Do we need a new EU Agenda for Cities? AEIDL Policy Brief

This AEIDL policy brief, authored by our Senior Expert on Rural and Territorial Development, Serafín Pazos-Vidal, explores the key challenges and opportunities the forthcoming European Commission plan to support cities could address.

It outlines a set of 15 strategic policy options to enhance the EU Agenda for Cities, with a strong focus on inclusivity, sustainability, and urban–rural synergies. Key highlights include:

• A new vision for cities proposed by Vice-President Raffaele Fitto.
• The need for functional area approaches in EU-funded interventions.
• A call for a coordinated approach to urban policy, rather than expanded EU competences.
• Strengthening Urban Partnerships as a tool for better regulation and territorial impact assessments.
• Mainstreaming SDG11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) as a performance management tool.

The brief contributes to shaping a more ambitious, coherent and effective EU urban policy framework aligned with the goals of the European Green Deal.