Amsterdam bans creation of new hotels
Another piece in the overall strategy to reduce tourist flows to the city
Mayor Nicuşor Dan believes that a clear balance sheet is a strong sign of reliability for banks and investors
Yesterday, Bucharest Мayor Nicuşor Dan announced that the city had paid off all its outstanding debts, which sat at around 3 billion lei in 2020, roughly equivalent to just over 600 million euros. Mayor Dan claimed that the Romanian city was starting 2023 with a clean slate – a clear sign for investors and businesses that City Hall is managed by competent administrators.
Furthermore, the mayor went on to explain that this ‘experiment’ was a way to gain the trust of both banks, the private sector, and foreign investors. Moreover, a good balance sheet of the local administration would help the city to incur new debt, especially for emergencies.
Mayor Dan pointed to a 500 million lei (100 million euros) debt the municipality had to take out last year to avoid the collapse of the heating system. According to him, this has led to a definite increase in confidence in the capabilities and attractiveness of Bucharest.
Although the idea of paying off all debts seems like an enticing promise, the Dan administration has had to make some hard choices to achieve these results. This includes controversial measures of austerity that have gutted some public services and have left others in disarray, without a clear successor.
At the same time, Bucharest’s current mayor insists that expenses greatly outweigh incomes in the city's past. Also, he cited several instances of outstanding debts prior to 2020 due to a lack of liquidity including the examples of handball players’ salaries and public tender for Otocar buses.
Moreover, Mayor Dan claimed that without austerity measures, Bucharest was faced with bankruptcy, meaning the imminent closure of essential public services like public transport and heating system, for example. Yet, the cost of balancing the budget included dissolving several municipal companies, most notably the park maintenance services.
Silesian is spoken by about half a million people in the south of the country
Legislators and magnates have to await a preliminary ruling from the European Court of Justice
The building will then serve as the site for a new museum dedicated to Finnish-Russian relations
The tool helps identify undeclared swimming pools and garden sheds
It will serve as a virtual companion to the municipal network of libraries in the country
In addition, the federal government has launched the National Week of Action against Bicycle Theft to raise awareness of the issue and the new solution
The tests are also experimenting with a charging point that is easier to maintain
Reportedly, the aim of the local government is to curb violence and disorder among the youth
The city thinks that it’s time to update pet-related street cleanliness rules for the 21st century
Yes, you guessed it right, that also includes baguettes and cheeses
Reportedly, the aim of the local government is to curb violence and disorder among the youth
Silesian is spoken by about half a million people in the south of the country
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