What’s land recycling? Read about this German example
The city of Flensburg got a grant from the regional government of Schleswig-Holstein so that it would avoid building on new land
According to the municipality, this is the country’s largest energy upgrade programme
On 1 November, the Greek capital revealed that it will soon implement the largest energy upgrade programme the country has ever planned. That is, the City of Athens will replace its current “traditional” lighting fixtures with a total of 43,679 new and modern lamps that will enhance the security of citizens, reduce costs, and benefit the environment.
Currently, there is a total of approximately 45,500 street lights in Athens’ seven municipal districts. This entire network reportedly consumes about 36 GWh per year, costing the City of Athens around 5.3 million euros each year.
The modern lighting fixtures will help the Greek capital realise tremendous savings as the new network is expected to consume only 7.5 GWh per year, costing 1.1 million euros annually. Beyond this, the maintenance costs will drop from 300,000 to 86,000 euros. Taking these figures into account, the City of Athens has calculated that the upgraded network will help it realise savings of around 80%.
In a press release, the Greek capital shared that each of the 43,679 modern lighting fixtures can be controlled remotely. What is more, the network will automatically signal the presence of faults, allowing the municipality to easily maintain or replace damaged lamps.
In addition, the modern fixtures will benefit the safety and protection of both citizens and the environment. Expanding on this, the lights will be equipped with movement sensors, allowing pedestrians to feel more secure when walking through parks and squares at night. Furthermore, the municipality will install a warm shade of light (3000K) which will minimise light pollution.
The City of Athens will begin working on the supply and installation of the network in the summer of 2022. To finance this ambitious project, the municipality has secured funds from the Public Investment Programme of the Ministry of the Environment. The replacement of the current network is estimated to cost approximately 53.6 million euros. In a press release, the Mayor of Athens Kostas Bakoyannis commented:
“Athens is evolving according to the requirements of the 21st century. We worked, according to plan, for the energy upgrade of the city, utilising the technological means we now have and thus securing valuable resources for the Municipality of Athens.
With the implementation of this integrated, innovative program, we achieve an ambitious goal: To restore the feeling of security for all residents and – at the same time – to highlight every beautiful corner of the city, which due to lack of lighting in several places, remained hidden. Athens acquires after years, the lighting that befits a modern, European capital.”
The goal is to preserve these traditional features in the urban landscape while finding new purpose for their existence
His name is Adrian-Dragoș Benea from Romania
Find out her vision for the next five years and what’s in store for the European Union
Gotland wants to be at the forefront of this emerging mobility technology
It’s all about preventing the habit of slowing down just for the radar
Landkreis Heilbronn will also enlist the help of sensors to identify incorrectly filled organic trash bins
Apparently, that makes it the most progressive city in that respect in all of Finland
Residents couldn’t handle the noise pollution anymore
The Old Continent gets ready for the largest festival of sports
Apparently, that makes it the most progressive city in that respect in all of Finland
The goal is to preserve these traditional features in the urban landscape while finding new purpose for their existence
Residents couldn’t handle the noise pollution anymore
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
An interview with the Mayor of a Polish city that seeks to reinvent itself
An interview with the newly elected ICLEI President and Mayor of Malmö
A conversation with the Mayor of Lisbon about the spirit and dimensions of innovation present in the Portuguese capital