2002: URBACT Programme created
The European Union is committed to promoting balanced, dynamic urban development on the ground. It created URBACT, a programme focussing on cities and designed to promote the exchange of good practices. URBACT enables cities to work together to find and share innovative, sustainable and integrated solutions to major urban challenges.
URBACT follows in the footsteps of the European URBAN programme, which focused on an integrated and participative approach to urban renewal in deprived neighbourhoods.
2003: The first URBACT I projects
From 2003 to 2006, 28 URBACT I projects worked together, focussing on six key topics:
- Citizen participation
- Economic development and employment
- Immigrant populations
- Integrated urban renewal
- Urban security
- Young people
URBACT I had 274 partners (cities, states, regional authorities, universities, private organizations, charities) from 29 countries.
2006: URBACT I outputs published
URBACT I outputs, including case studies, recommendations, tool boxes, and more, are made available to everyone who is involved in city policy throughout Europe.
Find out more : read URBACT I publications
2007: URBACT II launched
On 2 October 2007, the European Commission adopts URBACT II, which will end in 2013.
URBACT II projects each have 6 to 12 partners who work together for 2 to 3 years to develop effective and sustainable responses to major urban challenges.