Spain / Development / Energy efficiency

Valladolid to have Spain’s largest biomass-fed heating network

The promise is that it will save between 30% and 50% on users’ energy bills

May 17, 2022 17:49

France / Grenoble / Development

Grenoble: topless bathing and burkini authorised in municipal pools

The highly contested decision was approved yesterday with a minor margin

May 17, 2022 11:15

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

Austria / Vienna / Culture and Tourism / Economy and Finance

Start-up festival will turn Vienna into an international business hotspot this spring

ViennaUP’22 will bring people from over 40 countries to the Austrian capital in a business festival fuelled by the unique local atmosphere

May 10, 2022 14:41

Germany / Berlin / Mobility / Politics and Reforms

Could Berlin become a car-free city in the next four years?

An ambitious draft bill was championed by the Greens in the City’s Senate, but authorities shut it down for being too drastic. What happens now?

May 17, 2022 17:23

Portugal / Lisbon / Politics and Reforms

Lisbon’s first Citizens Council took place over the weekend

An exciting avenue for random democratic participation

May 16, 2022 13:33

Czechia / Plzen / Innovation and Research

Pilsen to showcase innovative technologies at three-day festival

Innovating Pilsen will take place during the first week of June

May 16, 2022 17:41

Sweden / Helsingborg / Innovation and Research / Public Spaces

Here’s a look at some of the urban design marvels on show at H22 City Expo

Helsingborg shows the creative power of architecture

May 12, 2022 15:56

Lithuania / Vilnius / Digital transformation / Welfare and Health

Vilnius gets more precise about air quality with online pollen map

The project is the first of its kind in Lithuania

May 13, 2022 16:49

Luxembourg / Luxembourg / Culture and Tourism / Digital transformation

Luxembourg: Futuristic VR tech will transport visitors to the past

It offers the chance to experience the city as it was in 1867

May 13, 2022 14:47

Spain / Development / Energy efficiency

Valladolid to have Spain’s largest biomass-fed heating network

The promise is that it will save between 30% and 50% on users’ energy bills

May 17, 2022 17:49

Spain / Energy efficiency / Public Spaces

This totem charges phones with solar energy

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria adds new type of urban furniture to the landscape

May 16, 2022 17:55

Germany / Berlin / Mobility / Politics and Reforms

Could Berlin become a car-free city in the next four years?

An ambitious draft bill was championed by the Greens in the City’s Senate, but authorities shut it down for being too drastic. What happens now?

May 17, 2022 17:23

Austria / Czechia / Prague / Vienna / Mobility

Austrian Climate Minister wants to cut taxes on cross-border rail tickets

The announcement came just as authorities presented their plan for a Vienna-Prague direct train route

May 17, 2022 12:46

Czechia / Prague / Public Spaces / Welfare and Health

Prague wants to ban consumption of alcohol in over 1,000 public places

In this way, it will reduce the levels of noise and pollution

May 18, 2022 12:19

Luxembourg / Luxembourg / Public Spaces

Luxembourg City’s largest park will open next year

The €16-million-euro project in Gasperich will include sports facilities, a huge lake and a river with fish

May 17, 2022 15:42

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

Austria / Vienna / Culture and Tourism

4000-square-metre art piece will cover one of the tallest buildings in Vienna

The Ringturm has been used as a giant canvas since 2006. After a two-year break due to COVID-19, it will be wrapped in Hungarian artist Dora Maurer’s artwork called ‘Together’

May 16, 2022 13:13

Luxembourg / Education and Sport / Mobility

A campaign in Luxembourg will create bike-buddy groups

The Grand Duchy remains one of the most car-dependent countries in the EU, so the government is trying to break people's commuting habits

May 16, 2022 15:23

Finland / Helsinki / Education and Sport / Welfare and Health

Helsinki offers refugees discounts for cultural and leisure services

One must present their residence card or a certificate confirming they have received asylum to be eligible for the discounts

May 13, 2022 11:51

Czechia / Prague / Public Spaces / Welfare and Health

Prague wants to ban consumption of alcohol in over 1,000 public places

In this way, it will reduce the levels of noise and pollution

May 18, 2022 12:19

Finland / Welfare and Health

Lahti to study the link between sustainable lifestyles and wellbeing

It is searching for people who want to take part in the experiment

May 17, 2022 17:13

Funchal

Mayor

Pedro Calado

View old mayors

The settlement of Funchal dates back to around 1424. In order to fulfil its administrative role, Funchal received its primary lighthouse between 1452 and 1454, when it was elevated to the status of a municipal seat.

