EU Green Capital Valencia will host 2024 edition of European Urban Resilience Forum
Crucial aspects of resilience, sustainable development and recovery will be under the thematic spotlight
An interview with the Mayor of Vejen, Denmark
Egon Fræhr was elected to the municipal council in 1998 and he is a member of the Liberal Party. In 2002, he became the Mayor of Brørup Municipality which ceased to exist after the 2007 Kommunalreformen (Municipality Reform).
That is, Brørup merged with the municipalities of Holsted, Rødding, and Vejen to form Vejen Municipality. Fræhr has been the Mayor of Vejen Municipality since 2007.
It’s attractive for many people to live in Vejen and run a business here because of our central location in South Denmark. We have a spacious countryside and many forms of housing, both in towns and in the countryside.
We have a varied nature, ideal for an active outdoor life. And we also have one of the biggest indoor sports facilities in the country in Vejen. The culture is diverse, including a nationally known art museum.
Vejen Municipality has developed in several ways. In particular, more companies and jobs have emerged. The infrastructure has improved for everyone. The profile of the Municipality has changed from mainly exercising control and authority to now being a service organisation helping citizens and companies.
Everything accomplished is due to the good collaboration in the city council. First, the merger of four municipalities. Our focus has always been to have goals and strategies, which has led to many improvements and good results.
I’m proud to say, that we have become a more business-friendly municipality, our care of the elderly has improved, and we have better schools. Over the years, there has also been a much-needed modernization of many municipal buildings.
Vejen has done okay in relation to the number of sick, and so far, local lockdowns have been tolerable. Our elderly and schoolchildren have been affected the most because of the lack of socializing.
Our use of online meetings, communication and teaching has been a great help in keeping up a functioning municipality during the whole period. Good, dedicated employees who have performed at all times for the benefit of the citizens.
Listen to the needs of the citizens and companies and to their perception of the municipality. Set goals and tone down the ideological political dialogue and focus on practical processes. A good and trusting relationship in the city council is also very important.
The city was concerned about street noise and disturbances to residents
This, however, is likely to change soon
Crucial aspects of resilience, sustainable development and recovery will be under the thematic spotlight
This is city twinning for the 21st century
You can find it in the capital Sofia, where it was installed upon the initiative of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
People in both cities got to sit together both in person and virtually
The city was concerned about street noise and disturbances to residents
And the current administration plans to make Jardin del Turia Europe’s largest city green space by extending it to the sea
The aim is to have the public be able to admire the architectural design without distractions
The installation has been thought out with the concept of letting people “talk” to their dearly departed
It’s an urban space that has undergone several large-scale transformations throughout its existence
A US geologist claims to have solved the centuries-old mystery
Urban dwellers across the EU are having a say in making their surroundings friendlier to people and the environment.
Forests in the EU can help green the European construction industry and bolster a continent-wide push for architectural improvements.
Apply by 10 November and do your part for the transformation of European public spaces
Catch up with some recommendations for the 2024 European Capital of Culture programme from the mayor of Tartu
An interview with the ICLEI regional director for Europe аfter the close of COP28
An interview with a member of the No Hate Speech Network team