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 Fallen Angel at the Montjuic Castle was the last Francoist monument in Barcelona, Source: Ajuntament de Barcelona
It took two city council terms to clean up the public city space from dictatorship memorabilia
The public areas of Barcelona are now entirely free of monuments glorifying the fascist Francoist regime, which ruled Spain from 1936 till 1975. The authorities announced that they have removed the angel statue from the Montjuïc Castle's monument to the fallen.
That statue was located in the Santa Elena moat. It dates back to 1940 and was the last remaining Francoist sculpture in a public space. The indication “public” is important as there are likely some privately held monuments in existence but those remain so at the discretion of their owners.
The sculpture, which weighs some 2 tonnes, will be stored at MUHBA, Barcelona’s history museum, thus becoming part of the local historical heritage to be studied and analyzed by future generations. It will not glorify an undemocratic regime anymore, though.
Apparently, during the dismantling, a bronze chest was discovered underneath the sculpture. Based on articles from the early years of the dictatorship, it is thought to contain sand that was soaked with the blood of fallen Francoist soldiers.
Jordi Rabassa, the city's councilmember for democratic memory, told the Catalan News Agency that the matter had been "pending" for a while.
"We don't want to get rid of it completely," he said. "We don't want it to be forgotten."
According to Rabassa, the council has taken down over 1,000 Franco-era plaques on buildings across the city over the past two terms. Despite these efforts, there are still some that private property owners do not wish to remove.
Rabassa also explained that the council withdrew the fascist Falangist Association's permit to hold mass beside the monument this last term. That is a reminder of how such monuments can still inspire extremist political action even in modern times.
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