EU Green Capital Valencia will host 2024 edition of European Urban Resilience Forum
Crucial aspects of resilience, sustainable development and recovery will be under the thematic spotlight
The Garisenda Tower is the lower of the two and it rises 48 metres high
This past weekend, authorities in Bologna sealed off access to the medieval Garisenda Tower and the streets around it citing safety concerns in the heritage structure. Garisenda Tower features prominently in the skyline of the city, together with its ‘twin tower’ – Torre degli Asinelli.
Reportedly, sensors in the ancient tower sounded the alarm that there was an increasing amount of “worrying” movement.
Bologna’s mayor, Matteo Lepore, however calmed the public by telling journalists that there was no risk of imminent collapse of the building and thus the public was not in danger.
The tower has always swayed and leaned since it was built," he added, as quoted by Wanted in Rome.
The mayor was adamant that since the tower was one of the major symbols of the city, his administration would do everything to “safeguard” it. That could include a ban on traffic circulation near the towers.
Still, there was criticism levied at the local government on part Lucia Borgonzoni, the Italian cultural undersecretary, in whose opinion the Bologna City Hall has underestimated the situation. She added that 5 million euros have been set aside from the Recovery Plan to beef up the tower’s foundations.
Both towers date back to the early 12th century when they were built as a display of wealth and power by two of the city’s patrician families. In a way, it was the ambition of trying to outdo each other that spurred the creation of the medieval “skyscrapers”.
Torre della Garisenda rises 48 metres high, but initially it was even taller – at 60 metres. However, its height was reduced in the 14th century due to unstable ground underneath it. But even at its original height it was dwarfed by the Asinelli Tower, which reaches 90 metres.
This, however, is likely to change soon
Crucial aspects of resilience, sustainable development and recovery will be under the thematic spotlight
The island is dead set on doing something about the problem of overtourism
This is city twinning for the 21st century
You can find it in the capital Sofia, where it was installed upon the initiative of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
People in both cities got to sit together both in person and virtually
The aim is to have the public be able to admire the architectural design without distractions
It’s an urban space that has undergone several large-scale transformations throughout its existence
An illegal landfill will turn into a parking lot for cars confiscated by the police
The installation has been thought out with the concept of letting people “talk” to their dearly departed
It’s an urban space that has undergone several large-scale transformations throughout its existence
A US geologist claims to have solved the centuries-old mystery
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