Page 169 - Proceeding 2015

POPESCU Ruxandra-Irina, CORBO? Răzvan-Andrei and MINA-RAIU Laura FAMP
STUDY ON THE CONTRIBUTION OF EUROPEAN FUNDS FINANCED PROJECTS TO URBAN CCASP
DEVELOPMENT

the problems with which they have been confronted - by a series of projects that have been financed by
structural and cohesion funds. In order to analyze the contribution of EU funds to sustainable urban
development in this subchapter, I’ve presented two successful projects that have contributed to the
PROCEEDINGS OF THE 11 TH ADMINISTRATION AND PUBLIC MANAGEMENT INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
achievement of the objectives of the Europe 2020. The choice of these projects was based on two
essential aspects: (1) the level of complexity, the effectiveness of planning and implementation; and (2) -

tangible and measurable results of implementing these projects - for the restoration of urban areas.

2.1. Malaga (Spain): Restoring the city center

Context. Before 1995, the Malaga historic center was in decline due to the fact that the buildings were in
a poor condition, some were even ruins, and also due to the fact that the resident population was getting

older, while the number of young people was getting smaller and the rate of unemployment was
increasing. All these aspects were severely affecting the image of the city.

The restoration process of Malaga historic center has begun in 1995 with the first URBAN Community
30 th – 31 st October 2015 ”Strategic Management for Local Communities” Bucharest The restoration process included: (1) measures of regeneration, restoration of streets, green spaces,
Initiative, a process that has also continued in the next stages of the program 2000-2006 and 2007-2013.

buildings, factories and commercial areas, and (2) participation and involvement of residents of the area.
Also, this process has eased, from a social point of view, the integration of disadvantaged and

marginalized groups, who were living in buildings that had an advanced state of degradation (Urban
Initiative, 2015).

Main objectives: (1) strengthening the cohesion, (2) social integration of disadvantaged / minority living

in the area, and (3) increasing the attractiveness of the historic center.

Budget: 14,400,000 EUR (the city’s contribution: 4,304,757 EUR) (European Association for Information
on Local Development, 2013a). In figure 1 are presented the main areas in which European funds have

been invested, in the 3 time frames (1994-1999: URBAN I; 2000-2006: URBAN II; 2007-2013: Urban
Initiative - POCTEFEX ).
4
5

4 Iniciativa Urbana Malaga “Arrabales-Carreterias” had as a main objective to improve public spaces, strengthen the
identity and its multiple domains. This project has continued the investments from the periods 1994-1999 and 2000-
2006 in the historic center, with the note that in the period 2007-2014 different neighborhoods and areas have been
targeted.
5 POCTEFEX - Programa de Cooperación Transfronteriza Espana Fronteras Exteriores.

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