Joint organisers: ESPON and the Czech Ministry of Regional Development

Centred on the topic of Functional Urban Areas (FUAs), this Policy Lab explored interpretations of “functionality” in metropolitan and cross-border areas, as well as applicable methodologies for defining functionality’s parameters and perimeters.

Reflecting the diversity of challenges and potential solutions FUAs present, experts illustrated case studies from various EU countries, covering both metropolitan governance and cross-border cooperation projects. In light of recharacterising the New Leipzig Charter, set to be coordinated by the 2020 German Council Presidency, the discussion highlighted the need for cooperation with both the EUKN and ESPON in order to share experiences, and co-define both challenges and conditions for cooperation.

More articles

Image of Warsaw
Urban Voices

Laura Polverari on… the Key Role of EU Cohesion Policy in Urban Policymaki...

Laura Polverari on… the ...

Laura Polverari on… the Key Role of EU Cohesion Policy in Urban Policymaking

Laura Polverari discusses her research on EU Cohesion Policy, how the current framework works at various levels of government, and new challenges presented by changes to the EU's fiscal rules.

Urban Voices

Wiktoria Saganowska on… Chairing the EUKN and the 2025 Polish EU Council P...

Wiktoria Saganowska on… ...

Wiktoria Saganowska on… Chairing the EUKN and the 2025 Polish EU Council Presidency

Wiktoria Saganowska provides insight into her role as EUKN chair and presents an outlook on the upcoming Polish Presidency regarding policy debates on urban matters.

Urban Voices

Layla McCay on… urban design and mental health...

Layla McCay on… urban de...

Layla McCay on… urban design and mental health

We interviewed Layla McCay on urban design and mental health at the start of the pandemic. In an era when cities are coming under fire, the centre’s vision of ‘restorative urbanism’ is rather timely.