the EU bank

Thursday, 12 March 2009

Session I - Making connections: inter-city and inter-regional transport

New trends in lifestyles, global trade, immigration, business supply and value chains are transforming the demand for transport infrastructure and the ways in which transport systems are evolving. The development of inter-city and inter-regional transport networks is vital to achieving greater European integration. A modernised transport system also helps us to achieve our environmental goals.

• Do the current trends in inter-regional and inter-city infrastructure support our policy objectives?
• Do we need more competition or more cooperation within and between the different transport sectors?
• How far are we on the road to sustainable mobility?

Session II - Coming together: metropolitan and urban infrastructure

Thriving city and metropolitan areas are essential for achieving core European goals, such as strengthening the knowledge economy, achieving greater environmental sustainability, and building social and economic cohesion. In order to grow our share of global trade and attract skilled labour, cities and metropolitan areas must invest in infrastructure as part of a long-term coordinated strategy.

• Public finance alone will never be enough to meet all infrastructure objectives, so how can metropolitan and urban areas attract private investors and ensure that transport and other infrastructure perform well as investment assets?
• How can public land and public finance be used more effectively?
• What part does city and regional planning play?
• How can cities and metropolitan areas best manage growth and development?
• Environment versus mobility – are these competing goals?

Friday, 13 March 2009

Parallel panels 1 and 2

Panel 1: Getting there - inter-city and inter-regional transport: environmental imperatives

The growth in Europe’s seaports, airports and railway stations has made an important contribution to metropolitan development, as well as to city and regional connectivity. But has there been an environmental cost in some recent travel trends which now needs to be reappraised? The recent growth in inter-city and inter-regional transport is widely perceived to have both supported a sustainable environment (such as high-speed trains) and to have had a detrimental impact (e.g. low-cost airlines). Is this a fair assessment?

• How can existing modes of transport improve their environmental performance?
• Under what circumstances will people choose more environmental modes of travel?
• Can we improve technology rapidly enough to make a difference?

Panel 2: Mind the gap - urban and metropolitan infrastructure: environmental and policy requirements

50% of all emissions come from the urban environment and another 25% from transport and travel. Therefore, meeting climate change goals requires that more cities and metropolitan areas achieve sustainability. What actions and what investments are required to reduce carbon emissions from urban land uses and to make existing buildings greener?

• Extensive and fully integrated transport networks are essential if the public is to be persuaded to choose more sustainable travel options.
• What innovative schemes can municipalities implement to encourage sustainable choices?
• Can zero-carbon communities ever become a reality?

Panel 3: Places for people - urban and metropolitan development: social imperatives

The role of city transport has traditionally been to connect the work to the home. But transport can also act as a powerful tool to respond to some of Europe’s social imperatives in its cities and metropolitan areas. With the EU enlargement and increased immigration, the goal of transport policy needs to include preserving and enhancing quality of life so that population growth is well managed and cities are able to attract and retain skilled workers.

• As unemployment rises during the recession, will transport become a source of new employment opportunities?
• How can transport networks help support local labour markets and tackle unemployment?
• What role can improved transport play in access to affordable housing?
• Can transport help with the settlement and integration of immigrants?

Panel 4: Asset rich - regional, urban and metropolitan transport infrastructure: financing opportunities and challenges

Transport has great potential as an asset that yields robust returns as well as delivering on public goals. Financial instruments are emerging to take advantage of the new opportunities across Europe. What are the financial challenges in delivering the world class regional, metropolitan and urban transport systems that Europe needs?

• Which case studies have proved successful and can stand as examples for others to adopt?
• Should ‘value capture’ techniques, such as TIF in the USA, be used more widely in Europe?
• What are the limitations of public financing and how can the gaps best be bridged?
• Do investors have access to investment opportunities at the right time and on the right scale?
• Is public debt financing a good option?
• Are PPPs now a proven model for funding transport infrastructure?
• Do new tax levies offer a way forwards?