Matosinhos becomes the first UN Resilience Hub in Portugal
The city joins the Province of Potenza (Italy) as the newest role models for the Making Cities Resilient 2030 initiative
An assessment report on the effectiveness of Low Emission Zones between 2018 and 2020 found a sustained and significant reduction in emissions in the city
On Monday, the environment and energy administration in the Brussels-Capital region published the results of an assessment report on the effects of the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) on the city’s air quality and the types of vehicles citizens prefer to operate.
Researchers link the zones to sustained improvements in the air quality, especially when it comes to pollutants like nitrogen, soot and fine dust particles, detrimental to physical and mental health. Furthermore, the zones prove an effective tool for reshaping the car habits of private citizens, promoting the usage of more efficient vehicles.
In January 2018, the local government in the Belgian capital decided to take bold action to clean up the air by instituting a Low Emissions Zone across the whole city. The zone makes use of the European standards on vehicle pollution, thus vehicles under the Euro 4 standard faced some restrictions.
Euro 3 cars, for instance, have been completely banned since January 2020. This measure was able to curb the number of vehicles while promoting the use of public transportation as a more cost-effective option for citizens
Now, the local government is getting ready to up the restrictions from January 2022 by banning diesel vehicles under Euro standard 4 altogether. At the same time, in 2030 no diesel engines will be allowed in the low emissions zone.
The strategy of targeted reduction of polluting vehicles seems to be paying off. According to the report, in 2020 harmful soot pollution was 38% lower compared to 2018 levels. Researchers also note a 9% drop in nitrogen oxide. Soot and nitrogen pollution are linked to respiratory and heart problems and they are also associated with mental health issues.
Another important consequence of the low emissions zone is the reduction of heavy-pollution vehicles. In 2018, 62% of all cars in Brussels were running on diesel, while this number has dropped to less than half in 2020. Hybrid vehicles are on the rise, filling the gap. The number of electric cars, though, is currently still negligible.
Peace and quiet in Baroque surroundings
The mayor of Stanz im Mürztal is building a renewable energy cooperative and it comes with a whole new economic model
The focus will be on solidarity, sustainability and green development, as well as on social development and security in the city
The Irish Environment Protection Agency released an updated map of affected regions in the country
The story of Dortmund’s 2011 Science City Masterplan and how it grew in the new decade
The Portuguese city is one of the participants in this exciting global initiative
It involves strategically placed pictograms on the pedestrian crossings
Never too early to fall in love with soft mobility
100 trees will take the place of 100 parking spaces in this Belgian town
It involves strategically placed pictograms on the pedestrian crossings
The Irish Environment Protection Agency released an updated map of affected regions in the country
Never too early to fall in love with soft mobility
These will be spread across 11 EU countries and will serve to support the EU Missions
The European Commission has accepted to develop the idea
An interview about AYR, one of the 2021 New European Bauhaus Prize winners
An interview with Nigel Jollands and Sue Goeransson from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
An interview with the President of the City of Athens Reception & Solidarity Centre
A talk with the Mayor of Malmö on the occasion of the city’s UN Resilience Hub status