“The urban dimension of Cohesion Policy: insights into its genealogy, evolution, and future potential”

The urban dimension of the European Union Cohesion Policy was formalised in the late 1980s. Initially, it was based on pilot instruments with limited scope and economic resources. Nowadays it is a consolidated policy field, progressively gaining relevance with binding objectives and increased allocated budget. This chapter analyses the path Cohesion Policy has developed to achieve its current status. The analysis shows that Cohesion Policy has made a significant contribution to sustainable development in the European Union building on the principles of the ‘Urban Acquis’ while, at the same time, it has faced obstacles limiting the results achieved. Today, the Cohesion Policy’s urban dimension presents a high transformative capacity as cities emerge as crucial actors in achieving the ambitious objectives of the European Green Deal. In the face of the European Union’s challenges (global and local), the urban dimension of the Cohesion Policy can play a crucial role in advancing towards regenerative development and equitable resilience in European cities.

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