Roskilde plans to build a new sustainable orphanage
Its development and construction will place special emphasis on sustainability and the quality of indoor climate
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 plans and funding were presented this week by the Portuguese Government
Its development and construction will place special emphasis on sustainability and the quality of indoor climate
The Czech capital will build 21 kilometres of cycle trails
The first such project to be introduced in Italy
It eliminates the presence of viruses by 99% within 2 hours
The city has just received the Linking Cities Award 2021 for its performance in datasphere
Check them out in the gallery
The plans and funding were presented this week by the Portuguese Government
Approximately 100 of these are currently privately owned
The first such project to be introduced in Italy
The Cantabrian tourism ministry is working on the creation of ‘water routes’
It eliminates the presence of viruses by 99% within 2 hours
The initiative seeks the closer integration and engagement of cities and regions
Europa Nostra proposes a Green Paper that details how to achieve that
Its motto is ‘beautiful, sustainable, together’
An interview with the mayor of Ludwigshafen, Germany
Interview with Simona Petkova, Policy Assistant at Unit C4 –Digital Education, Directorate-General Education, Youth, Sport and Culture, European Commission
An interview with the mayor of Lucena in Spain