Agenda of Special City Planning Committee Meeting

Item No. 2.1

Agenda (Open Portion)

Special City Planning Committee Meeting

Page 6

20/2/2017

REPORT TITLE: European Union World Cities Project

REPORT PROVIDED BY: Environmental & Climate Change Projects Officer

Director City Planning

1. Report Purpose and Community Benefit

1.1. The purpose of this report is to inform the Council of an invitation to participate in the European Union’s World Cities project and seek its response.

2. Report Summary

1.1. The City of Hobart has been invited to indicate its interest in participating in the World Cities project. The European Union’s (EU) urban sustainability project is to be piloted in Australia and will commence in May 2017. Responses are sought by the 27 February 2017, and are to consist of:

1.1.1. A letter indicating intent; and

1.1.2. The completion of a questionnaire of the City’s capacities, areas of interest and resourcing/collaboration opportunities.

1.2. A copy of the invitation forms Attachment A of this report and the draft completed survey forms Attachment B of this report.

1.3. The World Cities project is an initiative of the EU that enables exchange between selected EU and the 4-to-7 Australian cities of best practice and experience on regional and urban sustainable development and covers the themes of: urban economy, mobility, green development and includes climate change adaptation and mitigation action.

1.4. Through the project, with the support of the EU project team, pilot cities/regions are identified and concrete actions developed for implementation in the short term including urban innovation (smart city) and green technologies (energy efficiencies, low carbon development).

1.5. Actions will be designed to increase cooperation between governments, research and business with the aim of strengthening market opportunities and job creation while pursuing sustainable development outcomes.

1.6. The program is managed by the EU’s Directorate General for the Regional and Urban policy (DG REGIO) and originates in a Preparatory Action of the European Parliament to promote the exchange of experience and best practice between the European Union and non-EU countries on the theme of territorial development with particular reference to urban development, urban-rural partnership and urban cross-border cooperation.

1.7. The EU will cover travel and participation costs for delegation of up to 5 people consisting of representatives from the selected City, private organisations and research institutions to attend 3 meetings: one in Australia (5 days) one in Brussels including EU Week of Cities and Regions (5 days) and a final meeting in paired city (3 days).

2.1. Parallel World Cities Project 2017 – 2018 are also being delivered in South Korea, South Africa, Indonesia and Vietnam. In 2015-2016 the project was delivered to China, India, Japan and Canada.

3. Recommendation

That:

1. The City of Hobart formally advise the World Cities Team of the Council’s interest in participating in the World Cities 2017 Australian initiative.

2. The draft response to the World Cities questionnaire marked Attachment B to this report, be endorsed for submission to the European Union to participate in the World Cities initiative.

4. Background

4.1. The City’s Environment and Climate Change Officer was approached in November 2017 to meet with the EU Environment and Climate Change Counsel during their Australia-wide fact finding study on climate change actions and urban sustainability initiatives.

4.2. The Officer arranged two meetings with the Counsel: one for Aldermen and senior management and the second for the Southern Tasmanian Councils Authority’s Regional Climate Change Initiative which is coordinated by the City. Subsequent to this an invitation was extended to the City to indicate interest in participating in the World Cities Project.

4.3. In parallel to this the City was also participating in the UniverCities Conference and study tour alongside the University of Tasmania to look at best practice in terms of integrating University functions within the Hobart CBD to strengthen market opportunities and job creation.

4.4. It is considered that there is considerable overlap and synergies between the two projects to the extent that the report on the UniverCities project, referred to the World Cities project (called the Twin Cities Urban Sustainability project) and resolved inter alia that:

4.4.1. On receipt of the details of the European Union’s Twin Cities Urban Sustainability project that a further report be prepared for the Council that considers the cost benefit of the project and identifies partner cities, including Freiburg, with whom the Council may partner.

4.5. World Cities 2017 project

4.6. The World Cities project is undertaken within the EU-Australia Partnership Framework in coordination with the Delegation of the European Union to Australia.

