Activities of Mónica Silvana GONZÁLEZ related to 2021/2075(INI)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT on the challenges for urban areas in the post-COVID-19 era
Amendments (47)
Amendment 8 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 17 a (new)
Citation 17 a (new)
— having regard to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change of 2015,
Amendment 9 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 17 b (new)
Citation 17 b (new)
— having regard to 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (UN SDGs),
Amendment 10 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 17 c (new)
Citation 17 c (new)
— having regard to the European Green Deal of 2021,
Amendment 11 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 17 d (new)
Citation 17 d (new)
— having regard to the European Strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities 2021-2030,
Amendment 12 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 17 e (new)
Citation 17 e (new)
— having regard to the new EU Roma Strategic Framework for equality, inclusion and participation,
Amendment 13 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 17 f (new)
Citation 17 f (new)
— having regard to the LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020-2025,
Amendment 14 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 18
Citation 18
Amendment 15 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 19
Citation 19
Amendment 17 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas cities continue to bwere oin the front line of the COVID-19 crisis, with dwindling economic activity, high rates of infection, low rates of vaccination and often inadequate resources; whereas the pandemic has also exacerbated the prevailing shortcomings in urban areas, exposing their vulnerabilities;
Amendment 25 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas longstanding inequalities within cities and towns have been deepened by the pandemic; whereas cities face challenges such as social exclusion and a lack of accessibility as well as environmental issuto essential resources;
Amendment 33 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
C a. whereas in the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, urban areas, especially metropolitan areas, need to dedicate adequate resources to the cultural and creative sectors to allow personal development of their habitants;
Amendment 34 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C b (new)
Recital C b (new)
C b. whereas post COVID 19, housing in cities remains a right; investment in affordable housing is needed; adequate warmth, cooling, lighting and the energy to power appliances, as well as affordable energy bills are essential services to guarantee a decent standard of living;
Amendment 38 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
D a. whereas metropolitan areas are the most unequal when it comes to access to essential resources such as health, education or digitalization, especially for vulnerable people such as migrants, persons with disabilities, LGBTI people, afrodescendant, Roma, etc.;
Amendment 40 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D b (new)
Recital D b (new)
D b. whereas the digital divide is horizontal and intersectional, covering gender gap, generational gap and social gap, and has been exacerbated during the Covid 19 pandemic;
Amendment 41 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D c (new)
Recital D c (new)
D c. whereas many houses and educational institutions lack access to adequate, up to date digital equipment;
Amendment 48 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
E a. whereas quality of life within towns and cities is a top priority in the fight against air pollution and noise;
Amendment 49 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E b (new)
Recital E b (new)
E b. whereas by 2050 two thirds of global population will live in cities, consuming 75% of the world’s natural resources, producing 50%of global waste and over 60% of green emissions, therefore building circular economy in cities and towns is a must to help reduce congestion, recycle waste and ensure sustainability of the economy;
Amendment 52 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas multi-level governance including the active involvement of urban authorities, based on coordinated action by the EU, the Member States and regional and local authorities, and in accordance with the partnership principle as laid down in the Common Provisions Regulation, are essential elements for the implementation of all EU policies and should be tackled in the framework of the Conference on the Future of Europe;
Amendment 72 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Underlines that overconcentration of the population in certain urban areas has already led to repercussions such as traffic congestion, the growing challenge of affordable housing, pollution, a deterioration in quality of life, urban sprawl, and a significant risk of poverty and social exclusion for certain segments of the population;
Amendment 73 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Calls for the revision of the Commission's guidelines on developing and implementing sustainable urban mobility plans; calls for those plans to foster multimodality and to tackle some side effects resulting from overconcentration of the population in certain urban areas, such as congestion and rising transport costs, throughout, for instance, balanced socio-economic arrangements to ensure there is no discrimination against EU citizens;
