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
The state government in Stuttgart wants to blanket their province with solar panels
Germany’s state of Baden-Württemberg will mandate its citizens to install solar panels on their homes every time they do major roof renovations, according to a new law coming into effect on 1 January 2023. The same applies to the construction of new buildings, however, the law will come into effect sooner, on 1 May of next year.
The Green-CDU coalition government has some ambitious goals in the fight against climate change in the near future. Baden-Württemberg wants to stay at least five years ahead of the federal government and get to climate neutrality by the year 2040. This will greatly outpace Germany’s overarching milestone of 90% climate neutrality by the year 2050.
The new law will make developers install photovoltaic systems during the construction of new buildings from 1 May of 2022, with the same rule applying for parking spaces larger than 35 cells. Homeowners will also have to keep this regulation in mind, as every major roof renovation from 1 January of 2023 onwards will come with mandatory solar panels.
Environment Minister Thekla Walker underlined the fact that this is one of the most progressive climate protection laws on the provincial level in the whole country. Before the state parliament’s summer break a week ago, the coalition government in Stuttgart agreed to create solar obligations for schools, commercial buildings, and supermarkets. Now, they have decided to expand upon their preliminary ideas.
More and more solar systems are going up across Baden-Württemberg, with 2020’s output being a good 30% higher than that of the previous year. However, there is still some catching up to do in terms of both solar and wind energy. The proportion of “green” electricity in the state’s overall energy production breakdown is around 30%, which is about 10% lower than the country’s average.
The floods from last week and this week as well hitting Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Austria and Romania had a sharpening effect on the region’s overview on the urgency of climate change.
Germany’s death toll sits at 169 people, while material damages are estimated to cost around 2 billion euros, and that is just when it comes to infrastructure. At the same time, the country pledged financial aid for citizens who suffered material damages, and that will surely push the cost up.
Minister Walker explained that her rationale for the law is to mitigate the consequences of climate change and ultimately make future generations' efforts easier.
If you want to keep up with how European cities and regions are changing, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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