4.7. The Project seeks to match 4 – 7 Australian Cities with EU Cities to look at best practice across the themes of Urban Economy (start ups, policies and innovation), mobility (smart city etc) and green development (including issues of circular economy), and may include cooperation on issues relevant to mitigate and adapt to climate change including energy efficiency and renewables. It aims to match cities and share learning and knowledge and cities need to have political ownership and capacity to deliver facilitated projects

4.8. The Project encourages collaboration with the private sector and research institutions, which will form part of the City’s delegation to the project.

4.9. The project includes three meetings:

4.9.1. One ‘kick-off’ meeting and working visit in Australia (5 days - May 2017)

4.9.2. One follow up meeting in Europe during the European week of Cities and Regions (5 days – October 2017)

4.9.3. One final meeting in paired city (3 days – early 2018)

4.10. The EU will cover travel and meetings costs for a delegation of up to 5 people to attend the meeting.

4.11. The EU project team will support and assist participating cities to identify and develop concrete actions for implementation in the short term including urban innovation (smart city) and green technologies (energy efficiencies, low carbon development.

4.12. The World Cities Questionnaire seeks to establish the capacity, existing linkages, probable themes and resources of participants to the project. It includes responses about parts of the EU the City would prefer to work with, areas of focus and resources that could be brought to the project. These require some clarification from the EU and direction from the Council. To this end it is proposed that a draft response to questionnaire is circulated under a separate cover prior to the Committee meeting for endorsement by the Council.

5. Proposal and Implementation

5.1. It is proposed that the:

5.1.1. The City of Hobart formally indicate its interest in participating in the project; and

5.1.2. The draft response to the World Cities Questionnaire is considered with particular regard to the parts of the EU the City would prefer to work with, areas of focus and resources that could be brought to the project.

6. Strategic Planning and Policy Considerations

6.1. The Project is consistent with a number of Strategic Plan’s objectives including:

6.1.1. 1.1 Effectively engage with the business community.

6.1.2. 1.2 Enhance partnerships with State Government key investors and economic players in research, education, arts, culture and tourism.

6.1.3. 1.3 Support and facilitate the University of Tasmania’s progressive campus growth into the City.

6.1.4. 1.4 Improve Hobart’s international relations and international recognition.

6.1.5. 2.9 Develop and manage the City’s urban spaces and infrastructure.

6.1.6. 3.1 Show leadership in addressing and responding to climate change impacts.

7. Financial Implications

7.1. Funding Source and Impact on Current Year Operating Result

7.1.1. The EU will meet the full financial costs of the projects meeting and travel requirements.

7.1.2. The City of Hobart would cover the costs of incidental expenditure associated with the meetings, and officer time to participate in the project.

7.2. Impact on Future Years’ Financial Result

7.2.1. Any programs and initiatives stemming from this project with financial implications for future years budgets would be the subject of a further report, if and when they become known.

7.3. Asset Related Implications

7.3.1. Any programs and initiatives stemming from this project with impact on assets would be the subject of a further report if and when they become known.

8. Legal, Risk and Legislative Considerations

8.1. None arise from this report.

9. Social and Customer Considerations

9.1. World Cities ultimate goal is to strengthen market opportunities and job creation while pursuing the sustainable economic development of the cities involved, thus fostering win-win cooperation for the local and broader community.

10. Marketing and Media

10.1. The project will present a range of marketing and media opportunities for the City of Hobart to promote urban sustainability and resilience and if successful a communication strategy will be prepared for the project to optimise engagement and outcomes.

11. Delegation

11.1. The matter is delegated to the Council.

As signatory to this report, I certify that, pursuant to Section 55(1) of the Local Government Act 1993, I hold no interest, as referred to in Section 49 of the Local Government Act 1993, in matters contained in this report.

Katrina Graham Signature

Katrina Graham

Environmental & Climate Change Projects Officer

Neil Noye Signature

Neil Noye

Director City Planning

Date: 17 February 2017

File Reference: F17/11124; 17-50-23

Attachment a: Invitation World Cities 2017_0115 Australian ⇩

Attachment b: Invitation World Cities - Hobart ⇩

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