EUROPEAN FUNDS: IMPACT ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT OF THE COSTA DEL SOL

Since the creation of the EU and the successive incorporation of new members, it has become evident of the existence of economic and territorial differences between European regions. This has urged the EU to have to promote an active policy of economic, territorial and social cohesion, highlighting the principles of sustainable development, integrated and forward thinking and with a strong component of respect and protection of the environment. In this undertaking, the European structural and investment funds (EIE) help to reduce territorial inequalities and improve the living conditions of European citizens, creating for its benefit, the European regional development fund, the European social fund, the cohesion fund, the European maritime and fisheries fund and the European agricultural fund for rural development. In this context, the ELT, in close collaboration with state, regional and local governments, encourages periodic meetings with a positive outcome on the urban environment, through the "DUSI strategies" (strategies for sustainable and integrated urban development), "innovative urban action", "URBACT" and "singular projects EBC"(low carbon economy), all developed under the umbrella of the ERDF funds.