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ERDF Ex-post Evaluation of Urban Development and Social Infrastructure Interventions

Christine Hamza
Keywords: evaluation, ESIF, urban development, social infrastructure interventions, ERDF, 2007-2013 programming period, urban development strategies


This ex-post evaluation analyses the nature of the interventions that have been financed and what has been achieved with ERDF support in the 2007-2013 period related to urban development and social infrastructure. It is the first study to undertake this effort. The analysis is based on monitoring data, document screening, interviews with managing authorities and a survey of project implementation bodies. The results of the evaluation reveal that integrated urban development strategies are defined and take effect outside the Operational Programmes at local level, while social infrastructure interventions follow a more sectoral path mostly at national or regional level. Integrated urban development challenges, objectives and outcomes tend to be vague. Achievements are seen in making a locality or city more attractive for residents, businesses and visitors. In some Member States, investment in social infrastructures contributes to a more or less fundamental reform of the respective system. This is particularly relevant for health and education infrastructure. Generally, there is a tendency for EU-13 Member States to invest more in infrastructure and for EU-15 to focus more on integrated strategies.

The article is solely based on the findings obtained during the ex-post evaluation of Cohesion Policy Programmes 2007-2013 – Work Package 10. The content refers to the final report submitted to the Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy of the EC in February 2016. The ex-post evaluation was carried out by Metis GmbH together with IfS Institut für Stadtforschung und Strukturpolitik GmbH.
Christine Hamza is an independent expert and project leader of the ex-post evaluation WP 10. The views expressed in this article are personal.

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