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Development

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Austria / Vienna / Development / Mobility

Vienna expands bike infrastructure – 20 km for 2023

The big highlights of the project are two cycling highways, one leading to Lower Austria in the south and another leading to Donaustadt

Mar 23, 2023 13:16
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Romania / Development / Energy efficiency

Romanian town starts geothermal project for district heating

Sântana has only 11,000 residents, yet several municipal buildings will get connected to a renewable geothermal reservoir deep underground

Mar 22, 2023 17:06

Economy and Finance

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Germany / Economy and Finance / Mobility

Despite revenue drop - Leipzig to invest in public transport

With a decline in passengers due to Covid-19 and the energy crisis, among other factors, the city will focus on increasing the quality of service

Mar 23, 2023 16:22
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Italy / Development / Economy and Finance

Italian government greenlights bridge between Sicily and mainland

The idea dates back even to Antiquity, but how feasible is it?

Mar 17, 2023 18:02

Politics and Reforms

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Italy / Rome / Culture and Tourism / Politics and Reforms

Italy’s far-right government OKs construction of Holocaust museum

The cultural and victim remembrance facility will be located in Rome

Mar 21, 2023 17:11
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Germany / Mobility / Politics and Reforms

Cities in Germany roll back incentives for e-vehicles. Here’s why

Many municipalities instituted privileges for EVs to promote sustainable mobility. Now, a lot more people are driving electric, so maybe it’s time to normalise legislation

Mar 20, 2023 16:28

Innovation and Research

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Bulgaria / Sofia / Development / Innovation and Research

Sofia seeks young people's innovative ideas in Academy for VISIONARIES 2023

The city wants new approaches to developing the urban environment and is willing to fund the best solutions

Mar 15, 2023 17:46
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Germany / Berlin / Economy and Finance / Innovation and Research

Berlin offers targeted support to make more businesses sustainable

Around 75% of German CO2 emissions come from the private sector, yet less than 1% of businesses are considered fully sustainable

Mar 14, 2023 16:59

Digital transformation

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Germany / Hamburg / Digital transformation / Mobility

Germany commits to AI-driven public transport in Hamburg

The city has a strategy of putting 10,000 human-controlled and autonomous shuttles on the streets by 2030

Mar 21, 2023 15:48
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Belgium / Brussels / Mechelen / Digital transformation / Politics and Reforms

Cities in Belgium rush to ban TikTok after National Security advice

Last week, the Chinese app was banned for Belgian federal employees for an initial period of six months

Mar 17, 2023 13:24

Energy efficiency

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Romania / Development / Energy efficiency

Romanian town starts geothermal project for district heating

Sântana has only 11,000 residents, yet several municipal buildings will get connected to a renewable geothermal reservoir deep underground

Mar 22, 2023 17:06
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Germany / Berlin / Culture and Tourism / Energy efficiency

Berlin gives guidelines for mounting solar on listed buildings

Some of the most productive solar installations in the city are on listed buildings, such as Red City Hall

Mar 16, 2023 17:18

Mobility

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Germany / Economy and Finance / Mobility

Despite revenue drop - Leipzig to invest in public transport

With a decline in passengers due to Covid-19 and the energy crisis, among other factors, the city will focus on increasing the quality of service

Mar 23, 2023 16:22
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Austria / Vienna / Development / Mobility

Vienna expands bike infrastructure – 20 km for 2023

The big highlights of the project are two cycling highways, one leading to Lower Austria in the south and another leading to Donaustadt

Mar 23, 2023 13:16

Public Spaces

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Spain / Barcelona / Public Spaces / Social City

Barcelona to host Spain’s first pet cemetery

It will open its doors in 2024 and offer cremations and burials

Mar 16, 2023 17:55
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Greece / Athens / Culture and Tourism / Public Spaces

Athens to build Greece's first 100% ‘green’ museum

The building will be on the site of Plato’s Ancient Academy

Mar 15, 2023 16:11

Culture and Tourism

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Austria / Culture and Tourism / Welfare and Health

Nursing homes in Graz embrace classical music as therapy

The city has arranged four tailor-made programmes for the different residences as a way to reconnect with patients’ life and memories

Mar 22, 2023 15:51
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Germany / Berlin / Culture and Tourism

Berlin promotes off-the-beaten-path tourism

The city has supported 65 initiatives in 9 districts away from its centre as a way to draw crowds to more unique experiences

Mar 22, 2023 14:00

Education and Sport

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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
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Luxembourg / Education and Sport / Welfare and Health

Free and 100% organic sanitary pads - Esch-sur-Alzette has you covered

The city will supply and maintain 138 dispensers in public buildings

Mar 10, 2023 17:19

Welfare and Health

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Austria / Culture and Tourism / Welfare and Health

Nursing homes in Graz embrace classical music as therapy

The city has arranged four tailor-made programmes for the different residences as a way to reconnect with patients’ life and memories

Mar 22, 2023 15:51
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Welfare and Health

EU life expectancy drops for a second year in a row

Find out which European region has the highest longevity, and which one the lowest

Mar 21, 2023 15:23
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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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Romania / Cluj-Napoca / Digital transformation / Interviews / Politics and Reforms

Online public services as efficient as TikTok: Cluj-Napoca’s Digital Transformation

Feb 16, 2023 13:51
Denis Balgaranov
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Bulgaria / Interviews / Read Twice

Veni Markovski: It's about time the media stopped inviting “experts” who spread false info

Nov 28, 2022 11:30
Denis Balgaranov
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Netherlands / Utrecht / Green City / Interviews

Sharon Dijksma: Without cities, it will be impossible to tackle global warming

Nov 21, 2022 13:41
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Interviews / Politics and Reforms

Vasco Cordeiro: The European project is at stake when solidarity is at stake

Aug 1, 2022 11:34
Denis Balgaranov
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Interviews

Cities Mission has made citizen engagement and participatory processes an important part of its functioning

Jul 14, 2022 14:57
ICLEI Europe
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Portugal / Matosinhos / Interviews

Luisa Salgueiro: Climate resilience work is never completed, it’s a continuously upgraded project

Jun 23, 2022 12:41
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Interviews

EBRD's aim is to support increased climate ambition within cities

May 18, 2022 13:33
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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Greece / Athens / Interviews / Welfare and Health

Melina Daskalaki: Our mission is to promote the social reintegration of homeless individuals

May 16, 2022 11:04
Svilena Iotkovska
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Sweden / Interviews

Katrin Stjernfeldt Jammeh: Malmö Resilience Hub will have the potential to connect cities on the Baltic Sea

May 11, 2022 15:26
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov

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Portugal
Funchal image

Funchal

Funchal
Pedro Calado
Mayor

Pedro Calado

Biography
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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.

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Portugal / Funchal / Digital transformation / Energy efficiency

All Madeirans will get a smart energy meter at home, courtesy of regional government

The initiative for the upgrade of the home devices will set the authorities back some 12 million euros

Sep 01, 2022 17:57
Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
Anton Stoyanov

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