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
Mayor Ilko Stoyanov explained that this will not affect the city’s capacity to service locals in need of housing
Today, authorities in Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria, announced their decision to house Ukrainian refugees in the city’s vacant social housing units. This is one of the first municipalities to react so decisively to the issue, as the proposal has already made it through the city council.
According to a statement by the city, this will not affect the supply of social housing available for residents. At the same time, Mayor Ilko Stoyanov explained that the municipality needs to react rapidly and appropriately.
Blagoevgrad is one of the few municipalities in Bulgaria that has a robust and functional social housing policy. The buildings in question were constructed as part of the EU operational programme ‘Regions in Growth’. The decision comes as a reaction to the growing number of Ukrainians feeling the Russian invasion.
The municipality can offer 141 vacant apartments, 129 of which are one-bedroom, 10 are two-bedroom and two are three-bedroom. Mayor Ilko Stoyanov explained that currently there are no people on the waiting lists for social housing. However, if they were to apply he said that they would be treated with priority.
At the end of last month, authorities in Blagoevgrad created a refugee centre to coordinate help for the displaced Ukrainians. The centre mainly deals with citizen volunteers, offering to drive people in need, translating and more. The city also has an office of the Bulgarian Red Cross, collecting donations of essential items.
Mayor Stoyanov explained that the municipality will not turn away any citizens who fulfil the criteria for social housing. He also pointed out that authorities need to react as quickly as possible to help the victims of the war in Ukraine.
He concluded: “Do not be afraid to be the first ones to step up. On the contrary, you should be proud to be a good example in Bulgaria and abroad.”
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