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
The brewing conflict over the limited public spaces led to the eruption of a protest over the weekend
There’s a growing problem in Malta. It’s one that most foreign visitors and tourists might not be aware of, and that’s because they might be partially contributing to it. It’s the increasing encroachment of catering establishment tables and chairs on the sidewalks and squares of the small island nation.
The issue has reached such levels that it can be described as a veritable conflict between civil society, supported by NGOs, such as Moviment Graffitti, on the one hand, and the small business establishments that seem to disregard the right of access to urban public spaces, and the careless authorities, on the other.
Last Saturday, there was in fact a large demonstration in the capital Valletta calling towards the relevant institutions to start their work and enforce the existing regulations regarding the right of use of public spaces. Last year, the Republic’s Ombudsman went to Parliament to demand better rules and procedures regarding outdoor establishments, as well as better enforcement and punishments for the breaking of said rules.
So far, it seems the issue has stayed without resolution, so this is where Moviment Graffitti has stepped up with a guerilla tactic. The association handed out hundreds of stickers to volunteer citizens, who have the freedom to place them anywhere they wish to as a way of voicing their displeasure.
The stickers have messages on them, such as “No Pavements, No Vote” or “Pavements for Citizens” (both in English and Maltese), that directly call for civil disobedience in the face of governmental inaction.
The stickers have appeared in Valletta, Sliema, Mellieħa, Marsascala and Buġibba over the last few days.
Moviment Graffitti said the sticker campaign was the first step in further planned action. The NGO claims that they were not against having catering spaces outdoors, but that this was a fight against the rampant abuse and lack of enforcement.
The city was concerned about street noise and disturbances to residents
This, however, is likely to change soon
Crucial aspects of resilience, sustainable development and recovery will be under the thematic spotlight
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
The city was concerned about street noise and disturbances to residents
And the current administration plans to make Jardin del Turia Europe’s largest city green space by extending it to the sea
The aim is to have the public be able to admire the architectural design without distractions
The installation has been thought out with the concept of letting people “talk” to their dearly departed
It’s an urban space that has undergone several large-scale transformations throughout its existence
A US geologist claims to have solved the centuries-old mystery
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