URBACT is an open community made up of city practitioners and policy makers who are passionate about their work. They are working hands-on in the field, facing a variety of challenges and situations, bringing progress to urban policies on a daily basis. Here are a few portraits to give you insight into some of those involved in the programme.
Johannes Hahn : " We need a tailor made policy which brings tangible results for citizens"
(European Commission - European Commissioner for Regional Policy)
Alison Partridge: "My top goal is to help cities"
(Consulting agency, Aurora Ltd - Lead Expert, ESIMEC)
Dirk AHNER: "The European dream is one where solidarity replaces every-man-for-himself"
(Director-General, European Commission Regional Policy Directorate-General Directeur)
Bruno BOURG BROC: "Intermunicipal cooperation is a key asset to medium-sized cities"
(Mayor of Châlons-en-Champagne, France - partner, CityRegion.Net)
Stoyan GEORGIEV: "Local Action Plans have to be realistic"
(Bulgarian Ministry of Regional Development - partner in RegGov project)
Mirela Petrar: A Green Energy Activist
(Responsible for urban planning, Avrig, Romania, Lead Partner, URBENERGY).
Kim GRIFFITHS: "Our main goal is to give people back their self-esteem"
(Director of employment programmes, Liverpool, Great Britain - partner, Co-Net).
Mari-Anne HARSTAD: "Converting a military legacy into an instrument for peace"
(Justice of the peace in Medway, Great Britain - Lead Partner, REPAIR)
Suzi KVAS: "Make room for women"
(Head of a municipal social organisation in Celje, Slovenia - Lead Partner, WEED)
Frederico DE MATTEIS: "Architecture should help people live better while interacting with other people"
(Architect, researcher-professor at the CITERA research institute in Rome, Italy - Lead Partner, HOPUS).
Joseph POSTRANECKY: "Diversity in potential modes of development is one of our planet’s great treasures"
(2009 Chairman, URBACT Monitoring Committee)
Xose Antonio SANCHEZ BUGALLO: "Relentless innovation is vital"
(Mayor of Saint- Jacques de Compostelle, Spain - Lead Partner, SUITE)