In 2008 the deepest recession for generations hit the European Union. With its beginnings in the financial sector, the recession eventually affected all elements of society. Cities have borne the worst of the impacts, for example, suffering high levels of unemployment, or lower business survival rates. Yet it is cities that are at the heart of the recovery. It is the cities that are providing vital services and assistance such as business support or housing advice. As we move to economic recovery it is cities again that are key to the EU’s future, providing, for example, guidance, funding, infrastructure to support an array of actions that will underpin prosperity.
EUROCITIES Survey on Recession and Recovery in Cities
In 2009 EUROCITIES carried out a survey on the impacts of the recession on cities, as well as the way in which recovery was being achieved. This highlighted a number of important issues, including widespread increases in unemployment, city administration budget cuts, and proactivity on the part of cities aiming for recovery.
EUROCITIES Survey on Recession and Recovery in Cities
City Responses to the Recession – A Snapshot
In late 2009 it was clear that cities across Europe were at the forefront of respondint to the recession, driving recovery as they did so. EUROCITIES produced a compilation of just some of the interesting, varied and dynamic actions taken by cities in response to challenging economic circumstances. These responses include new ways of getting information to residents, assistance to job seekers, new ways of managing procurement and new political strategies.
