Sustainable development is a fundamental principle shared by the European Union, member states and local authorities. It promotes the continuous improvement in the quality of life and wellbeing of present and future generations. Promoting sustainable urban development is a key element of the European Cohesion Policy and a continuous process.

In May 2007, the European Ministers responsible for urban development signed the “Leipzig Charter on Sustainable European Cities” with the aim of improving policy-making on integrated urban development, with a particular focus on deprived neighbourhoods.

In November 2008, in Marseille, the European Ministers called for the implementation of the charter for the cities and with the cities. This recognised the implications of climate and environmental change for cities and the need for adaptation measures. They agreed that a practical tool was needed to translate the common sustainability goals and the recommendations in the Leipzig Charter into practice.

The Reference Framework was developed to meet this need. It is the result of close multilevel collaboration between EU Member States, European Institutions, and European organisations representing cities and local governments.

In Toledo, the European Ministers of urban development reasserted their wish that the the reference framework should be disseminated and that its testing phase should be implemented by European cities.