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
The structural reform of 2007 has had a positive impact on people’s satisfaction with local governments
In 2007, a structural reform reduced the number of municipalities in Denmark from 271 to 98. At the time, citizens’ satisfaction was reportedly declining for several years. Now, a recent study has found that the levels of satisfaction in the merged municipalities have gradually increased.
Financed and commissioned by the Ministry of the Interior and Housing, the survey was conducted by the University of Southern Denmark and the Danish Centre for Social Science Research VIVE with the aim of assessing the impact of the 2007 reform.
On 5 April, VIVE revealed the findings of its recent survey, explaining that people have become more satisfied with their local governments since the structural reform. More specifically, the levels of satisfaction increased most in the merged municipalities, rising from an index of 6.8 to 7.5 from 2009 to 2021.
Senior Researcher at VIVE Rasmus Tue Pedersen discussed the reform, sharing that the citizens of the merged municipalities have experienced major changes in the recent decades; that is, they were forced to become accustomed to being part of new and larger municipalities that subsequently operated in different ways.
Despite the challenge of adapting to the reform, citizens became more satisfied with their municipality’s ability to resolve problems. In addition to this, VIVE disclosed that they also became more content with local services and facilities as well as how local democracy works.
It is important to note that the Danish research centre has conducted numerous comprehensive questionnaire surveys since 2001 in order to make comparisons over the years. Analysing these studies, VIVE has reported that citizens’ views of local democracy have otherwise remained largely unchanged since the first survey in 2001.
The underground rapid transit lines have been under construction for almost two decades due to various project delays
Now you can get your wine in Talence by paying directly in Bitcoin
That’s because the state has to spend money on updating the railway infrastructure rather than subsidizing the cost of the popular pass
Rethinking renewable energy sources for the urban landscape
The examples, compiled by Beyond Fossil Fuels, can inform and inspire communities and entrepreneurs that still feel trepidation at the prospect of energy transition
Now you can get your wine in Talence by paying directly in Bitcoin
The 10th European Conference on Sustainable Cities and Towns (ESCT) sets the stage for stronger cooperation between the EU, national and local level to fast track Europe's transition to climate neutrality.
At least, that’s the promise made by the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo
The underground rapid transit lines have been under construction for almost two decades due to various project delays
At least, that’s the promise made by the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo
Hostal de Pinós is located in the geographical centre of the autonomous region
Despite its church-y name, the district has long been known as the hangout spot for the artsy crowds
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
An interview with the Mayor of a Polish city that seeks to reinvent itself
An interview with the newly elected ICLEI President and Mayor of Malmö
A conversation with the Mayor of Lisbon about the spirit and dimensions of innovation present in the Portuguese capital