By Gaye Doganoglu
Throughout history, cities have been looked upon, and sought, as places of protection, as fortresses whose walls shielded its residents from foreign invasions or feudal wars. Over centuries, urban dwellings have built up their status as depositories of knowledge and hubs of cultural traditions to become centres of excellence for arts and sciences, and a source of creativity and innovation. Today, urban settlements, towns and cities are playing a key role as generators of ideas, catalysts for change and a tool for pooling resources to advance development in a more sustainable manner.
The publication "Local Governments and Disaster Risk Reduction: Good practices and lessons learned" has finally been published and is now available for download on PreventionWeb: 
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe closed its 18th Session on 19th March 2010. 
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe held its 17th Plenary Session in Strasbourg from 13 to 15 October 2009. In preparation for the UN Conference in Copenhagen in December, the Congress held a debate on the important contribution of local and regional policy makers to the global challenge of climate change.
The first European Urban Charter, adopted by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe in 1992, was a ground-breaking step for Europe and marked a key stage in the necessary recognition of the urban phenomenon in the development of our societies. Since then, our societies, economies and cultures have undergone far-reaching changes. In a context of rapid change and of massive urban development, towns and cities now face challenges on an unprecedented scale.
