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Development

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Netherlands / Amsterdam / Development

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

Jun 9, 2023 15:22
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Ireland / Development / Digital transformation

Get up to 84,000 euros to move to an Irish island

The government’s new Living Islands Policy wants to reinvigorate offshore communities

Jun 8, 2023 10:54

Economy and Finance

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Luxembourg / Economy and Finance / Innovation and Research

Luxembourg’s property prices are finally going down

Researchers say that, in turn, rents are going up

Jun 2, 2023 16:05
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Spain / Culture and Tourism / Economy and Finance

Spanish domestic flights tickets can be paid in up to 12 installments

Iberia will be the first company to introduce this option in the country

May 31, 2023 16:09

Politics and Reforms

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France / Culture and Tourism / Politics and Reforms

French influencers can end up in jail if they do this

The new advertising legislation is the first in Europe to define the role of these online celebrities

Jun 2, 2023 17:49
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Belgium / Brussels / Politics and Reforms / Public Spaces

Brussels has a 14-point action plan to decolonise public spaces

As Brussels is one of the most multicultural cities in the world, this is seen as a matter of ‘quality of life’

Jun 1, 2023 17:17

Innovation and Research

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Lithuania / Digital transformation / Innovation and Research

Lithuania to have a drone traffic management system next year

The Baltic country prepares to respond to rising air traffic and to futureproof the sector

Jun 6, 2023 15:50
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Bulgaria / Education and Sport / Innovation and Research

400 kids will get free IT training in Burgas this summer

The city hopes to help turn a new generation from tech consumers into tech producers

Jun 5, 2023 14:33

Digital transformation

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Ireland / Development / Digital transformation

Get up to 84,000 euros to move to an Irish island

The government’s new Living Islands Policy wants to reinvigorate offshore communities

Jun 8, 2023 10:54
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Austria / Salzburg / Digital transformation / Education and Sport

Salzburg’s new sports app makes it easy to go for a run

It will show all open-air sports facilities in the city, plus 12 running routes

Jun 7, 2023 13:09

Energy efficiency

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Croatia / Zagreb / Development / Energy efficiency

Zagreb will greenify 50 public buildings in one fell swoop

A new project calls for photovoltaics, charging stations and energy-efficiency renovations

Jun 6, 2023 10:48
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Luxembourg / Portugal / Energy efficiency / Politics and Reforms

Luxembourg and Portugal to develop a hydrogen corridor

Portugal is growing its renewable energy sector and will soon have a large hydrogen electrolyser in the port of Sines

May 31, 2023 11:00

Mobility

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Spain / Madrid / Mobility

Meet Horizonte - Madrid's bus of the future

Locally designed, a prototype will be created next year so that the residents of the city can have their say as well

Jun 8, 2023 18:04
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Spain / Mobility / Social City

European youth residing in Spain can ride national trains at half price

The special offer popularizing railway journeys among the 18-30 age group will be available until 15 September

Jun 8, 2023 16:16

Public Spaces

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Finland / Public Spaces

Finnish state to sell empty offices, as employees mostly work from home

Almost three-quarters of civil servants have decided that going to the office is a thing of the past

Jun 9, 2023 14:05
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Austria / Public Spaces / Welfare and Health

Therapy sessions in the park – a new summer offer in Graz

Psychoanalysis in the Park is aimed primarily at people who have never tried therapy before

Jun 5, 2023 16:33

Culture and Tourism

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Italy / Florence / Culture and Tourism / Social City

Florence says no to new Airbnbs in its centre

In fact, in the UNESCO-protected old town priority will be given to long-term tenants

Jun 8, 2023 13:08
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France / Culture and Tourism / Politics and Reforms

French influencers can end up in jail if they do this

The new advertising legislation is the first in Europe to define the role of these online celebrities

Jun 2, 2023 17:49

Education and Sport

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Austria / Salzburg / Digital transformation / Education and Sport

Salzburg’s new sports app makes it easy to go for a run

It will show all open-air sports facilities in the city, plus 12 running routes

Jun 7, 2023 13:09
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Bulgaria / Education and Sport / Innovation and Research

400 kids will get free IT training in Burgas this summer

The city hopes to help turn a new generation from tech consumers into tech producers

Jun 5, 2023 14:33

Welfare and Health

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Belgium / Brussels / Mobility / Welfare and Health

AR ambulance in Brussels allows doctors to 'see' through the eyes of paramedics

The camera and goggles system helps patients to receive emergency specialised care, while they are still en route to the hospital

Jun 7, 2023 15:51
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Austria / Public Spaces / Welfare and Health

Therapy sessions in the park – a new summer offer in Graz

Psychoanalysis in the Park is aimed primarily at people who have never tried therapy before

Jun 5, 2023 16:33
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Interviews / Read Twice

Maja Sever: Journalism is a pillar of democracy

Apr 10, 2023 13:46
Magdalena Magdić
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Interviews

Kaisa Karjalainen: “It’s better to be an imperfect zero waster for the rest of our lives than a perfect one for two weeks”

Mar 14, 2023 12:56
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Romania / Cluj-Napoca / Digital transformation / Interviews / Politics and Reforms

