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Development

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Greece / Thessaloniki / Development / Mobility

Thessaloniki gets ready for its metro launch in November

The underground rapid transit lines have been under construction for almost two decades due to various project delays

Sep 30, 2024 13:49
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Spain / Barcelona / Culture and Tourism / Development

These elements will crown the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona for the highest viewpoint in the city

The cross pinnacle on the Tower of Jesus Christ will be ready to receive visitors in 2026 on the centennial of Gaudi’s death

Sep 20, 2024 17:36

Economy and Finance

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France / Digital transformation / Economy and Finance

Shops in this Bordeaux suburb accept cryptocurrency as payment

Now you can get your wine in Talence by paying directly in Bitcoin

Sep 24, 2024 16:47
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Germany / Economy and Finance / Mobility

Next year, Germany's Deutschlandticket will cost 58 euros

That’s because the state has to spend money on updating the railway infrastructure rather than subsidizing the cost of the popular pass

Sep 24, 2024 13:27

Politics and Reforms

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Germany / Politics and Reforms

Voters in a Bavarian town elected a mayor whose name wasn’t on the ballot

Steffen Romstöck said that he would respect the residents’ choice and would take over the helm of the municipality, even if he didn’t run

Sep 18, 2024 13:50
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Greece / Athens / Culture and Tourism / Politics and Reforms

Athens to ban new short-term lets

The measure, which will come into force from 1 January 2025, will be partial and temporary…for now

Sep 17, 2024 16:22

Innovation and Research

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Belgium / Brussels / Energy efficiency / Innovation and Research

Brussels tries out a novel rooftop wind turbine suitable for cities

Rethinking renewable energy sources for the urban landscape

Sep 27, 2024 12:52
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Finland / Innovation and Research

AI-powered drones in Finland could patrol the skies in search of wildfires

But operating them is still illegal under the country’s legislation

Sep 20, 2024 16:33

Digital transformation

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Digital transformation / Energy efficiency

New digital map showcases creative energy solutions across Europe

The examples, compiled by Beyond Fossil Fuels, can inform and inspire communities and entrepreneurs that still feel trepidation at the prospect of energy transition

Sep 26, 2024 14:09
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France / Digital transformation / Economy and Finance

Shops in this Bordeaux suburb accept cryptocurrency as payment

Now you can get your wine in Talence by paying directly in Bitcoin

Sep 24, 2024 16:47

Energy efficiency

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Belgium / Brussels / Energy efficiency / Innovation and Research

Brussels tries out a novel rooftop wind turbine suitable for cities

Rethinking renewable energy sources for the urban landscape

Sep 27, 2024 12:52
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Digital transformation / Energy efficiency

New digital map showcases creative energy solutions across Europe

The examples, compiled by Beyond Fossil Fuels, can inform and inspire communities and entrepreneurs that still feel trepidation at the prospect of energy transition

Sep 26, 2024 14:09

Mobility

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Greece / Thessaloniki / Development / Mobility

Thessaloniki gets ready for its metro launch in November

The underground rapid transit lines have been under construction for almost two decades due to various project delays

Sep 30, 2024 13:49
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Germany / Mobility

Mannheim debuts longest tram in the world

Plus, it has a unique modular design that allows it to be shortened and lengthened like a train

Sep 27, 2024 17:03

Public Spaces

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France / Paris / Culture and Tourism / Public Spaces

The Olympic Rings have left the Eiffel Tower, but they’ll be back

At least, that’s the promise made by the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo

Sep 30, 2024 17:57
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France / Culture and Tourism / Public Spaces

Marseille is home to this year's coolest neighbourhood in the world

Despite its church-y name, the district has long been known as the hangout spot for the artsy crowds

Sep 26, 2024 17:37

Culture and Tourism

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France / Paris / Culture and Tourism / Public Spaces

The Olympic Rings have left the Eiffel Tower, but they’ll be back

At least, that’s the promise made by the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo

Sep 30, 2024 17:57
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Spain / Culture and Tourism

Oldest inn in Catalonia marked 500 years of non-stop business

Hostal de Pinós is located in the geographical centre of the autonomous region

Sep 30, 2024 16:57

Education and Sport

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Budapest / Prague / Education and Sport / Social City

Here are Europe’s 5 best student cities

On the eve of the new academic year, the ranking considers several distinct but essential factors

Sep 19, 2024 17:47
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Education and Sport

Kicking for the Future: How Football Clubs are Creating Sustainable Urban Spaces

Sep 19, 2024 10:06

Welfare and Health

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Belgium / Mobility / Welfare and Health

Shhh!: Belgian railways introduce silent compartments on board

Following a successful trial phase, these quiet areas will now be available on all main routes in the country

Sep 24, 2024 18:04
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France / Education and Sport / Welfare and Health

Check out these sleeping pods at the University of Lille library

The academic institution shows a deeper understanding of the well-being of its students

Sep 12, 2024 16:24
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Poland / Interviews

Hanna Zdanowska: We are one of the leaders in eco-transition and Łódź is much greener than before

Jul 24, 2024 14:48
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Interviews

Katrin Stjernfeldt Jammeh: True urban development must be inclusive and affordable, otherwise it’s not sustainable

Jun 27, 2024 12:45
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Portugal / Lisbon / Interviews

Carlos Moedas: Our ambition is to become a city where entrepreneurs can come to scale their businesses

Jun 20, 2024 13:25
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Spain / Interviews / Mayor of Europe

María José Catalá: the Green Capital mindset is transversal to all action levels and will continue in the years to come

Jun 5, 2024 15:41
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Estonia / Tartu / Interviews

Urmas Klaas: Arts can and must give people the ability and courage to dream of a future

Mar 6, 2024 12:18
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Interviews

Wolfgang Teubner: Тhe path towards the end of fossil fuels is irreversible

Dec 21, 2023 11:03
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Interviews / Read Twice

Ibrahim Kraria: While AI can play a role in combating hate speech, it can also amplify its spread

Aug 16, 2023 17:08
Mihaela Roxana GODINAC
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Interviews

Bertrand Piccard: If something looks impossible, that’s why we try do to it!

Jun 9, 2023 15:40
Denis Balgaranov
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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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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 / Education and Sport

Leuven school makes Arabic a compulsory part of its curriculum

The reasons behind this move are varying

Aug 29, 2024 16:48
TheMayor.EU
  • en
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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
  • en
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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
  • en
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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
  • en
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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
  • en
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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
  • en
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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
  • en
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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
  • en
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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
  • en
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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
  • en
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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
  • en
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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
  • en
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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
  • en
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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
  • en
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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

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