Sectoral Integration Sustainable Transport Policies in South Eastern Europe Countries

Introduction Welcome the webpage of the project on Sustainable Transport Policies in South Eastern Europe Countries. This project is implemented by the REC with the kind support of the Dutch Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and Environment. Countries of South Eastern Europe (SEE) still face a number of problems related to transport sector. All of these countries will have to take into consideration the European Union drive towards achieving coherence in sectoral policy, which will mean that environmental concerns should be taken into consideration during policy making and implementation in all sectors. During a REC-organised meeting of senior officials on promotion of urban transport and environment policy integration in SEE in Zagreb, Croatia in 2004, several environmental issues related to transport were highlighted by the participants. Their conclusions can be found here. Since 2004, the countries have progressed with reforms under the Stabilisation and Association Process. In some cities the urban public transport situation has improved. Nevertheless, it appears that further assistance for urban transport in South Eastern Europe is still needed, especially in the context of these countries’ European Union (EU) accession. Project Objectives The overall objective of this project is to assist SEE countries to better understand sustainable transport policies and strategies in the EU, including environmental issues, and to assist them in urban transport planning and the following of good practices. The outcome of this project is expected to serve as a basis for identifying follow-up activities regarding urban public transport in the SEE region. Project Activities Identifying problems and needs related to urban public transport in the SEE region Organising a regional meeting for stakeholders from SEE in order to identify their specific needs and problems related to transport Identification and preparation of case studies of good practices from EU countries. Preparation of a publication entitled Sustainable Transport Policies in South Eastern Europe – Needs, Priorities and Lessons Learnt from EU Countries Organisation of a workshop and study visit in one of EU Member States Meetings: Regional Meeting of Transport Stakeholders on Sustainable Public Transport Policies in South Eastern Europe (SEE) June 21-22. 2007, European Youth Centre, Budapest, Hungary Workshop and study visit: Further Support to Sustainable Transport Policies in South Eastern Europe May 6-10, 2008, Gdansk-Gdynia, Poland Beneficiaries Beneficiaries of this project are cities and transport authorities, transport operators and other transport practitioners and stakeholders in the SEE region. Project outcomes The results will be summarised in the book Sustainable Transport Policies in South Eastern Europe – Needs, Priorities and Lessons Learnt from EU Countries. The book will be soon available on the website. We would like to thank the Dutch Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and Environment for supporting this project. Contact Information Wioletta Szymanska Project Manager Regional Environmental Center, Romania 4 Episcop Timus Street, 011612 Bucharest 1, Romania Tel: (40-21) 316-7344, (40-21) 316-7345 Mobile: (40-73) 240-3441 E-mail: wszymanska@rec.org www.recromania.ro www.rec.org

Sectoral Integration Home Environmental Policy Home Downloads: Workshop and study visit: Further Support to Sustainable Transport Policies in South Eastern Europe, May 6-10, 2008, Gdansk-Gdynia, Poland Background paper for the Regional Meeting on Sustainable Transport Policies in South Eastern Europe, June 21-22, 2007, Budapest (PDF - 200 KB) Regional Meeting on Sustainable Transport Policies in South Eastern Europe, June 21-22, 2007, Budapest – agenda, presentations, meeting materials Good practice case studies Publication: Sustainable Transport Policies in South Eastern Europe – Needs, Priorities and Lessons Learnt from EU Countries