Online public services as efficient as TikTok: Cluj-Napoca’s Digital Transformation

Feb 16, 2023 13:51
Denis Balgaranov
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Bulgaria / Interviews / Read Twice

Veni Markovski: It's about time the media stopped inviting “experts” who spread false info

Nov 28, 2022 11:30
Denis Balgaranov
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Netherlands / Utrecht / Green City / Interviews

Sharon Dijksma: Without cities, it will be impossible to tackle global warming

Nov 21, 2022 13:41
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Interviews / Politics and Reforms

Vasco Cordeiro: The European project is at stake when solidarity is at stake

Aug 1, 2022 11:34
Denis Balgaranov
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Interviews

Cities Mission has made citizen engagement and participatory processes an important part of its functioning

Jul 14, 2022 14:57
ICLEI Europe
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Portugal / Matosinhos / Interviews

Luisa Salgueiro: Climate resilience work is never completed, it’s a continuously upgraded project

Jun 23, 2022 12:41
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Interviews

EBRD's aim is to support increased climate ambition within cities

May 18, 2022 13:33
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Greece / Athens / Interviews / Welfare and Health

Melina Daskalaki: Our mission is to promote the social reintegration of homeless individuals

May 16, 2022 11:04
Svilena Iotkovska

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Belgium
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Leuven

Leuven
Mohamed Ridouani
Mayor

Mohamed Ridouani

Biography
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The city of Leuven was first mentioned in historical records at the end of 9th century, when the Vikings settled around an ancient fortification on the Dijle river -"Luvanium" in Latin. Later, the settlement became residence to the Counts of Leuven who were given the right to rule over the middle part of the contemporary Belgian territory in 1190. From then on, Leuven became a major administrative and commercial centre, with the textile trade standing at the heart of the wealth and prosperity of the city. 

However, this all was to change in the fourteenth century when the cloth trade lost its importance and Brussels took over Leuven's title as 'capital of the Duchy of Brabant'. Fortunately the following foundation of the University of Leuven in 1425 changed allowed to re-establish the fame of the city and which was further enhanced by the foundation on the outskirts of the city of a brewery which produces Stella Artois (Visit Flanders).

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Belgium / Leuven / Digital transformation / Welfare and Health

Leuven tries to tackle party noise with smart tech

City officials found that simple messages about respecting residents’ sleep were most effective if coupled with the right presentation

Mar 24, 2023 13:29
Denis Balgaranov
  • en
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Belgium / Leuven / Education and Sport / Social City

Leuven to fight discrimination with role-playing games

The city has developed its own way to teach young people how to react when they witness unjust treatments

Mar 21, 2023 17:24
Denis Balgaranov
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Belgium / Leuven / Education and Sport / Innovation and Research

Leuven funds new ideas for fast learning kids in schools

According to the city, the normal curriculum could be boring or even stressful for cognitively gifted kids

Dec 30, 2022 14:32
Denis Balgaranov
  • en
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Belgium / Leuven / Green City / Politics and Reforms

Leuven to subsidise trees and rain barrels in private yard gardens

People can receive around 100 euros for a 200-litre container that catches rainwater

Dec 28, 2022 10:00
Denis Balgaranov
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Belgium / Leuven / Culture and Tourism / Digital transformation

Digital tools help Leuven open up tourism to the deaf

The city will launch an urban walk with a digital visual guide

Dec 02, 2022 16:49
Denis Balgaranov
  • en
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Belgium / Leuven / Politics and Reforms / Social City

Up to 3,750 euros tax per year for vacant homes in Leuven

Currently, there are about 1,000 of these in the Belgian city

Nov 22, 2022 17:39
Denis Balgaranov
  • en
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Belgium / Leuven / Social City

Learning about death: Leuven organises cemetery walk for children

Adults often have a hard time approaching the subject with kids, so city authorities want to help them set the stage for that healthy talk

Nov 01, 2022 17:31
Denis Balgaranov
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Belgium / Leuven / Development / Public Spaces

Gallery: Leuven wants to redevelop the old Town Hall as a barrier-free space

The building is one of the architectural points of pride in the Belgian city

Sep 29, 2022 17:10
Denis Balgaranov
  • en
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Belgium / Brussels / Leuven / Culture and Tourism

There is a 700-year-old feud between Brussels and Leuven and it’s about a tree

The ancient dispute is recognised by UNESCO as part of the region’s heritage

Aug 09, 2022 13:51
Denis Balgaranov
  • en
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Belgium / Leuven / Green City

Leuven wants to protect hedgehogs from robotic lawnmowers

According to local research, the hedgehog population had been halved between 2008 and 2018

Aug 03, 2022 15:39
Denis Balgaranov
  • en
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Belgium / Leuven / Culture and Tourism

Let my people party on!: Leuven authorities to create a city nightclub

After more than 10 years, the city will get a new nightlife venue, but it will be created through an urban plan for local youth

Jul 15, 2022 16:56
Denis Balgaranov
  • en
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Belgium / Leuven / Culture and Tourism / Education and Sport

