All future residential buildings in Montpellier must feature works of art
And the value of the artworks can’t be lower than 1% of the price paid for the land lot
This could make the city more resilient to adverse climate change
All future buildings in Amsterdam, as well as those undergoing major renovations, might be required to collect and reuse rainwater or discharge it with delays. These new rules are set out in a municipal ordinance, which is yet to be agreed upon by the city council later this month. The changes should make the city more climate-proof by preventing flooding of streets and drought during heat waves.
Next week, on 14 April, a committee with the City Council of Amsterdam will discuss the ordinance on rainwater, requiring all new buildings to have rainwater retention systems. This might ultimately prevent homes from suffering water damage and streets from becoming flooded.
According to the city authorities, sewers are unable to collect the entire amount of water coming from a downpour. Furthermore, it would be better that all the moisture did not end up in the sewers but rather in the ground, for example. This way, the collected water might be used in periods of heat and drought.
There are various ways to collect water, including infiltration crates, where the liquid is collected in a box and is gradually sunk by the ground. Gardens, including roofs terraces, are also an alternative. Some systems even allow for the rainwater to be used for the toilet or washing machine.
The idea of water storage, as the city website points out, is already included in the plans of many new buildings. Furthermore, the water boards (district authorities, charged with regional water management, including flood defence systems) already had rules for buildings larger than 1,000 m².
Now, this might be extended to the entire capital of the Netherlands and apply for future buildings and those that undergo transformations, such as adding up new floors or changes from office to residential status.
After a committee discussion on the matter next week, the city council shall make a decision on the ordinance on 21 April.
The price of monthly passes, however, will remain the same so that regular commuters won’t have to worry
The design of the new bills will be chosen in 2026
Linköping (Sweden) wins in the European Rising Innovative City category
Identification in the Grand Duchy is about to go digital
Nijlen wants to be known as a bee-friendly town, which transforms words into actions
It will cost 39, instead of the regular 49 euros, in a bid to make public transit even more accessible
The Spanish island town gets high marks for creating an urban environment fully inclusive of people with disabilities
It will cost 39, instead of the regular 49 euros, in a bid to make public transit even more accessible
The Spanish island town gets high marks for creating an urban environment fully inclusive of people with disabilities
The Dutch capital is vigorously trying to remake its image and reputation and put forward what makes it a breathing livable city
Apply by 10 November and do your part for the transformation of European public spaces
This one could be a real game-changer for our built environments and the way they look
The practical art objects are competing for one of the 2023 New European Bauhaus Prizes
An interview with a member of the No Hate Speech Network team
A talk with the first man to circumnavigate the globe with a solar plane, on whether sustainability can also be profitable
An interview with the president of the European Federation of Journalists