Regions & Cities: The EU Agencies Race
EUobserver's 2017 Regions & Cities magazine takes a closer look at EU agencies and the benefits for cities and regions to host them. The UK leaving the EU has prompted a scramble for the European Medicines Agency and the European Banking Authority among most of the remaining member states. But what makes a city competitive? Which cities stand a good chance to become the new hosts? And what do EU agencies bring to the local economy?
EUobserver's 2017 Regions & Cities magazine takes a closer look at EU agencies and the benefits for cities and regions to host them. The UK leaving the EU has prompted a scramble for the European Medicines Agency and the European Banking Authority among most of the remaining member states. But what makes a city competitive? Which cities stand a good chance to become the new hosts? And what do EU agencies bring to the local economy?
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CYCLING<br />
Accessibility is one of the six criteria, but<br />
many bids also emphasise the ease of<br />
getting around within the city.<br />
Photos of bicycles, usually set in a sunny<br />
backdrop, were a popular feature in<br />
many of the applications. Germany spoke<br />
of Frankfurt's "excellent cycle paths",<br />
while Denmark noted that around "400<br />
kilometres of bicycling paths connect<br />
the different areas of Copenhagen". <strong>The</strong><br />
Dutch application - an 86-glossy page<br />
book weighing 400 grams - included seven<br />
photos prominently showing bicycles.<br />
SPORTS<br />
Some cities aren't afraid to get physical.<br />
Photo: or yayo<br />
Copenhagen offered agency staff "plentiful parks, lakes and<br />
green spots - ideal for a football match or a relaxing picnic",<br />
while others like Paris and Barcelona point out how much<br />
cheaper a gym membership is compared to the UK.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Bulgarian bid expected EMA staff to share a hobby with<br />
the US president: "If you are a golf enthusiast, you can enjoy<br />
the best golf courses in Eastern Europe such as the Thracian<br />
Cliffs and Pirin Golf," it said, noting that the nearest golf course<br />
is only 15 minutes away from the planned headquarters. It<br />
neglected to mention, however, that the permit granted to one<br />
of the golf courses by the Bulgarian government was given in<br />
violation of <strong>EU</strong> law.<br />
REGIONS & CITIES OCTOBER 2017— 25
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