The «urban question» in cohesion policies: strategic approaches and management autonomy

This paper focuses on the role and importance of the urban dimension inEU cohesion policy, even from a historical point of view. The analysis startsfrom the first Community initiatives (pilot projects, Urban, etc.) and lasts untilthe beginning of the planning documents of the new round of StructuralFunds 2014-2020. An important step of this process has been the inclusion ofthe urban question in the «mainstreaming» of regional operational programmes(so-called ROP ERDF). In Italy, the Axis Cities of the Community SupportFramework 2000-2006 was a turning point: the integrated territorial and/or urbanprojects have been the main instrument for the implementation of an interventionto be validated by an economic and social partnership and providedwith substantial financial resources. Even in the subsequent period (NationalStrategic Framework 2007-2013), urban priority got its programmatic visibilityand adequate financial resources. In this case (ROP Campania ERDF), theRegion has delegated the management directly to beneficiary cities while theproject Park to be financed had necessarily to be framed within the frameworkof a Strategic Document stating both development objectives and expected results.This experience, however, has benefited from the measure launched byCIPE in 2004 to allow even in the cities of the South of Italy to adopt strategicplans consistent with the provisions of EU regulations. A central chapter ofthis paper deals with the effectiveness of these policies. The author emphasizesthat the results to date are to be considered unfortunately «well below expectations» and, briefly, shows the reasons that, in his personal opinion, negativelyaffected especially the implementation processes (from the difficulty of absorptionof the resources available). In the final part the reflection moves on theclaims the European Commission addresses, for the future, to Member Statesrelating to urban development: a list of cities where to invest, a financial reserve,the additionality and concentration of investments, an integration of interventions,full managerial independence of the city authorities. The negotiationsbetween State, Regions and Local Authorities should generate, finally, thecreation of a National Operational Programme (NOP) dedicated to metropolitancities.