MULTI-SECTORAL URBAN REGENERATION POLICY

In cities of the accession countries the introduction of market processes to the allocation and use of land and property, along with structural changes within labour markets are inducing tendencies familiar in the EU. Aparticular challenge is then to prevent spatial segregation and concentrations of exclusions. Meeting the challenge requires a comprehensive approach, which can combine preventive actions to reduce the incidence of distressed areas with remedial measures that integrate existing such areas into the social, economic and physical fabric of the city.

The area-based multi-sectoral policy is the core of Szczecin's urban regeneration programme. It confronts the concentration of social distress, environmental degradation, crime and economic decline in particular city areas. Action integrates such areas into wider social, economic and physical fabric of the city and the region. Research, monitoring and evaluation of issues of discrimination, social exclusion, poverty, and delinquency in urban areas, early warning systems, social protection and public services are all part of the scheme developed by the city. Also, a successful attempt was taken to form a strong partnership to define challenges, strategy, priorities, and resource allocation, and to implement, monitor and evaluate the strategy. Partnerships include economic and social partners, NGO's and residents groupings. The strategic plans for the areas in question were linked to the economic, social and physical network of the wider urban area, including between neighbourhood partnerships and agents responsible for the social and economic strategy of the wider conurbation.

As early as in 1994 the city started the Municipal Scheme for Social Pathology Prevention and Social Problems Solving. The programme using certain methodology is translating gathered information, diagnosis and solutions into concrete tasks. Three major stages have been realised. The inventory of institutions specialising in solving social problems, identifying their competencies has been prepared. About 5000 city units have been diagnosed on the basis of 4 thousand interviews. Environmental Coordination of Social Activities project is under way. Its task is to integrate activities within the environment, all the institutions and persons dealing with the prevention and solution of social problems. The CLRAE's conference in Szczecin (October 2000) on crime prevention had reinforced the process in the city.

The city promotes equal opportunities and social and economic integration and improved living and working conditions for people belonging to low-income, discriminated and other socially excluded groups, as well as supports the regeneration of its urban areas in difficulties. The basic objectives are to strengthen local capacities to respond to the specific needs and potential of neighbourhoods in an integrated way; extend pathways to employability and integration, in particular for the hard core of the long-term unemployed, young drop-outs, lone parent families and others who are economically or socially excluded; provide accessible and reasonably priced basic services, especially in relation to employment, education and training, health, energy, transport and communications, policing and justice; prevent urban crime including juvenile delinquency and increase security.