Amsterdam bans creation of new hotels
Another piece in the overall strategy to reduce tourist flows to the city
The two-part study also found out that the pandemic made live contacts with friends particularly important for kids between 16 and 18
Today, city authorities in Kortrijk, Belgium, published a study into the mental health of school children of all ages. The report is a follow-up of a similar initiative from November 2020, when city officials decided to assess the impact of Covid-measures on the mental health of kids.
The survey was conducted by the City of Kortrijk in collaboration with all its local schools. A total of 1,362 people took part, including 1,222 students, accounting for 90% of the respondents. 123 teachers also participated.
According to the report’s findings, the pandemic impacted the mental health of those over 12 most severely, with kids between 16 and 18 possibly experiencing long-term effects.
The city commissioned the survey to gather data on the complex topic of mental health with the aim to try and implement a more efficient policy, taking the issue into account. Both reports can help policymakers focus their attention and identify weak points and great ideas.
The first study in November was carried out during the first major peak in infections and measures in 2020, while the second one happened in October 2021, during a relatively loose period, where schools in the country had in-person class attendance. This has led to results showing an overall improvement in students’ mental health conditions.
In 2020, 49.1% of respondents said they were feeling less well and 12.4% said they were feeling really not well. For comparison, in 2021, 78% of students said they were feeling better or as good as last year.
One of the big changes is with children over 12 years, with 41% of them saying they felt better than in 2020. With those under 12, the situation is a bit different, as just 28% said they felt better and 48% said that they felt just as good. At the same time, in the recent study, a quarter said they felt less well or really not okay.
Another interesting point is the concept of ‘being yourself’ in school. Researchers found that out of all the students who said they felt better than last year, 43% also said they can be themselves in school. On the other hand, among those who felt less well than last year, only 23% said they can be themselves.
The situation with 16 to 18-year-olds is a bit different. While their well-being rates are not particularly different from those over 12, they show some considerable shifts in behaviour. According to researchers, despite an overall high usage of social media, there is a pronounced dip in 16 to 18-year-olds activity on the internet and a clear and strong emphasis on live contacts.
Of the people who said they have good contacts with their friends, half said that since the pandemic began, they met more often in real life. A further 36% say they attributed greater importance to live contacts. At the same time, people who found their contacts with friends less satisfying than before also reported increased use of social media.
The building will then serve as the site for a new museum dedicated to Finnish-Russian relations
Another piece in the overall strategy to reduce tourist flows to the city
The previous mayor was forced out of office following a no-confidence vote in the city council
In addition, the federal government has launched the National Week of Action against Bicycle Theft to raise awareness of the issue and the new solution
The facility will replace the need to have water supplied by tankers from Valencia
Modern traffic lights do more than regulate the flow of vehicles at crossroads, they also collect enormous amounts of data
It also set the standards for a better European parking card for people with disabilities
Everyone’s invited free of charge, but only after registration
Italian cities and regions continue experimenting with creative proposals to curb overtourism effects
It also set the standards for a better European parking card for people with disabilities
Italian cities and regions continue experimenting with creative proposals to curb overtourism effects
The building will then serve as the site for a new museum dedicated to Finnish-Russian relations
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
Catch up with some recommendations for the 2024 European Capital of Culture programme from the mayor of Tartu
An interview with the ICLEI regional director for Europe аfter the close of COP28
An interview with a member of the No Hate Speech Network team