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Partners

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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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Latvia
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Riga

Riga
Mārtiņš Staķis
Mayor

Mārtiņš Staķis

Biography
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Thanks to its strategic location, Riga has always been an important trading hub, especially with partners such as Scandinavia and other northern European countries - it even served as a connection to Byzantium. As a Viking center for trade with other nations, the main exports of the settlement were fish, other animal products and works of bone and wood. Christianity played a pivotal role in the development of the city. Although the religion arrived sometime in the 9th century, it wasn't until the incursion of the crusaders when locals were forced to adopt Europe's mainstream religion. In the 13th century Riga had a short-lived tenure as member of the Hanseatic League but fell victim to the territorial ambitions of large empires in northern and eastern Europe. The city changed hands regularly as it was a coveted prize due to its economic power and strategic location. In different periods of its history, Riga has been a part of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, the Swedish Empire, the German Empire, the Russian Empire and the USSR. The city was proclaimed capital of the newly independent country of Latvia in 1991, after freeing itself from the Soviet Union. 

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Latvia / Riga / Digital transformation / Energy efficiency

Riga residents can check the energy efficiency of their building thanks to a heat map

The online tool can come in handy when having to make decisions regarding possible improvements at home

Jul 12, 2024 17:35
TheMayor.EU
  • en
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Latvia / Riga / Mobility

Riga induces drivers to take public transport with ‘snow tickets’

These allow car owners to ride for free when heavy winter conditions make driving unsafe

Apr 23, 2024 12:29
TheMayor.EU
  • en
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Latvia / Riga / Mobility

Riga asks Latvian parliament to grant cities more control over e-scooters

It’s the latest European capital that wants to do something about the rampant and chaotic use of the two-wheelers in its public spaces

Feb 03, 2023 17:48
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
  • en
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Latvia / Riga / Digital transformation / Education and Sport

Riga uses Minecraft to involve young people in urban planning

The videogame makes the complex discipline more approachable and appealing

Jan 06, 2023 09:40
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
  • en
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Latvia / Riga / Economy and Finance

Riga invites foreign companies for a workcation

The Latvian capital turned on the charm to attract curious and adventurous business investors

Jan 04, 2023 17:50
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
  • en
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Latvia / Riga / Politics and Reforms / Public Spaces

Riga is now completely free of Soviet regime monuments

The promotion of democracy couldn’t have been possible without the lustration of public spaces

Dec 08, 2022 16:41
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
  • en
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Latvia / Riga / Culture and Tourism / Economy and Finance

Riga introduces a tourist fee in 2023

The Latvian capital joins a growing rank of European cities that have turned to taxing the visitors’ impact

Nov 04, 2022 16:59
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
  • en
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Latvia / Riga / Energy efficiency

Electricity-producing households can already supply 10% of total consumption in Latvia

The number of microgenerator households in the Baltic nation has reached 10,000

Oct 20, 2022 17:37
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
  • en
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Latvia / Riga / Green City

Riga will host Latvia’s first public greenery composting site

All those leaves, grass, branches and flowers will turn into organic fertilizer as Nature intended

Oct 12, 2022 13:28
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
  • en
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Latvia / Riga / Politics and Reforms

Riga will host Russia’s main opposition TV channel

Meanwhile, Latvia banned the broadcasting of all other Russian tv stations on its territory

Jun 07, 2022 13:22
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
  • en
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Latvia / Riga / Digital transformation / Welfare and Health

Riga adds a drone to its summer lifeguard services

The city also added a new bathing area

May 20, 2022 17:41
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Latvia / Riga / Culture and Tourism / Economy and Finance

Riga encourages the creation of private museums

For the first time there, financial backing is forthcoming

May 17, 2022 15:13
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
  • en
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Latvia / Riga / Energy efficiency

Riga heating company asks residents to reduce energy consumption

Decreasing dependence on Russian-supplied gas will take time, but there are already plans for transition to renewables

Mar 18, 2022 15:31
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
  • en
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Latvia / Riga / Digital transformation / Green City

Riga to control illegal waste dumping in its forests with modern video system

The Latvian capital has the most forested territory among large cities of Europe

Feb 17, 2022 17:26
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
  • en
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Latvia / Riga / Digital transformation

Riga to boost digital transformation with a special administrative body

Riga Digital Agency is expected to start working on 1 April

Feb 04, 2022 17:42
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Latvia / Riga / Digital transformation / Mobility

No more cash payments on Riga city buses

This, among other things, will allow drivers to better focus on their main task at hand

Dec 31, 2021 16:16
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Estonia / Latvia / Riga / Tallinn / Culture and Tourism

Public Christmas tree: Which city did it first?

Supposedly, the answer lies somewhere in the Baltics and two capitals are vying for the honour

Dec 06, 2021 15:46
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Latvia / Riga / Green City

Riga applies to become a Zero Waste City

An insight into the process from a municipal point of view

Nov 22, 2021 15:53
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Latvia / Riga / Innovation and Research / Mobility

Riga becomes testing ground for mobility experimentation

This month, residents get to experience prototypes developed from bright ideas

Nov 15, 2021 17:48
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
  • en
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Latvia / Riga / Politics and Reforms

Latvia’s parliament votes to suspend non-vaccinated MPs

The antivax-minded lawmakers will not be able to attend sessions or vote

Nov 12, 2021 17:25
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
  • en
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Latvia / Riga / Welfare and Health

Riga equips buses with lights to indicate safe occupancy levels

The city is also changing bus timetables due to many drivers falling ill with Covid-19

Nov 04, 2021 16:39
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
  • en
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Latvia / Riga / Welfare and Health

Riga to take a stance against gambling

It is not such an easy decision when considering economic benefits against social harm

Oct 15, 2021 14:34
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Latvia / Jelgava / Liepāja / Riga / Culture and Tourism / Welfare and Health

Latvia opens winter swimming season today

The activity is now considered part of the national folk sports heritage

Oct 01, 2021 12:45
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Latvia / Riga / Politics and Reforms / Public Spaces

Riga might get a ‘night mayor’ in the near future

The city government is busy brainstorming how to organize life in the dark hours of the day

Sep 24, 2021 15:48
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Estonia / Latvia / Lithuania / Riga / Tallinn / Vilnius / Mobility

Baltic states run first connecting train in decades

Despite ballooning cost, Lithuania hopes that Rail Baltica will be completed on schedule by 2026

Sep 22, 2021 11:42
Plamen Petrov
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Latvia / Riga / Culture and Tourism / Economy and Finance

Riga postpones tourism tax

The new fee will be introduced one year later than planned, as a nod to local hospitality industry

Sep 17, 2021 16:30
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Latvia / Riga / Culture and Tourism / Digital transformation

Strictly for dog lovers, Riga project tells stories

The idea is to brighten up the daily walk with your pet and make you reflect on modern life’s issues

Aug 17, 2021 17:34
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Latvia / Riga / Development / Politics and Reforms

Riga will host the autumn conference of European large metropolises (METREX)

The organizers have chosen to concentrate on the topic of spatial strategies as the event’s focus

Aug 12, 2021 16:41
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Latvia / Riga / Culture and Tourism

Riga gets to host the Hanseatic Days for its 820th birthday

The Hanseatic League was revived in 1980 as ‘new Hanse’ and it aims to foster links between historical League cities today

Jul 30, 2021 14:51
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Latvia / Riga / Economy and Finance / Public Spaces

Riga responds to doubts on traffic poles maintenance

Small but important parts of street furnishing

Jul 26, 2021 12:45
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov

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