What’s land recycling? Read about this German example
The city of Flensburg got a grant from the regional government of Schleswig-Holstein so that it would avoid building on new land
The 17 pianos each have a distinctly urban look having been painted by local youth organisations, schools and hostels
Imagine this: It’s a hot European summer’s day, the sun is blazing in a clear blue sky and you are walking down a quiet cobblestone street overflowing with flowers, surrounded by late Medieval architecture. Suddenly, you get the urge to play the piano and make music. But where do you find a piano on such short notice?
Luxembourg City – that’s where.
Last Friday, local authorities in the Grand Duchy’s capital launched the My Urban Piano project, where they installed 17 pianos in public spaces around the city. This, in perspective, is roughly 1 public piano per every 6,400 inhabitants, according to 2022 population data.
Local authorities introduced the public pianos on 3 June and they will be available around Luxembourg City until 19 June. They are placed on streets, in parks, in neighbourhoods and on tourist sites and are completely free to use, as authorities are aiming to make them a vital part of public spaces.
Apart from brightening up certain areas, according to a statement by the city, the pianos would also act as magnets for the public and trigger multiple synergies and interactions by people across social boundaries. This policy stands in stark contrast to the isolated reality of pandemic measures, which were in place just a couple of months ago.
Furthermore, everyone who uploads a video of a micro-concert on the pianos to social media, tagged with the keywords #luxembourgcity and #myurbanpiano2022, can win vouchers with a value of up to €500, €250 and €150.
This, on the other hand, frees up anyone who knows how to play to just come up to the instruments and start performing. On top of that, city officials have also included the pianos in Luxembourg’s cultural calendar, putting several open air concerts on the agenda.
During the launch of the initiative, local politicians attended a concert by Hermès Kieffer, a student in the local conservatory, who played classical pieces by Tchaikovsky and Haydn.
The pianos have a very distinct urban look as they were decorated by youth organisations, hostels, schools and city associations.
The goal is to preserve these traditional features in the urban landscape while finding new purpose for their existence
His name is Adrian-Dragoș Benea from Romania
Find out her vision for the next five years and what’s in store for the European Union
Gotland wants to be at the forefront of this emerging mobility technology
It’s all about preventing the habit of slowing down just for the radar
Landkreis Heilbronn will also enlist the help of sensors to identify incorrectly filled organic trash bins
Apparently, that makes it the most progressive city in that respect in all of Finland
Residents couldn’t handle the noise pollution anymore
The Old Continent gets ready for the largest festival of sports
Apparently, that makes it the most progressive city in that respect in all of Finland
The goal is to preserve these traditional features in the urban landscape while finding new purpose for their existence
Residents couldn’t handle the noise pollution anymore
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