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Introduction To achieve the objective of sustainable cities, an integral approach to urban issues must be chosen. In addition, the European structural funds should be made available for local projects that embrace this integral approach. This is the most important message of the Leipzig Charter, which was adopted by the European ministers responsible for urban policy on 24 May. Description The Leipzig Charter is a step towards an agenda for a ‘European large cities policy’. By adopting the document, the EU recognizes the important social, cultural and economic role that cities play. The central message in the Leipzig Charter is the necessity of ‘integrated strategies and coordinated action’. The necessity of an integral approach imposes requirements on the institutional setting in which the (European) large cities policy is enacted. All levels of government – local, regional, national and European – have an interest in healthy cities and share the responsibility for the success of cities.
