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The traffic authorities tap into some psychology hacks to train road users for the new reality
A large-scale urban redevelopment project seeks to inject some life into the district by creating, among other things, housing units
The International Forum on Economic Transformation of Coal Regions will take place on 25 September
Remote workers will have to settle in Extremadura for a minimum of 2+1 years in order to get the full amount
It’s the first local authority in Austria to take this bold step
Benoît Payan has an idea to reorganize the work of the city administration
Despite the small scale of an SMR, it won’t be cheap to build, and it could become a reality only in the next decade
It’s already legal in Schleswig-Holstein and possibly soon in Hamburg
The municipality provides the tool to encourage more sustainable thinking and planning in the field of urban design
The energy-saving devices are part of a wider programme on the part of the Spanish municipality to show support for local SMEs
The energy-saving devices are part of a wider programme on the part of the Spanish municipality to show support for local SMEs
Despite the small scale of an SMR, it won’t be cheap to build, and it could become a reality only in the next decade
The traffic authorities tap into some psychology hacks to train road users for the new reality
This involves the creation of a special traffic control zone on streets leading to the UNESCO-protected Old Town
Plus, you might have to book a spot in advance to view the famous attraction
The mayor of the city, Anne Hidalgo, believes that the memory of the Games should stay on in some way, others aren’t so sure
And in other German cities, too
Plus, you might have to book a spot in advance to view the famous attraction
The academic institution shows a deeper understanding of the well-being of its students
Silesia is known as the industrial heart of the country, but its regional government wants to engender a new awareness among the youngest
The academic institution shows a deeper understanding of the well-being of its students
Bremerhaven is worried about the spreading of infections through this seemingly innocent act of compassion
The ear faces the door of the Ombudsman’s office at city hall
Today, authorities in Ghent, Belgium, put a monument in front of city hall, commemorating 25 years since the Ombudsman service was introduced. The ear is 2.5 metres tall and it faces the green door of the Belfry building, where the ombudsman office is located. It represents a cheeky comment on the nature of the office – always eager to hear citizens’ woes.
The move aims to put the service in the spotlight, as well as its achievements. Since its creation in 1996, the Ombudsman’s office has dealt with 15,000 complaints from citizens.
The first Ombudsman was Rita Passemiers, who occupied the position from 1996 to 2017. Currently, Helena Nachtergaele is filling the role and a focus of her office has been the digitalisation and de-bureaucratisation of the service.
The Ombudsman in Ghent handles complaints about the various city services and the police. Citizen complaints must first be raised with the relevant service and if both sides cannot reach an agreement, the Ombudsman steps in and tries to reach a settlement.
Furthermore, the office in Ghent publishes an annual report, tracking the major trends in public complaints, as well as recommendations for both the city and citizens. The latest report was published at the end of February and the most common reasons for complaints were related to parking, access to car-free areas, waste collection and low-emissions zones.
The ear faces the Belfry building where the Ombudsman is located at city hall,
Source: City of Ghent
Many of the complaints were related to what the Ombudsman’s office calls ‘the battle for public space’. This includes parking spaces being taken over by bike racks or greenery and people being refused parking rights in car-free areas.
At the same time, a number of complaints have started to appear due to the fact that more and more of the city’s services are starting to digitalise. The last point has actually prompted local authorities to start a project to help educate people on how to use the digital administration.
For the Ombudsman, though, that would not be enough, as she has recommended city services to always keep a non-digital alternative. At the same time, in the recommendations section of the report, the office has also suggested implementing a walk-in system without appointments, as a good way to remove barriers between citizens and the city’s administration.
It’s the first local authority in Austria to take this bold step
The traffic authorities tap into some psychology hacks to train road users for the new reality
Benoît Payan has an idea to reorganize the work of the city administration
The municipality provides the tool to encourage more sustainable thinking and planning in the field of urban design
The energy-saving devices are part of a wider programme on the part of the Spanish municipality to show support for local SMEs
Despite the small scale of an SMR, it won’t be cheap to build, and it could become a reality only in the next decade
The municipality provides the tool to encourage more sustainable thinking and planning in the field of urban design
The Danube Delta municipality is to surround itself with even more nature
It’s the first local authority in Austria to take this bold step
The historical document is set to be sold at an auction, but the Belgian city feels the document might have been stolen from its archives
And in other German cities, too
The academic institution shows a deeper understanding of the well-being of its students
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
