EU Green Capital Valencia will host 2024 edition of European Urban Resilience Forum
Crucial aspects of resilience, sustainable development and recovery will be under the thematic spotlight
Interview with the mayor of Erlangen, Germany
Erlangen has adopted the city motto “Offen aus Tradition” which means: It’s our tradition to be open-minded. The motto alludes to our city's history when Huguenots, fleeing religious persecution, were settled in the 17th century.
This Huguenot heritage shapes our city to this day and is seen in the centre, which was laid out as a planned baroque city. But the motto is also true in present days. Thanks to the local university, top research institutes and large companies such as Siemens and Framatome, people from almost 150 nations live and work together in Erlangen. “Offen aus Tradition” is our claim for a diverse, colourful coexistence.
Our landmarks are the planned baroque city mentioned before, numerous striking Siemens buildings, and once a year, the famous Bergkirchweih with its Ferris wheel. For twelve days in spring, this well-known beer festival brings together people from many different countries... And last but not least: Erlangen is also a bike-friendly city.
Erlangen is currently experiencing an extensive urban transformation. Siemens is developing a new campus in the south of the city, bringing together units of the company that were previously spread across different parts of the city centre.
The university’s humanities centre will move into buildings in the centre of the city where Siemens was previously located. We are creating the infrastructure and the framework for sustainable urban transformation, for example with a new tram project or comprehensive promotion of cycling as a modern and green way of urban mobility.
Climate change is a major challenge. Far-reaching decisions are to be made to achieve climate neutrality in Erlangen before 2030.
The exchange with other cities is already part of our daily practice. Erlangen maintains 14 city partnerships and actively cooperates within international networks such as Intercultural Cities. Together, we discuss how to protect and strengthen democracy, how to best achieve integration and life in diversity and, of course, also how to protect our climate.
We have launched numerous initiatives for local retailers, restaurants, the cultural sector and socially disadvantaged people. But it is also clear that the situation for all these people remains tense due to the pandemic.
Creating more affordable housing remains a major challenge. We have succeeded in building many new units in recent years. But it is still difficult to find an apartment in Erlangen, especially for people with low income.
This, however, is likely to change soon
Crucial aspects of resilience, sustainable development and recovery will be under the thematic spotlight
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This is city twinning for the 21st century
You can find it in the capital Sofia, where it was installed upon the initiative of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
People in both cities got to sit together both in person and virtually
An illegal landfill will turn into a parking lot for cars confiscated by the police
It also features fast-charging stations for e-buses
Crucial aspects of resilience, sustainable development and recovery will be under the thematic spotlight
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This is the day when all madrileños take local pride in their city and culture
And the results were immediate, two Sunday services had to be performed to accommodate the crowd
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Apply by 10 November and do your part for the transformation of European public spaces
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