Sibiu Municipality’s water infrastructure to be upgraded with 175 million euros
Local and national authorities worked tirelessly together to make the investment possible
But Polish cities need to accelerate their action for clean air, shows a recent report
Krakow reports that it managed to reduce the concentration of winter dust by half over the last seven years. One of the reasons for this success is the number of solid fuel-burning boilers replaced, which is the highest in the entire Lesser Poland province, informed the authorities last week.
These findings are based on a report by social movement Polski Alarm Smogowy (Polish Smog Alarm, which originates precisely from Krakow), showing that the second-largest Polish city is at the forefront in the fight against smog. However, there is a long way to go for Polish cities, the report also shows.
The Polish Smog Alarm (PAS) checked how the replacement of coal furnaces in provincial cities and towns most affected by smog goes. Their analysis shows that the pace of replacement of these installations is not satisfactory in Poland, which has the most polluted air in Europe.
To get these results, the authors of the report asked cities about the number of kotły (a central heating device for burning solid fuels) replaced in 2019, but only half of the voivodeship cities appear to have such information. Respectively, a record-high number of boilers was replaced in Kraków (4,188), where coal and wood burning is prohibited from September 2019. Wrocław came second (1442), and Katowice came third (1213).
Only in the years 2012–2019, when the replacement of boilers was intensive, Krakow allocated over PLN 330 million (72 million euros) for the purpose, summarise the authorities. The city would like to continue the program of thermal modernization of single-family buildings next year and the provision of subsidies for heating bills.
Another challenge facing Krakow is resolving the issue of car pollution and the city is in talks with the Ministry of Climate about the amendment to the act on electromobility and clean transport zones. Air protection programs, with very intensive implementation, usually last around 10 years, so if Krakow completes the program on traffic emissions and resolves the difficulties related to central regulations, it will be a leader in this matter.
Another finding of the report is that, compared to last year, the number of boiler replacements has not improved significantly. “Without involvement in anti-smog activities at every level, we will wait many more years before the air in Poland begins to meet the standards. We should also remember that due to breathing polluted air each year 46,000 citizens die prematurely”, Andrzej Guła from Polish Smog Alarm warned, quoted by biznesalert.pl.
Finally, in communes and cities replacing boilers occurred mainly with local subsidy programs and not the government's programme for clean air, which proves not sufficiently familiar and popular with citizens, despite often offering higher subsidies, conclude from PAS.
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
It will guide 10 enterprises towards growth starting this spring
Usually the event is hosted by the city of Valmiera
Join this online event and find great stories about city transformation
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