Amendment 78 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Calls on the Member States to include positive action measures that promotes the inclusion of marginalised communities such as people with disabilities, more isolated older people, homeless people and ethnic minorities such as Roma; calls for funding needs to be addressed at a local, regional and European level, including those of urban areas, especially metropolitan areas, in order to support these marginalised communities sustainably; recalls that sufficient national resources, as well as Structural Funds are key to the successful implementation of policy measures put forward by the EU Roma strategic framework for equality, inclusion and participation;
Amendment 89 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Highlights the socioeconomic challenges of urban centres, especially metropolitan areas with significant populations of migrants and refugees and other vulnerable communities; recalls that cities have a key role in building inclusive, accessible and welcoming communities where no one is left behind;
Amendment 97 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses the role played by cities towards gender equality; underlines that action aimed atwelcomes the fact that in the 2021-2027 cohesion policy (Art. 6a CPR) bridginges the gender gap uander that cohesion policy should employ an intersectionprogrammes promote equal aopproach that also takes age, race and disabilities into consideration; stresses, moreover, that the beneficiaries of cohesion policy should not adopt any discriminatory policies, least of all against minorities, such as the LGBTI communityortunities for all, without discrimination on the basis of gender, racial or ethnic origin, such as Roma, religious or belief, disability, age or sex orientation, least of all against minorities, such as the LGBTI community, throughout their preparation, implementation, monitoring, reporting and evaluation;
Amendment 100 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Underlines that cohesion policy should contribute to better integrating women in policy planning for regional and urban development to design gender- inclusive cities and communities in the post-COVID era;
Amendment 102 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
Amendment 108 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Emphasises the fact that the COVID-19 pandemic has led to spikes in domestic violence; calls on the Commission and the Member States towhen allocateing cohesion policy funding, as well as whend mobiliseing urban authorities, to address the global increase in gender-based violence;
Amendment 124 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Recognises that a synchronised strategy responding to both COVID-19 and, climate change mustand digital transition should be implemented to usher in an economic recovery that accelerates the sustainable transition;
Amendment 133 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Considers that in line with its commitments under the Paris Agreement, the Union must prioritise circular economy frameworks, sustainable urban mobility, rapid investment in green infrastructure and renewable energy in cities, and respect for the ‘do no significant harm’ principle;
Amendment 135 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11 a. Highlights that lockdown and sanitary measures have had a considerable impact on mobility demand and choice of transport mode, especially in urban areas, leading citizens to use public transport less; calls on EU, national, regional and local authorities to come up with awareness-raising campaigns on the safe use of public transport to regain trust among citizens on collective passenger transport; welcomes the EIB’s intention to support, alongside public authorities, ambitious investment programmes fostering sustainable mobility at local and regional level, such as sustainable urban mobility plans and public transport projects;
Amendment 137 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11 a. Underlines that cheaper energy for all in urban areas is a must; therefore, massive programmes for insulation of buildings and placing of solar panels on the roofs should be encouraged;
Amendment 138 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)
Paragraph 11 b (new)
Amendment 139 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)
Paragraph 11 b (new)
11 b. Highlights that local renewable energy communities should be empowered, in order to reduce energy consumption and decarbonisation of the energy systems and to enjoy the social benefits of a local energy market;
Amendment 147 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Warns that cities and towns are acutely vulnerable to the impacts of climate change; is highly concerned that heatwaves, which are already more extreme in cities due to the effects of urban heat islands, are increasing in both intensity and frequency, while extreme precipitation events and storm surges are likely to result in increased flooding such as that witnessed in Europe thisin summer; 2021, or extreme snow storms as in winter 2020-2021;
Amendment 149 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12 a. Emphasises that in the fight against heat waves and massive rains, more trees should be planted and green roofs installed, reducing the temperature, absorbing excessive rainwater and increasing the biodiversity;
Amendment 157 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Stresses that the commitment of urban areas is crucial for the transition to a climate-neutral society; believes, therefore, that more funding must be made available for urban areashould focus to achieve the targets of the European Green Deal, also in urban areas;
