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Project to promote cooperation between European and Asian cities

by Ranil Wijayapala A project to promote cooperation between European and Asian cities was launched yesterday in Colombo, linking Colombo with Paris and Madrid.

Colombo Mayor Omar Kamil launched this project by inaugurating a seminar on the Local Area Sustainable Development Observatory which is to be implemented as part of the Asia Urbs program co-financed by the European Commission.

The project aims to develop and extend good governance models in urban planning and housing policies in Colombo, Paris and Madrid.

To achieve this aim Paris and Madrid are working together with the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) to develop a pilot project using a Geographic Information System.

Colombo Mayor Omar Kamil in his inaugural address said the project is one of the first major projects between the European Union and Sri Lanka since the formation of the EU.

"Spain, France and Sri Lanka have enjoyed a long-standing cordial and friendly relationship which stands to be strengthened and consolidated with this project.

Colombo has been the centre of commercial and financial activity in the country. "We are certain that our City will continue to be the focal point of all main activities of the country for decades to come".

However, different economic, social and political circumstances that prevailed in the country for the last 50 years have not ensured a controlled and orderly process of urbanisation in the City.

The CMC during the last six or seven years implemented far reaching changes in its administration of the city. The city road network has been improved extensively.

Fundamental changes have been brought into waste collection and disposal with the participation of the private sector and civic society, he said.

"We have taken serious note of and also acted in accordance with the declaration of the Rio Summit of 1992, on sustainable development, where the local authorities are identified and required to make a more important contribution towards the environmental and human side of development."

Illka Uusitalo, Head of the European Union Delegation in Sri Lanka, Marie France Pagnier, French Ambassador for Sri Lanka and Maldives, Phillippe Billot, General Co-ordinator, APUR/City of Paris and Emilio MartinezVidal, Project Manager, City of Madrid also addressed the seminar. 

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