Cohesion policy

Following discussions on the urban agenda, the parliamentary Committee on Regional Development voted on 17 June 2015 the draft report on the urban dimension of EU policies.

We welcome MEPs' decision to adopt an amendment submitted by CEMR requesting more transparency during the elaboration process of standards on urban sustainable development that the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) develops.  Furthermore, the amendment calls for stronger cooperation with the cities and regions throughout the process as they are the first affected by the political dimension resulting from such standards.

As highlighted by the rapporteur, MEP Kerstin Westphal, these "new ISO standards should be considered as a support instruments rather than normative tools."

The report will be voted at the plenary session of the European Parliament in September.