Final announcement - REVIT

Patronage & Foreword
Dr. Wolfgang Schuster
Mayor of Stuttgart
Prof. Dr. Danuta Hübner
EU Commissioner for
Regional Policy
a warm welcome to the 2 nd international
conFerence on managing urban land
Welcome to the city of Stuttgart, Capital of the state of Baden-Württemberg. The issues that will
be addressed at the 2nd International Conference on Managing Urban Land are of great importance
to all local and regional authorities both in Europe and in the rest of the world. How can we succeed
in promoting employment and growth without consuming additional resources? How can we use
urban brownfields in order to revitalizes and modernizes our cities? I am delighted that Stuttgart
has the privilege to serve as venue for this major conference.
We see ourselves as an international city and are therefore very much interested in an exchange
on the European and international levels. In Stuttgart people from over 170 nations live together
in peaceful coexistence. Over 100 languages are spoken here. Over the years, we have built up
numerous networks on subjects ranging from mobility, to social integration policies, development
aid, child friendliness or the challenges posed by demographic change. It is our firm belief that the
best solutions arise from an exchange of best-practice examples. Over and above this, transnational
co-operation has the advantage that it fosters closer links between and mutual understanding for
one another thus helping promote peace through-out the world.
I want to invite all delegates, conference schedule permitting, to take time out to discover our city.
Stuttgart is the “European Capital of Sport 2007” and the host city for four world championships as well
as venue for the World Athletics Final. In the autumn, just a stone’s throw away from Stuttgart International
Airport, Stuttgart‘s New Trade Fair Center will open its doors to the public. It is designed as a showcase
for the export-oriented companies of Baden-Württemberg. Explore our city, its theatres and museums, its
parks and recreational opportunities!
I wish you a rewarding stay in Stuttgart!
Best wishes
Dr. Wolfgang Schuster, Mayor of Stuttgart
The aim of the REVIT project – development of new concepts for sustainable regeneration of
brownfield sites – represents one of the major challenges for European cohesion policy: creating
the conditions for sustainable jobs and growth as well as preserving the environment.
In many European cities, there are brownfield areas which need to be revitalised in order to attract
new jobs and investment and to improve the quality of life. I am therefore very pleased about this
important initiative launched by six European partners (Hengelo, Medway, Nantes, Stuttgart, Tilburg,
Torfaen). By sharing experience and by developing new innovative approaches on brownfield
regeneration they can enhance urban development throughout Europe.
I am delighted that the INTERREG „North West Europe“ programme has contributed to the success of
the REVIT project. This form of co-operation is part of what Europe does best. Bringing people together
to share ideas and to work together to make them happen. REVIT concludes as we embark on a new
programming period 2007-2013 for European cohesion policy. In this period we will further strengthen
networking and mutual learning between regions and cities. In fact, the European Commission has
recently launched a new initiative called „Regions for Economic Change“ to boost the dissemination of
best practice in economic modernisation and innovation across the Union. I would be delighted if the
lessons learned from the REVIT network could find their place in this new initiative.
Danuta Hübner
Member of the European Commission responsible for Regional Policy