Funchal became an important transfer point for European trade. Columbus was one of the early settlers, later many merchant families established commercial interests on the island.

During the second half of the XV century, the sugar industry expanded significantly along the southern coast, making Funchal its most important centre. In 1508, Funchal received the status of city by King Manuel I of Portugal. In 1514 the bishopric took Funchal for its headquarters.

During the XVI century, Funchal was an important stop for travellers between the Indies and the New World.

In the XVII century, commercial treaties with England brought increased investments to a business that was still insular. Many English commercial winemakers moved to the island, thus bringing a change to the commerce, the economy and the lifestyle of the local community.

This incremental growth led to the expansion of Funchal with new estates and a new merchant class. That in turn led to the creation of many new three-floor homes of a special type - with an intermediary service floor, a floor for storage and wine-cellars. In some cases, they also boast a tower to watch the port and monitor shipping in the harbour.

During the XIX century there were epidemics, aggravating the economy and forcing some to return to sugar plantations. In order to maintain the level of development, many landowners tried to plant new more-resistant castes in order to support the industry.

During World War I, Funchal was twice bombarded by Germany.

Numerous notable persons have also visited the region throughout history, like Elisabeth, empress of Austria-Hungary, Charles I of Austria, Emperor of Austria and king of Hungary Polish Field Marshal Józef Piłsudski, Winston Churchill and many more. The presence of these notable visitors marked a period when the city became a centre of tourism and therapeutic health.

With the creation of the Port of Funchal, and later the establishment of the Santa Catarina Airport, Funchal turned into a major international tourist destination supported by a series of hotels and ocean-front residences.

Portugal / Funchal / Green City / Social City

Funchal reminds residents that composting is another way to recycle

The local authorities are proactive in fostering a new mindset about waste

Apr 21, 2022 14:51

Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov

Portugal / Funchal / Economy and Finance / Politics and Reforms

Portugal bans geo-blocking after Madeirans were left out during pandemic

The crisis revealed some of the plights of the islander communities in Europe

Feb 22, 2022 16:12

Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov

Portugal / Funchal / Culture and Tourism / Digital transformation

Funchal’s seaside complexes to get free Wi-Fi

The spectacular bathing facilities get a touch more digital

Feb 14, 2022 17:58

Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov

Portugal / Funchal / Digital transformation / Politics and Reforms

Madeira President calls for digitalization of voting

Portugal is about to hold its parliamentary elections on 30 January

Jan 14, 2022 16:46

Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov

Portugal / Funchal / Green City / Innovation and Research

Remote Madeira islets to become core of largest marine reserve in Europe

This was announced on account of the 50th anniversary of the Ilhas Selvagens as a nature reserve

Nov 30, 2021 13:25

Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov

Portugal / Funchal / Culture and Tourism / Economy and Finance

Madeira connects the dots between tourism and start-ups

The regional authorities organized the 4th edition of the Madeira Startup Retreat

Nov 18, 2021 17:14

Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov

Portugal / Funchal / Economy and Finance / Politics and Reforms

Madeira’s President calls for more autonomy from Portugal

This happened after the archipelago received less from the national budget

Oct 15, 2021 17:35

Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov

Portugal / Funchal / Lisbon / Porto / Politics and Reforms

Portuguese opposition snatches Lisbon in local elections

Socialists, however, are the overall winners from the Sunday ballot casting

Sep 27, 2021 15:09

Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov

Portugal / Funchal / Development / Welfare and Health

Funchal completely eliminates asbestos from water network

The previous fibre cement infrastructure has been replaced with cast iron pipes

Sep 03, 2021 18:00

Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov

Portugal / Funchal / Development / Mobility / Politics and Reforms

Madeira hopeful for a revival of maritime tourism

The archipelago’s Secretary for the Economy also expressed his stance on the return of ferry link to the mainland