Amendment 176 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Stresses that digital literacy should be strengthened to expand access to new opportunities; considers that investment in education and training mustshould be boosted with comprehensive programmes for worker upskilling, reskilling and lifelong learning that respond to the shifts in demand for skills; calls for an action plaby the European Commission to advance women and girls in education and careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM);
Amendment 180 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16 a. Calls for the swift finalisation of the Common European Data space for mobility which could have a positive impact in public transportation systems within urban areas in terms of efficacy and efficiency and could consequently attract more users;
Amendment 182 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16 a. Recalls that digitalisation should go hand in hand not only with providing access to internet, but also availability to the necessary equipment;
Amendment 184 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 b (new)
Paragraph 16 b (new)
16 b. Calls for an EU action plan to implement a single and multimodal ticketing system which allows citizens to move in a more user-friendly and safe way between and within urban areas in the EU;
Amendment 187 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Underlines the need to adapt to the new reality in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic and to reflect on a new model for the EU’s urban areas; in this respect, considers that, by acknowledging the essential role played by local authorities, the Conference on the Future of Europe is a unique opportunity for the EU to adopt a bottom-up approach in order to rethink its governance and to be more efficient and closer to the real needs of the citizens, which should become partners in defining solutions;
Amendment 203 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Welcomes the Urban Agenda for the EU as a new model of multi-level governance; believdeplores that this should noit remains a voluntary process;
Amendment 204 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19 a. Notes that new personal mobility devices (e-scooters, electric bikes, among others) raise a number of serious concerns related to the safety of the devices themselves, their safe use, as well as to the lack of safe parking spaces in urban areas; calls on the Commission to issue guidelines for Member States on managing these safety aspects, including traffic rules; reminds the Commission and the Member States of the need to implement EU and national awareness- raising and education campaigns on the safe use of micromobility devices, with a particular focus on vulnerable road users and the redesigning of urban public spaces to include safe parking areas for these devices;
Amendment 206 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 b (new)
Paragraph 19 b (new)
19 b. Notes that the COVID-19 pandemic has led to the expansion of the home delivery sector and specifically the use of vans and powered two-wheeled vehicles such as mopeds and bicycles, boosting the emergence of new types of platform work and business models in urban areas; calls on the Commission to come up with a recommendation on the safety of delivery personnel, including requirements for employers and companies to ensure the provision and use of safety equipment and safe vehicles, as well as training in the digital tools they might have to use, such as applications and interactive platforms;
Amendment 212 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Reiterates the need for furtheradequate funding opportunities for cities to implement programmes locally; calls for the European Urban Initiative to be given a greater budget and scope;
Amendment 222 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21 a. Underlines that the ongoing COVID-19 crisis has highlighted and exposed strong disparities between urban and rural areas, such as in the quality and access to basic services i.e. healthcare and transport services; recalls that rural areas, which are home to 30.6% of the EU population, and particularly sparsely populated ones, suffer from a shortage of quality transport infrastructures as well as from low frequency of collective public transport services, which directly affect their connectivity, accessibility and ultimately their socioeconomic development; reiterates that improving and reinforcing rural-urban connectivity can play a decisive role in reversing depopulation trends and addressing post- COVID demographic changes and behaviours, such as the increased spread of teleworking or rural tourism;
Amendment 229 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Calls on the Commission to put forward a code of conduct on partnershipsReminds that each Member State shall prepare a Partnership Agreement, in accordance with the Code of conduct established by the COM delegated Regulation thereof, which should sets minimum standards for the involvement of regional, local, urban and other public authorities, economic and social partners, the relevant bodies representing civil society and non- governmental organisations, and the bodies responsible for promoting social inclusion, fundamental rights and non-discrimination; considers that such bodies should be involvedalls for a greater involvement of the partners in the preparation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of EU programmes, including in monitoring committees;
Amendment 235 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and, the Commission Member States and their parliaments.