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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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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Croatia
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Pregrada

Pregrada
Marko Vešligaj
Mayor

Marko Vešligaj

Biography
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The name of Pregrada was mentioned for the first time in 1334 in the list of parishes of the Archdeacon Ivan Goricki.   

The patronage of the church was vested in the lords of Kostelgrad - the Keglevic family to whom Pregrada belonged until the end of the XIX century. The construction of Kostelgrad began around 1242, and due to the Tatar invasion, the population fled to the mountainous areas where they could shelter. 

The location of Kostelgrad made it possible to control the road that followed the course of Kostelina. In 1548 the settlement was first mentioned as Purga sub castro Kozthel. At the end of the XVI century, the Keglevići built the Gorica Castle, and later the Dubrava Castle.

The Kostel fortress was gradually abandoned during the XVII century and completely abandoned in the XVIII century. 

The fundamental problems of the suburban area in the XIX century were overpopulation, lack of land and employment opportunities. At the time of the revolutions of 1848-49, there was unrest in Pregrada. The feudal system was abolished in 1848.

In the late XIX and early XX centuries, Pregrada was home to the first chemical-pharmaceutical company in Southeast Europe founded by Adolf Alfons Thierry.  Thanks to him and his company Pregrada had its first telephone installed in 1903. 

At that time there was a coal mine in what used to be a partition mine.  In 1953 the plant was strengthened, and it became an independent working organization known as Coal Mines. In 1975, however, the mine was closed.  

The Zagorje region was a strategically important area during World War II, as it was located between Germany, Hungary and Zagreb. After the capitulation of Yugoslavia, the Germans annexed part of the former district of Pregrada to the Third Reich. 

This was done because the glass factory Guardswhich was located in Hum na Sutli, but also because of a more geographically convenient placement of the border. That part of the territory remained under German rule for only a few months, and was then returned to the Independent State of Croatia.

The importance of the territory for the Independent State of Croatia led to the constant presence of military units, so the Ustaša soldiers (Croatian Revolutionary Movement) had units in Pregrada, Bezenac, Hum and Vinagora. The Ustaša also wanted to prevent the influence of the Liberation Movement in Zagorje. Very soon after the establishment of the Ustaša regime in the Zagorje region, the first groups began to express their dissatisfaction with the new situation. 

In October 1943 the second Zagorje detachment was established (after the failure of 1942) and later the partisans from the surrounding counties gathered in the Upper Tribe where they held a large national assembly. The end of the war brought a significant political as well as economic changes in the Zagorje region. 

In 1955, the municipality of Pregrada was established. It existed until 1962 when it was annexed to the municipality of Krapina. This fellowship lasted until 1978 when the Parliament of the Socialist Republic of Croatia re-formed the municipality of Pregrada, which included the areas of the local communities of Desinić, Hum na Sutli, Pregrada and Vinagor.

In the late XIX and early XX century, Pregrada was a district capital in the Varaždin County of the Kingdom of Croatia-Slavonia.

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Pregrada / Interviews

European projects are crucial for development of municipalities with low budget revenues

Interview with Marko Vešligaj, Mayor of Pregrada in Croatia

Aug 28, 2018 09:18
Monika Dimitrova

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