Amsterdam bans creation of new hotels
Another piece in the overall strategy to reduce tourist flows to the city
The toasting event is an annual tradition for the municipality, held again after a two-year hiatus
On 15 January, 11,000 people in Ghent, Belgium, got together around city hall to wish each other all the best in the new year in what is known as the nieuwjaarsdrink (New Year’s Drink).
The contemporary tradition started at turn of the century and it features local authorities sharing free drinks with citizens, while the Mayor makes a speech about the year to come.
Another staple of the New Year’s Drink is the festival portion of the programme, including live music. The event had to take a two-year hiatus, however, due to the pandemic. As with many annual events around the world, which collected dust in the past years, it came back to cheering applause from people who are just happy to finally be out of the house.
Around 11,000 Ghent citizens showed up to celebrate the event in front of City Hall. During the New Year’s Drinks, local authorities handed out a total of 28,000 free drinks including mulled wine, fruit juice and even soup. Moreover, the stage featured an 18-piece Ghent brass band called the Brazzmatazz.
According to an official statement, Mayor Mathias De Clerq gave a speech at the event highlighting the turbulent times of 2022 but also pointing to the resilience of Ghent’s citizens. Moreover, he praised the local citizen-led organisations contributing to society with solidarity.
This year local authorities opened the door to accessibility in their communication, both with amplification for people with hearing aids and an interpreter, providing sign language translations in real-time. In front of the stage, local authorities also set up a special area for people with disabilities.
Legislators and magnates have to await a preliminary ruling from the European Court of Justice
The building will then serve as the site for a new museum dedicated to Finnish-Russian relations
Another piece in the overall strategy to reduce tourist flows to the city
In addition, the federal government has launched the National Week of Action against Bicycle Theft to raise awareness of the issue and the new solution
The facility will replace the need to have water supplied by tankers from Valencia
Modern traffic lights do more than regulate the flow of vehicles at crossroads, they also collect enormous amounts of data
Experimenting with public transport provision in Germany is clearly in a state of creative fervour
Legislators and magnates have to await a preliminary ruling from the European Court of Justice
It also set the standards for a better European parking card for people with disabilities
The benefit will last until the Dutch parliament adopts the transgender law
Experimenting with public transport provision in Germany is clearly in a state of creative fervour
It also set the standards for a better European parking card for people with disabilities
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