24 avril 2008

The action of the Intergroup in housing : the need for an integrated approach

Of course, the EU does not have competences in housing policy. Of course, the issue of housing is renewed only once in the Charter of Fundamental Rights which states that "in order to combat social exclusion and poverty, the EU recognizes the right to social support and housing assistance. "

However, the Union must be the engine of the exchange of good practices in housing and the Intergroup is involved in this dynamic.

For example, members of the Intergroup have been involved in many projects. These include the proposition of the European Charter housing and the call of the 6 december , by Alain Hutchinson, both advocating accessible and decent housing.

The integrated approach is at the heart of discussions by the Intergroup Urban Logement. The environmental quality of buildings, passive buildings, renovation and rehabilitation of neighborhoods compete to energy efficiency in homes, as well as social inclusion. Thus, Jan Olbrycht and Jean Marie Beaupuy have participated to the conference organized by the CAE on April 10, recalling the importance of thinking all aspects of the city and housing in coherence.

15 février 2008

The focus of the month : the tram-train of Karlsruhe

In 1992, 28 kilometers of lines are inaugurated : the tram-train of Karlsruhe was born The tram-train is a genuine tool of interconnection of the territories forming the same “bassin de vie”. Indeed, it is a means of transport which makes it possible to use the ways of the trams downtown, and the traditional infrastructures of rail-bound transports beyond the historical heart of the city. Gisela Kallenbach said :

“This is an excellent example - since 15 years in place !! - for convenient and well received public transport. In contrary to often copied models of easy individual mobility, this project was unfortunately far too less adopted by other cities.”

Even if it is a model which will be difficult to export, the town of Mulhouse in France emitted the wish to implement such a way of transport.

Intergroup’s members news

At the initiave of Alain Hutchinson  and in collaboration with our partners the FEANTSA, and the Cecodhas ,the PSE organized a public hearing on the theme of housing crisis in the EU : how to face exclusion and homelessness. In this occasion, Alain Hutchinson launched the call of the 6 December for an affordable and decent housing. To illustrate this problem, the conference was followed by a photography exposure on the « place du Luxembourg ».The European Parliament has adopted Gisela Kallenbach´s report on the follow-up of the Territorial Agenda and the Leipzig Charter, Thursday February 21st (INI/2007/2190). Jean Marie Beaupuy is the signatory of a written declaration to tackle homelessness.

15 février 2008

The contribution to the Green Paper and the meeting with Jacques Barrot.

The action of the Intergroup as regards urban transports

This example is emblematic of a profitable collaboration between the Intergroup Urban Logement, its partners and the European institutions.

When in january 2007 the Commission launched the public consultation on the urban transports, the Intergroup, with its partners, mobilized themselves to put forward their positions on the matter. Acme of this will, in july 2007, the Intergroup received the Commissaire in charge of transports Jacques Barrot at the European Parliament for a debate with the members of the Intergroup on the preparation of the Green Paper.

In september, the Commission published her green book named « towards a new culture of urban mobility". A part of the text is devoted to the integrated approach in the urban mobility, but which satisfies only partially the Intergroup.

For the publication of the Action plan on the urban transports in autumn, Jean Marie Beaupuy, Alfonso Andria, Gisela Kallenbach and Jan Olbrycht, took part to the public audition organized by the ADLE on competence as regards transport. It is also expected that the Intergroup and its partners meet to work out a position in March 2008.

The Parliament will also give an opinion on the Green Paper, opinion for which Jan Olbrycht is the rapporteur for REGI committee.