Amsterdam bans creation of new hotels
Another piece in the overall strategy to reduce tourist flows to the city
The reason is that the municipal measure would not achieve the climate goals that supposedly justify its existence
Earlier this year, we reported on the Latvian seaside town of Jūrmala’s way of dealing with summer overcrowding by levying an entrance fee. Apparently, the town council decided to expand said measure by raising the price of the fee from 2 to 3 euros and having it apply not just during the warmest six months of the year, but throughout the whole year – starting on 1 April 2022.
Today, however, the Latvian Ministry of Regional Development (MEPRD) overturned the municipal regulation, with the argument that the latter is unjustified and does not serve the public interest nor the environmental goals it purportedly wants to achieve.
Artūrs Toms Plešs, the Minister of Regional Development explained for LSM, Latvia’s public broadcaster, that the town council has not done its job in proper assessment of the impact of such fee expansion. As a result, it does not meet the public interest and is disproportionate.
For one, it contradicts the Law on Motorways, which stipulates that state and municipal roads, including streets, may be used free of charge.
Moreover, the municipality has not consulted with private persons when drafting the regulation. The decision does not take into account the rights and needs of merchants who are engaged in commercial activities in Jūrmala, but whose legal addresses are registered outside of the resort town.
The town council also stated that road transport contributes to climate change and air pollution. On the other hand, the actual aim of the decision is to reduce the transit flow on the territory of Jūrmala by diverting part of it to a bypass, which in general does not contribute to the reduction of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, it may even increase their amount. Consequently, the stated objective cannot serve as a basis for the decision taken.
The Ministry, for its part, stated that it will develop a proposal to offer financial subsidies, in the form of grants from 2022 onwards, for the express purchase of low-emission and zero-emission vehicles. That in the national government’s view is a more sustainable practice than cordoning off whole cities to free public access.
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
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The tool helps identify undeclared swimming pools and garden sheds
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Reportedly, the aim of the local government is to curb violence and disorder among the youth
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For the English-speakers that would be Saint Domnius, the patron saint of the Dalmatian capital
The famed torch will pass through more than 400 cities and towns in both Metropolitan and Overseas France
Yes, you guessed it right, that also includes baguettes and cheeses
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
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An interview with a member of the No Hate Speech Network team