Modernising municipal infrastructure in Central and Eastern Europe in the context of EU environmental policy

Více o knize

Cities in Europe are increasingly challenged to provide public services and infrastructure, facing the need to modernize facilities like local transport, utilities, and waste disposal. For New EU Member States, European Union legislation enforcing high-quality standards drives this modernization. However, as the demand for renewal grows, traditional financing methods—taxes and fees—are often declining. Consequently, municipalities must navigate both technological challenges and financing questions. Exploring alternative financial and organizational models is essential, including cooperative models among communities and partnerships with private entities. Selling municipal operating companies may also help reduce budget deficits. Continuous learning for administrative officials is crucial for making informed decisions, and leveraging the experiences of other municipalities can mitigate reluctance to innovate and prevent poor choices. In response to these challenges, Leipzig University's Zentrum für Internationale Wirtschaftsbeziehungen and the Fraunhofer Zentrum Mittel- und Osteuropa organized a seminar focused on modernizing municipal infrastructure in Central and Eastern Europe. This event aimed to unite experts in municipal finance, public service management, technology, and know-how to share insights, discuss experiences, and promote best practices. While the seminar concentrated on water, wastewater, and waste disposal, th