Aug 26, 2021 17:32

Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov

Portugal / Funchal / Green City / Welfare and Health

Funchal is a role model in Portugal in terms of resilience

The city received a recognition award for its Civil Protection Centres

Aug 23, 2021 13:37

Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov

Portugal / Funchal / Economy and Finance / Green City

Madeira launched a platform on circular economy

The new digital tool aims to create a community, educate and inspire with examples

Jul 07, 2021 18:29

Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov

Portugal / Funchal / Green City

Funchal boasts cleanest air outside of Scandinavia

It is only one of two non-Northern cities to find a place among the top 10

Jun 25, 2021 14:05

Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov

Portugal / Funchal / Culture and Tourism

Madeira celebrates 200 years of regional press

The first issue of the ‘Patriota Funchalense’ came out on 2 July 1821

Jun 23, 2021 16:36

Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov

Portugal / Funchal / Green City / Public Spaces

Special hydro network will soon boost anti-fire security in Funchal

One of the main hazards to the island capital

Jun 08, 2021 12:38

Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov

Portugal / Funchal / Culture and Tourism / Public Spaces

Funchal prepares for bathing suit season

Finishing works on the city’s swimming seaside complexes are completed

May 20, 2021 17:21

Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov

Portugal / Funchal / Culture and Tourism / Education and Sport

Funchal ready to receive the paralympic swimmers of Europe

This is an important event for the upcoming Paralympics in Tokyo

May 10, 2021 12:40

Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov

Portugal / Funchal / Digital transformation

Funchal offers detailed spatial information regarding its territory

This was made possible through an online georeference platform

Apr 22, 2021 16:06

Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov

Portugal / Funchal / Culture and Tourism

Madeira offers Europe’s only tourist green corridor

You can head there if you show proof of vaccination or recovery from Covid-19

Mar 30, 2021 12:01

Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov

Portugal / Funchal / Welfare and Health

Funchal reports on its pet ambulance service

A van had been converted to meet the needs of the animals

Mar 15, 2021 15:19

Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov

Portugal / Funchal / Digital transformation / Green City

Funchal City Council is implanting microchips in local trees

This is not a conspiracy theory but an ongoing project that seeks to digitize natural heritage management

Feb 23, 2021 13:11

Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov

Portugal / Funchal / Development / Economy and Finance

Funchal will offer a test store for fledgling businesses

The initiative, called Viveiro de Lojas, will offer floor space to 6 entrepreneurs for 6 months

Feb 13, 2021 15:01

Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov

Funchal / Culture and Tourism / Public Spaces

Madeira Theme Park is set for a boost

The unique ethnographic village serves as a treasure chest for local traditions

Dec 23, 2020 16:37

Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov

Funchal / Development / Economy and Finance

Funchal’s Participatory Budget will be decided through SMS

This year’s edition of the democratic practice has introduced a new system

Nov 20, 2020 14:17

Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov

Funchal / Energy efficiency

Funchal mayor attends the mega cleaning operation of the city

This initiative is hailed as necessary in the new context

Oct 06, 2020 14:40

Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov

Funchal / Larissa / Porto / Rome / Mobility

Island cities win big at this year’s CIVITAS Awards

Funchal and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria took the leading prizes

Sep 30, 2020 09:06

Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov

Funchal / Economy and Finance / Welfare and Health

Madeira Regional Government covers COVID lay-offs, for now

16.2 million euros were added to the supplementary budget of the island

Jul 23, 2020 11:50

Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov

Funchal / Interviews

The most valuable asset of Funchal are the warmth, hospitality and sympathy of its hard-working people

Interview with Miguel Silva Gouveia, Mayor of Funchal in Portugal

May 08, 2020 08:06

Monika Dimitrova

Funchal / Culture and Tourism

Funchal sets sights on introducing tourist tax

Local authorities are planning to tax visitors 2 euros per day for overnight stays

Jan 24, 2020 14:37