Leuven creates first museum for and by children

The Belgian city wants to encourage kids’ creativity and active participation

Jul 01, 2022 14:49
Aseniya Dimitrova
  • en
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Belgium / Leuven / Energy efficiency / Mobility

This Belgian solar car broke the world record for most kilometres driven in 12 hours

Solar racing is a bizarre field of competing university teams, which can give us a glimpse into the possible and exciting future of zero-emissions mobility

Jun 13, 2022 13:12
Denis Balgaranov
  • en
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Belgium / Leuven / Welfare and Health

Leuven wants to ban smoking and e-cigarettes on 100 playgrounds

Local authorities explained that his policy hopes to sensitize people to not smoke in front of children and thus break the cycle of passing on the habit

May 18, 2022 16:23
Denis Balgaranov
  • en
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Belgium / Leuven / Mobility / Smart City

Pedestrians first: Leuven launches mobility plan for Kessel-Lo

The plan will focus on deprioritising cars in traffic while boosting low-speed zones and more cycling options

Apr 26, 2022 09:30
Denis Balgaranov
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Belgium / Leuven / Development / Green City

Leuven presents plan for a circular construction sector

Local authorities want to work with private businesses and encourage the use of recyclable raw materials in building projects as a way to decarbonise the sector

Apr 07, 2022 16:52
Denis Balgaranov
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Belgium / Leuven / Development / Green City

The Urban Lab in Leuven will be driving force behind the city’s sustainability transition

The initiative will foster a tight-knit community between academia, government and private actors to pool the city’s resources

Mar 24, 2022 16:44
Denis Balgaranov
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Belgium / Leuven / Green City

Leuven launches campaign to save amphibians waking up after their winter sleep

When the animals wake up from winter hibernation, they head to the nearest water basin and, unfortunately, many of them have to cross busy roads

Feb 24, 2022 15:39
Denis Balgaranov
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Belgium / Leuven / Growing City / Mobility

Nine cities and municipalities in Flanders nominated for Cycling City 2022

The awards are supposed to boost the appeal of cycling infrastructure as a point of prestige for cities

Feb 14, 2022 14:26
Denis Balgaranov
  • en
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Belgium / Leuven / Growing City / Public Spaces

Leuven transforming ex-industrial site into a green oasis

The city plans to build an outdoor swimming pond on the canal between Leuven and Mechelen

Feb 09, 2022 16:56
Denis Balgaranov
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Belgium / Leuven / Culture and Tourism / Public Spaces

Leuven offers parents and kids a Christmas city-wide detective scavenger hunt

Despite pandemic measures, the well-being of kids and the opportunities for fun in the holiday season are a priority

Dec 22, 2021 14:25
Denis Balgaranov
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Belgium / Leuven / Politics and Reforms / Social City

Leuven backs a Flemish civil organisation fighting for decent housing

Despite recent policy updates, city officials think there is a lot more to be done

Dec 02, 2021 13:11
Denis Balgaranov
  • en
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Belgium / Leuven / Green City / Mobility

Leuven is tackling door-to-door delivery emissions with automated parcel lockers

The new infrastructure should mesh well with the city’s plan to decarbonise the postal services by next year

Nov 10, 2021 15:54
Denis Balgaranov
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Belgium / Leuven / Social City

Leuven celebrates citizens standing up for their neighbourhoods

The city has been supporting citizens' initiatives, which beautify neighbourhoods with community gardens or street libraries

Nov 02, 2021 15:17
Denis Balgaranov
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Belgium / Estonia / Elva / Leuven / Education and Sport

Leuven and Elva named Best European City and Town for Sports in 2021

After years of work, both local governments can rejoice at their newfound notoriety as sports hotspots in Europe

Oct 15, 2021 16:04
Denis Balgaranov
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Belgium / Leuven / Smart City / Social City

Queer Leuven – a new platform aiming to democratise rainbow policy

The Belgian city of Leuven wants to empower the community by giving it an active role in shaping future LGBT+ policy

Oct 04, 2021 11:45
Denis Balgaranov
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Belgium / Leuven / Ypres / Politics and Reforms

Belgian ‘Mayors for Peace’ stand up for nuclear disarmament

The green and white flag will fly over more than 100 cities in Belgium with mayors appealing for world peace

Aug 06, 2021 14:06
Denis Balgaranov
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Belgium / Leuven / Culture and Tourism / Public Spaces

The open-air library of Leuven is almost here

The residents in Heverlee will have a quaint place to read in the park

Jul 27, 2021 13:38
Denis Balgaranov
  • en
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Belgium / Leuven / Development / Smart City

Leuven is experimenting with smart trash bins

Despite being emptied several times a day, some bins attract excessive amounts of waste

Jul 15, 2021 16:11
Denis Balgaranov
  • en
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Belgium / France / Netherlands / United Kingdom / Leuven / London / Paris / Development / Welfare and Health

2021 Global Mayors Challenge: Which are the 50 Champion Cities?

Bloomberg Philanthropies announced the cities that will continue in the competition

Jun 15, 2021 17:40
Svilena Iotkovska

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