The need to develop an Urban Agenda for the EU arose from the fact that already today more than 70% of Europe’s population lives in urban areas, with a tendency for this to reach 80% by the year 2050. Urban areas, that is, cities along with their surrounding suburban spaces, as drivers of economic growth and development, sources of employment for the population, and hotspots of competitiveness, are also areas exposed to very complex challenges such as increased energy consumption, pollution, social segregation, unemployment, and poverty.

Regardless of their size, population, location, spatial significance, or other specific characteristics, conducted analyses and research indicate that most cities are affected by the same problems, although in different degrees and forms of manifestation.

By assessing the development trends of cities and the resulting challenges, ministers responsible for urban matters from EU member states and associated countries, at an informal meeting held on 30 May 2016, formalized the beginning of the development of the Urban Agenda for the EU, thereby expressing clear political support for further activities aimed at addressing key urban issues related to the continued balanced development of the European space. The agreement reached on this occasion is known as the Amsterdam Pact.

The development and implementation of the European Urban Agenda will depend to a great extent on the active involvement of key urban area stakeholders, focused on analyzing opportunities to improve the legislative framework, increasing the availability of financial resources from EU funds, and creating joint knowledge bases with an emphasis on the need to exchange information and experiences.

For the preparation of each priority theme, the formation of working groups—partnerships—is foreseen, whose role and tasks are more specifically described in the Work Program for the Development of the Urban Agenda for the EU, which is also an annex to the Amsterdam Pact.

Finding responses to the recognized challenges of urban areas, and especially the subsequent implementation of the recommendations and guidelines resulting from the development of the Urban Agenda for the EU, will depend on active engagement and cooperation at all levels of governance—particularly those stakeholders who influence the creation and implementation of urban policies and the monitoring of developmental changes.

Although the Amsterdam Pact has identified the key stakeholders at all levels and their roles, national and local policymakers are tasked with developing urban policies in an integrated and comprehensive manner, encouraging continuous cooperation among European-level organizations, central government bodies, regional/territorial and local self-governments, the education system and the scientific community, non-governmental organizations, social partners, civil society organizations, and representatives of the private sector.

Ultimately, the goal of urban policies in European cities is not only sustainable development in terms of spatial, environmental, and natural values, but also placing at the heart of the process the well-being, dignity, humanity, and quality of life of citizens.

The Croatian Institute for Spatial Development, participating as the representative of the Republic of Croatia in the work of the EU Working Group on Urban Development, also serves as professional support to the Minister of Construction and Physical Planning who, operating within their competence in the areas of spatial planning, construction, housing, and municipal economy, has a significant influence on the implementation of urban policies.

Through continuous cooperation with other ministries, efforts are made to contribute to finding responses to the negative consequences of development by encouraging cross-sectoral cooperation and opening discussions.