original Congress contribution and proposes a new approach to urban living, urging European countries to build sustainable towns and cities. The Manifesto aims to establish a body of common principles and concepts enabling towns and cities and their inhabitants to meet the current challenges facing urban societies. It is an invitation to local authorities, in all their diversity and on the basis of shared European values, to implement the principles of ethical governance, sustainable development and greater solidarity in their public policies. This Manifesto conveys an ambitious and demanding message to all those involved in urban development.
 

Plenary session: The Congress adopted the European Urban Charter II

At its Plenary Session in Strasbourg (France), in May 2008, the Congress adopted the European Urban Charter II: Manifesto for a new urbanity. Presenting the draft text, Myriam Constantin, member of the Congress, pointed out, “The role of towns is and will be increasingly important. We wish to reaffirm, promote and acknowledge it with all the responsibilities it entails for each of us. This is our chief ambition.” “However, a Manifesto alone is not enough. We, the cities, will have to take the initiative ourselves to come to an actual implementation,” said Henk Kool, Vice-Mayor of the Hague and Vice-Chair of Eurocities when he addressed the members of the Congress on the occasion of the presentation of the urban charter. In the Recommendation and Resolution adopted on 29 May 2008, the Congress called upon local authorities and governments to convert the principles underlying the Manifesto into action and public policies in order to build a Europe of sustainable and cohesive towns and cities serving its citizens. (more...) Video of the debate