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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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Finland
Vantaa  image

Vantaa

Vantaa
Ritva Viljanen
Mayor

Ritva Viljanen

Biography
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Vantaa has a rich history that dates back to the Stone Age. Before Swedish colonisation of the area and after the so-called second crusade to Finland in the 13th century, the area was inhabited by Tavastians and Finns proper.

Prior to the name Vantaa being taken into use in 1974, the area was known as Helsingin Pitäjä. The earliest record of the area is as Helsinge in 1351 when king Magnus II of Sweden granted salmon fishing rights on the river Vantaa to the Estonian Padise monastery. The rapids of river Vantaa were known as Helsingfors, from which the current Swedish name of Helsinki derives. Early settlement in Vantaa was centered around the river, and from it the city's current coat of arms derived its imagery. 

Since the 14th century, the road between Turku and Vyborg, King`s Road, has run through Vantaa. The road brought significant attention to the city, and its location on the salmon rich river led to a permanent population.

In 1862, the railway between Helsinki and Hameelinna was constructed, and one of its 7 stations was built in Tikkurila, on its intersection with King's Road. The Swedish architect Carl Albert Edelfelt designed a Renaissance styled station building, which is the oldest extant station building in Finland and (as of 1978) has been adapted into the Vantaa City Museum. The railway brought industry and induced population growth.

Helsingin Pitäjä gained municipality rights in 1865, after which it was named Helsingin maalaiskunta ("Rural Municipality of Helsinki").

In 1952, the new international airport of Helsinki opened in Vantaa for the 1952 Summer Olympics.

In 1972, the municipality was renamed Vantaa. In 1974, the town got full city rights as Vantaan kaupunki/Vanda stad or "City of Vantaa".

The city grew rapidly starting from 1960's and a railway line was built to the western side of the city in 1970's.

In 2015, an extension to the existing railway line, the Ring Rail Line opened, providing service to the airport and new residential and working districts.

Source: Wikipedia

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Finland / Vantaa / Politics and Reforms

Vantaa incites residents to vote with AI-generated images

The city would like to see more of its inhabitants participate in the upcoming Finnish parliamentary elections, so it’s resorted to some contemporary creativity

Mar 17, 2023 17:15
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
  • en
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Finland / Vantaa / Education and Sport / Public Spaces

This Finnish city will allow burkini in the public pools

Vantaa has also given the green light to swimming shorts, so the wardrobe options to pool users have definitely expanded a great deal

Dec 13, 2022 17:54
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
  • en
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Belgium / Croatia / Finland / Italy / Poland / Antwerp / Vantaa / Warsaw / Zagreb / Development / Social City

Antwerp, Pesaro, Vantaa, Warsaw and Zagreb pledge to create inclusive cities for refugees and migrants

The Integrating Cities Charter now has 46 signatories

Nov 17, 2022 13:17
  • en
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Finland / Vantaa / Green City / Innovation and Research

Finnish air-fed protein could solve world hunger

The invention promises to be revolutionary as it can decouple food production from agriculture and its environmental impacts

Jun 27, 2022 15:50
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Finland / Espoo / Helsinki / Vantaa / Education and Sport

Helsinki Metropolitan Area offers residents 125 guided tours in nature

Excursions will be free of charge

Apr 26, 2022 14:36
Svilena Iotkovska
  • en
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Finland / Vantaa / Innovation and Research

Vantaa Innovation Competition: Applications open on 14 April

The Finnish city will allocate EUR 300,000 for the realisation of the best ideas

Apr 13, 2022 11:53
Svilena Iotkovska
  • en
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Finland / Espoo / Helsinki / Pirkkala / Tampere / Vantaa / Welfare and Health

Which are Finland’s most vibrant cities?

