Barcelona begins work on connecting its two separate tram systems
The first time in over half a century that a tramway will run through the heart of the city
Intelligent napkin dispensers will alert students and teachers when surfaces need disinfecting
The Danish Municipality of Aarhus has collaborated with the Aarhus-based company Zurface Group to provide 12 schools with intelligent napkin dispensers that keep the environment clean. With this partnership, Aarhus seeks to reduce the spread of infection and make schools safer.
The smart napkin dispensers assess the cleanliness of indoor climates by collecting data such as CO2 and VOC levels, temperature, humidity, and noise. With this knowledge, the device can evaluate whether the environment needs to be disinfected.
If the Zurface napkin dispenser determines that the surrounding surfaces must be cleaned, it will light up to alert students and teachers. When this occurs, they must use the appliance’s disposable wipes to clean the classroom’s surfaces.
On its website, Aarhus municipality reported that the intelligent technology was first tested in a pilot project. According to its findings, 82% of the classroom’s surfaces were contaminated by lunchtime before the use of Zurface. This percentage dropped significantly when the use of Zurface was introduced, with only 3% of surfaces being recorded as unclean.
Councilor for Children and Young People Thomas Medom commented on the pilot project, noting that both students and teachers reported feeling more comfortable after the use of the intelligent technology.
It is important to note that the Zurface Group created this device prior to the outbreak of the pandemic. Taking this further, its original purpose was to reduce the spread of the common flu and other viruses.
Today, the intelligent napkin dispenser alleviates the concerns of both parents and children who may still feel afraid of contracting COVID. Furthermore, Medom notes that the devices will enhance productivity by reducing sick leave and the need to hire substitute teachers.
Mayor of Aarhus Jacob Bundsgaard expressed his satisfaction with the municipality’s collaboration, sharing that the Zurface devices can soon be used in other parts of the city.
If you want to keep up with how European cities and regions are changing, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
The first time in over half a century that a tramway will run through the heart of the city
The cultural and victim remembrance facility will be located in Rome
Many municipalities instituted privileges for EVs to promote sustainable mobility. Now, a lot more people are driving electric, so maybe it’s time to normalise legislation
The city has a strategy of putting 10,000 human-controlled and autonomous shuttles on the streets by 2030
Last week, the Chinese app was banned for Belgian federal employees for an initial period of six months
Authorities have published two maps, one of the roofs and the other – of facades so that locals can make the right decision when choosing green energy
The first time in over half a century that a tramway will run through the heart of the city
The city has a strategy of putting 10,000 human-controlled and autonomous shuttles on the streets by 2030
The product launch will mark the 10-year anniversary since the city started working with ethically sourced products
The city has developed its own way to teach young people how to react when they witness unjust treatments
The cultural and victim remembrance facility will be located in Rome
Find out which European region has the highest longevity, and which one the lowest
The new itineraries are part of the DiscoverEU programme, which lets 18-year-olds travel by train between important European sites
The European Commission has published its first progress report charting the achievements of the socio-cultural movement that combines beauty, inclusion and sustainability
The 2023 edition of the creative initiative promises to be bigger, bolder and more inclusive
A talk with the head of Mission Zero Academy on the benefits for municipalities if they go the zero waste way
A talk with Nicolae Urs, one of the key figures behind the city's new data platforms and online services strategy
Veni Markovski’s take on dealing with disinformation in the European Union's poorest country – Bulgaria