The URBACT program was established by the European Commission in 2003. Its main idea of the program is to organize a network of European cities to increase the effectiveness of policies in alleviating economic, social and environmental problems in cities. The program places particular emphasis on spreading knowledge about integrated urban management and exchanging experience in this field.
Within the framework of this program, the Mazovian Regional Planning Office participated in the project CIVITAS.NET – The role of regions and metropolitan units in urban revaluation. The project was aimed at developing methods to effectively prevent the emergence of neglect and, where it occurred, methods for social activation and the creation of tools for improving regional and metropolitan policies in efforts to address declining urban areas by properly supporting local governments. The Working Group, led by the Generalitat de Catalunya, included the following regions: Mazovia (Poland), Glasgow and Clyde Valley (Scotland), Emilia Romagna (Italy) and the Hungarian government.
The work carried out within the framework of the Working Group allowed participants to familiarize themselves with the ways in which revitalization projects are being implemented in cities in other European regions. The analyses carried out identified the strengths and weaknesses of the revitalization projects presented, and in particular pointed out how regional authorities participate or should participate in the renewal of degraded urban areas. The experience gathered made it possible to develop appropriate conclusions so that regional participation in urban revitalization can become more efficient and effective.
The result of the joint work is the Final Report Civitas – A Regional Approach: The Added Value of Urban Revitalization, which describes examples of revitalization projects in member regions.
The program was implemented between October 2005 and May 2007.