Amsterdam bans creation of new hotels
Another piece in the overall strategy to reduce tourist flows to the city
The first time in over half a century that a tramway will run through the heart of the city
This month saw the start of the works that will create three new tram stops on the iconic Diagonal Avenue of Barcelona. The work for laying the tracks and setting up the stops is expected to take about a year and represents the first phase of connecting the Catalonian capital’s two separate tram networks – Trambaix and Trambesòs, with the goal of integrating them into one.
While visiting the works on Monday, mayor Ada Colau said that the expanded network "will be an icon of the 21st century and future Barcelona." For her, the new tram line, crossing Barcelona's centre for the first time in over 50 years, will be "a model at the international level."
Indeed, as per the mayor’s words, trams have had an on-and-off relationship with Barcelona. First introduced in the distant 1872 (in the form of a horse-drawn tramway), that mobility mode was considered a breakthrough for its time and it helped integrate the surrounding villages into the urban core, paving the way for what was to become the metropolitan area.
During the first quarter of the 20th century, the vehicles underwent electrification, however, until 1925, it was two different companies that operated the trams, thus also showing a dual system. These days, although there are two networks, they are both operated by the same company – TRAMMET. The early 20th century was also notable for a tram incident, which caused the death of famed architect Antoni Gaudi in 1926.
But then gradually, trams fell out of favour with Barcelonians who were increasingly falling in love with the car, so, by 1971 only a tourist tramline was left in operation. It still exists today and it’s called Tramvia Blau.
In 2004, however, the light rail vehicles started rolling again on the streets of the Catalonian capital, mostly serving its peripheral areas through the two separate networks. Now, the plan is to unite them and have one comprehensive network again in times when quiet, sleek and cheap public transport is back in fashion due to its sustainable benefits.
The building will then serve as the site for a new museum dedicated to Finnish-Russian relations
Another piece in the overall strategy to reduce tourist flows to the city
The previous mayor was forced out of office following a no-confidence vote in the city council
In addition, the federal government has launched the National Week of Action against Bicycle Theft to raise awareness of the issue and the new solution
The facility will replace the need to have water supplied by tankers from Valencia
Modern traffic lights do more than regulate the flow of vehicles at crossroads, they also collect enormous amounts of data
Everyone’s invited free of charge, but only after registration
Italian cities and regions continue experimenting with creative proposals to curb overtourism effects
In addition, the federal government has launched the National Week of Action against Bicycle Theft to raise awareness of the issue and the new solution
Italian cities and regions continue experimenting with creative proposals to curb overtourism effects
The building will then serve as the site for a new museum dedicated to Finnish-Russian relations
You can see it in a church in the city’s northern districts and it’s larger than a basketball court
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