Ramboll conducted a study based on the 15-minute cities concept and its LIVCY index

Oct 04, 2021 17:01
Svilena Iotkovska
  • en
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Belgium / Finland / Germany / Ireland / Lithuania / Netherlands / Portugal / Spain / Braga / Brussels / Dublin / Vantaa / Vilnius / Innovation and Research

European Capital of Innovation Awards 2021 semi-finalists announced

16 cities from 10 countries have made it to the semi-final stage

Sep 02, 2021 16:26
Svilena Iotkovska
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Finland / Vantaa / Culture and Tourism

Vantaa invites residents to participate in a photography competition

The Vantaa Museum Photo Marathon will take place on 11 September as part of the European Heritage Days

Aug 26, 2021 17:04
Svilena Iotkovska
  • en
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Finland / Vantaa / Digital transformation / Education and Sport

Vantaa modernises its early childhood education services

Intelligent automation will help pinpoint the best pre-schools and kindergartens for each child

Aug 10, 2021 13:08
Svilena Iotkovska
  • en
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Finland / Vantaa / Development

Vantaa will revitalise its city centre with a modern building

The future establishment will offer retail space, cultural facilities, offices, and apartments

May 19, 2021 11:00
Svilena Iotkovska
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Finland / Vantaa / Welfare and Health

Vantaa will invest 1 million euros to help unemployed youth

COVID-19 has doubled the number of young, unemployed people

Apr 12, 2021 13:28
Svilena Iotkovska
  • en
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Finland / Vantaa / Development / Welfare and Health

The City of Vantaa to begin Child Friendly Cities work

As of this year, Vantaa will begin implementing UNICEF’s Child Friendly Cities model to guarantee the fulfillment of children’s rights.

Feb 23, 2021 11:23
Svilena Iotkovska
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Finland / Espoo / Helsinki / Vantaa / Culture and Tourism / Green City

Helsinki’s libraries ditch plastic book covers

Instead, bio coating will be used in Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa and Kauniainen

Feb 12, 2021 16:10
Aseniya Dimitrova
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Espoo / Helsinki / Tampere / Turku / Vantaa / Energy efficiency

Multicity project offers environmental solutions to Finland’s urban areas

A landmark initiative involving 6 cities has allowed them to find new ways to further combat climate change on their premises

Dec 27, 2020 15:09
Anton Stoyanov
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Espoo / Helsinki / Tampere / Turku / Vantaa / Mobility

Finnish cities band together for massive railway projects

The plans for these projects were approved by the Finnish government earlier this year but work is now set to finally begin

Dec 09, 2020 11:48
Anton Stoyanov
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Espoo / Helsinki / Vantaa / Welfare and Health

Finnish cities launch campaign to encourage mask wearing

The campaign is specifically aimed at the country’s youth

Nov 19, 2020 10:43
Anton Stoyanov
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Vantaa / Energy efficiency

Vantaa is committed to becoming a carbon neutral city by 2030

Mayor Ritva Viljanen focuses on the major goal of the upcoming EU programme period

Oct 22, 2020 10:59
Monika Dimitrova
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Espoo / Helsinki / Vantaa / Welfare and Health

Espoo to offer municipal employment trials with the cities of Helsinki and Vantaa

The social initiative will start in spring 2020

Nov 14, 2019 10:15
Monika Dimitrova
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Vantaa / Welfare and Health

Vantaa Municipality offers free park lunch for children

This summertime good practice will cost around 25,000 euros

Jun 19, 2019 08:49
Monika Dimitrova
  • en
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Espoo / Helsinki / Tampere / Vantaa / Development

Six Finnish Smart Cities work together

They are building a model for sustainable urban development

Apr 05, 2019 12:17
Monika Dimitrova
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Espoo / Helsinki / Vantaa / Mobility

Espoo and Helsinki have launched the shared-use bicycle season

Vantaa and Oulu launch in June

Apr 03, 2019 13:26
Monika Dimitrova
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Espoo / Helsinki / Vantaa / Mobility

The first self-driving bus for all weather conditions will go through the streets of Espoo in April

It will begin operating in Hämeenlinna, Vantaa and Helsinki later in 2019

Mar 12, 2019 11:57
Monika Dimitrova
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Vantaa / Mobility

The city of Vantaa is rolling out 1000 shared city bikes next year

Shared city bikes are increasing across Finland

Dec 14, 2018 14:26
Monika Dimitrova

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