Sibiu Municipality’s water infrastructure to be upgraded with 175 million euros
Local and national authorities worked tirelessly together to make the investment possible
Interview with the Mayor of Destelbergen, Belgium
Elsie Sierens was born in 1967. She has been mayor of the Flemish municipality of Destelbergen since 2019, an alderman between 2017 and 2018 and a city councillor from 2012-2017. In this interview, she talks about the challenges facing a full-time mayor, the major local projects and how the municipality designed their post-coronavirus recovery, based on a popular survey.
Destelbergen is a beautiful municipality not far from the historic city of Ghent. Our municipality is characterised by its green surroundings, beautiful nature and historic castles. The number of inhabitants is 18.000.
After 2 years as a mayor, this feels like my second skin. I am fully dedicated to this function as a full-time mayor, a choice I do not regret at all.
This position demands dedication, consultation, action, interference, adequate communication. As a full-time mayor, I can deal with problems quickly, am available and can easily consult our municipal services.
With the whole crew, we have tried to stick to our plan. Some projects have been delayed for a short time but so far, we did not have to put projects on hold.
This crisis also gave us the opportunity to add value to our organisation. Together with our inhabitants, associations, companies, we have added extra actions to overcome this crisis and to give extra oxygen to those in need.
The main projects in progress are a new school in the centre of Destelbergen and a new recreation area in Heusden (a sub municipality of Destelbergen).
During this pandemic, a variety of people were impacted. We think it is important to know what people think about the crisis and where they feel needs.
Therefore, we launched a survey (#Watbeliefteru9070helpt which translates to “we want to help you"). We questioned several categories and were happy with the results. With them in hand, we were able to focus on specific actions.
We were surprised and happy to find out that people were most in need of connection, space to come together, initiatives to bring people together. Our model is based on these principles.
Because of the pandemic, the federal government decided to ban fireworks throughout the country. Our council decided to ban fireworks during the period of New Year’s Eve for private individuals.
There is danger involved, the fire department advises us to ban fireworks. There is also the aspect of healthcare, we do not want any victims in the hospital.
Finally, there is also the aspect of animal cruelty. The response to our decision is positive.
I think we have brought citizen participation to a higher level, make people count.
Another important aspect is the climate. Therefore, I have signed the Covenant of Mayors, the reduction of CO2 emissions is high on the agenda.
The first edition of what is to become an annual event is taking place today and tomorrow online
The initiative is aimed at capturing a new type of tourist – the digital nomad
This month saw the kick-off meeting on the issue between CoR and EU Commission representatives
Locals can report problems through the app and pitch their suggestions for improvement to their officials
The city’s mayor wants the local government to become more efficient and digital in order to better support its citizens
Its launch was announced by the Lisbon Metropolitan Area
Ironically, this is actually a good time to promote these sustainable initiatives
Work on the site began earlier this week and was welcomed by the city’s mayor
Usually the event is hosted by the city of Valmiera
The planned ice arena will feature two hockey fields, a skating rink, warm-up and figure skating choreography halls
That is, unsure of who they want to become in the near future
A new book presenting the city in a manner suitable for toddlers has been developed with the input of local children
The plan is to do this with the historical train that runs the Vouga line in summers
Its design follows the concept of famous landscape architects Shiro and Yukihiro Nakane
Two of the city’s largest districts will be made greener, healthier and more pleasant to live in
The plan is to do this with the historical train that runs the Vouga line in summers
Its design follows the concept of famous landscape architects Shiro and Yukihiro Nakane
Two of the city’s largest districts will be made greener, healthier and more pleasant to live in
Some 222 million euros will be provided by the Commission under its Cohesion Policy
The planned ice arena will feature two hockey fields, a skating rink, warm-up and figure skating choreography halls
All of its offices have already been filled, as well as more than half of common workspaces