Amsterdam bans creation of new hotels
Another piece in the overall strategy to reduce tourist flows to the city
Nijlen wants to be known as a bee-friendly town, which transforms words into actions
Nijlen is a small Belgian town, located to the east of Antwerp, which has the ambition to be known as a bee-friendly municipality. From installing insect hotels to convincing local farmers to create flower borders between their fields, the town has done everything possible to create an environment that is conducive to the thriving of the little flying honeymakers.
Now, the municipality is inviting citizens to support a pioneering project by the Flemish Bee Institute (VBI) (yes, apparently, there’s such an organization), called ‘Buzzwatch’, which will enlist the help of artificial intelligence (AI) in helping reduce
That itself is a complex issue, however, what’s clear is that large perishing rates of these insects can threaten the well-being of ecosystems and agriculture since many plants rely on the pollinating capacities of bees.
VBI plans to match bee populations and the relevant plants that they like to visit. By aerial mapping and the analysis of flower photos submitted by volunteer citizens, the smart system will manage to optimize the installation of hives, so that they’ll be close to the plants.
We have the science and the knowledge. The company Plantsoon will provide the app where citizens can easily record their observations with the photo they take. Only the financial side needs to be tackled, as the development costs are around 150,000 euros," explains René De Backer, president of VBI, as quoted by Belga news agency.
Nijlen was chosen as the test bed due to the high bee mortality last winter there and also because it’s surrounded by heathland. But before they get to snapping photos of bees and flowers, citizens are invited to help out the initiative by casting their online vote by noon on 3 November on amai.vlaanderen.
The latter is a website that aims to inform and involve them in the development of new AI applications in that Belgian region. The winning initiatives will get up to 125,000 euros in funding.
Silesian is spoken by about half a million people in the south of the country
Legislators and magnates have to await a preliminary ruling from the European Court of Justice
The building will then serve as the site for a new museum dedicated to Finnish-Russian relations
The tool helps identify undeclared swimming pools and garden sheds
It will serve as a virtual companion to the municipal network of libraries in the country
In addition, the federal government has launched the National Week of Action against Bicycle Theft to raise awareness of the issue and the new solution
The tests are also experimenting with a charging point that is easier to maintain
Reportedly, the aim of the local government is to curb violence and disorder among the youth
The city thinks that it’s time to update pet-related street cleanliness rules for the 21st century
Yes, you guessed it right, that also includes baguettes and cheeses
Reportedly, the aim of the local government is to curb violence and disorder among the youth
Silesian is spoken by about half a million people in the south of the country
Urban dwellers across the EU are having a say in making their surroundings friendlier to people and the environment.
Forests in the EU can help green the European construction industry and bolster a continent-wide push for architectural improvements.
Apply by 10 November and do your part for the transformation of European public spaces
Catch up with some recommendations for the 2024 European Capital of Culture programme from the mayor of Tartu
An interview with the ICLEI regional director for Europe аfter the close of COP28
An interview with a member of the No Hate Speech Network team