Fighting rush hours: education establishments in Amsterdam will have different class timetables
The local authorities have reached and agreement that is expected to reduce crowding on roads and public transport
Fans of the Portuguese national team are best advised to head to the nearest sports pub, Source: Depositphotos
Not only that, but the measures would also save energy during the start of a winter of austerity
Earlier, we reported that some French cities had decided not to broadcast the 2022 World Cup football games in public areas as a form of protest against the human rights abuses incurred during the organization of the global sports tournament in Qatar. Now, local media have reported that many Portuguese municipalities have also decided to follow suit, however, their cited reason has nothing to do with politics, and all to do with pragmatism.
The local governments have simply realized that it would be easier on their budgets if they skipped the giant screens during this year’s tournament, because of the falling temperatures and the need to provide heating. At a time when authorities in most European countries are scratching their heads on ways to decrease energy consumption, it only seems logical that fan zones might seem like an unnecessary, and unsustainable, luxury. At least, until the football tournaments return to the summer season.
Indeed, it’s an unusual time for the FIFA World Cup to be taking place, right when European cities are preparing their Christmas markets and setting up their decorated fir trees.
The mayor of Braga, Ricardo Rio, for example, told ECO that “although the municipality repudiates the lack of respect for human rights in Qatar, that is not what determines this option for not organizing the Fan Zone”. “A World Cup that takes place in the middle of winter would require a significant investment on the part of the municipality in logistics,” explained the mayor.
Likewise, Portugal’s two main cities – Lisbon and Porto – have also decided to ditch the giant screens. Although, their mayors expressed skepticism about the choice of Qatar, ultimately, they said it had to do with the need to cut down on unnecessary costs for logistics.
The Municipalities of Albufeira and Matosinhos also joined the group of frugal governments in the Iberian country. Reportedly, the Albufeira city council was confident that the local catering establishments would be better places for the people who want to watch the games in a social setting.
The local authorities have reached and agreement that is expected to reduce crowding on roads and public transport
The government’s new Living Islands Policy wants to reinvigorate offshore communities
The five islands have a combined area of more than 700 square metres
The government’s new Living Islands Policy wants to reinvigorate offshore communities
It will show all open-air sports facilities in the city, plus 12 running routes
The Baltic country prepares to respond to rising air traffic and to futureproof the sector
Almost three-quarters of civil servants have decided that going to the office is a thing of the past
Locally designed, a prototype will be created next year so that the residents of the city can have their say as well
The special offer popularizing railway journeys among the 18-30 age group will be available until 15 September
The special offer popularizing railway journeys among the 18-30 age group will be available until 15 September
In fact, in the UNESCO-protected old town priority will be given to long-term tenants
The camera and goggles system helps patients to receive emergency specialised care, while they are still en route to the hospital
The practical art objects are competing for one of the 2023 New European Bauhaus Prizes
Cast your vote before 24 May and do your part in promoting the NEB values
The new itineraries are part of the DiscoverEU programme, which lets 18-year-olds travel by train between important European sites
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
A talk with the head of Mission Zero Academy on the benefits for municipalities if they go the zero waste way