International conference on the theme "Deltas in Times of Climate Change" taking place on 29 September to 2 October 2010 Rotterdam, The Netherlands

The conference pursues three main goals:
1 exchange of up-to-date top science on climate change and delta planning.
2 strengthening international cooperation between deltas and delta cities.
3 exploring and strengthening the links between science, policy and practitioners.

Please read the conference flyer for further information.

A debate is now beginning, through the European Commission and other institutions, on the meaning of Territorial Cohesion, now that this has been included and approved as an EU objective in the Lisbon Treaty. Members will recall that METREX anticipated, and made a contribution to, this debate in 2007 with the PolyMETREXplus project, led by the Generalitat de Catalunya (through IET), and the publication of the "Framework - Polycentricity and better European territorial balance".

The main ideas from the Framework are now very relevant to the current debate, especially the Vision, Framework and Action Plan. It is for this reason that METREX has published the attached summary "This is not a plan - the ETVF".

Colleagues from the Verband Region Rhein-Neckar have arranged a meeting of the Network of German Metropolitan Regions, on 27 January in Brussels, to discuss "The EU Cohesion Policy post 2013 from the Perspective of Metropolitan Regions". The meeting will be hosted by the state of Baden-Wurttenberg, an Invitation to attend or to be represented can be found below. Please note the deadline for replies to the Invitation by 20 January to Silke Bohringer in the Verband Region Rhein-Neckar

A major 2-day international conference taking place on the 8 and 9 February 2010 Chatham House, London.

Can cities lead in meeting new challenges?

In the face of rapid urbanization worldwide, cities are being forced to address some of the most dramatic challenges of the 21st Century, including energy and water supply, demographics, and climate change.

• Can cities take the lead in tackling these challenges
• What policy tools do they need?
• What new infrastructure and services will be essential? Can they be made sustainable? How can they be paid for?

Register now at this high-level event to hear directly from governments, city leaders, experts, and business, what solutions for 21st Century cities might be.

METREX members can book at a discount - please use the pdf registration form to claim your discount.

More details can be found on the Chatham House website

METREX Calendar for 2009-2010 summarises the main activities of the Network for the coming two years.

EUSEW 2009 on the theme "Clean-Tech Clusters, Climate Oriented Spatial Planning, Clean Urban Technologies." is being attended by three METREX metropolitan regions - Stuttgart Region, Stockholm Region and the Metropolitan Region of Hamburg to present their newest actions during a workshop at the EU Sustainable Energy Week 2009 in Brussels.

Study Visit to South America in 2009. Supported by the Planning Minister of Chile and hosted in the city of Santiago. Aims to exchange experience in spatial planning and development between European and Latin American metropolitan regions, through case studies and specific experiences in those territories, in order to create an agenda of collaboration to addressing future challenges.

ESPON is the European network of research institutions in spatial planning and development. ESPON concluded at 10-year programme of research in 2006 and held a Seminar with practitioners and users in Bonn in June. METREX was invited to attend and presented 6 issues for possible inclusion in the future 2007-2013 ESPON research programme. These have now been formally presented to ESPON in a Discussion Note.

Both agreed, that the Regions have an urgent interest in promoting the renewed Lisbon Agenda.

The future of structural funds was the issue of a consultation of METREX and representatives of Directorate General Regional Policy of the European Commission.