As we reach mid-2024, European cities showcase various urban development markers that are shaping the trajectory for the remainder of the year. Under themes of urban mobility in Brussels, sustainability in Valencia, Smart Cities in Rotterdam, and urban cooling in Paris, each city is making noteworthy progress on the road to meet the 2030 targets set by the Paris Agreement. In these diverse urban fabrics, European cities are committed to defining challenges and working towards shaping a climate-conscious future.
By the start of the year, the Brussels Times has announced that the Belgian capital has been ranked among the world’s 10 most congested cities. With vehicles needing an additional 27 minutes to travel 10km over the previous year, the city was ranked fifth in Europe regionally. To reduce traffic congestion, the city is actively encouraging other forms of transportation, including trains, buses, trams, and bikes. The Brussels congestion problem began in 2022, and the Mobility Minister Elke Van den Brandt believes that reinforcing an intelligent kilometer charge,” can be a plausible solution for this overcrowding.
Valencia, Spain, has received the title of European Green Capital 2024. Located on the southeastern coast of Spain, the city celebrates the prestigious recognition with 400 activities centering around fighting against pollution and biodiversity loss, along with efforts to increase climate change awareness. Achieved by the city due to its significant emphasis on citizen involvement, the award commends Valencia's cooperation between local government and citizens. To accomplish environmental and climatic neutrality targets by 2030, Valencia’s tagline is “On a Mission Together.” Finally, the city’s efforts are further bolstered by the EU Mission Label accreditation, positioning it as an example for other European towns shifting to sustainable alternatives.
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Is Paris Ready for the Olympics? Exploring the City-Wide Implications of Hosting Global EventsThis year, Rotterdam is set to host the Open and Agile Smart Cities Conference 2024. Emphasizing the value of close city-to-city cooperation, the city will display its “Open Urban Platform,” which focuses on minimal interoperability mechanisms for data exchange. With a theme of “Become Better Connected,” the conference aims to support a strong network among cities, promoting collaborative growth and development among them.
Additionally, in order to fulfill the growing demand for air conditioning while lowering carbon emissions, Paris is officially extending a new urban cooling system, which uses water from the Seine River. The system, which is run by Paris Fraicheur and is owned by Engie and RATP, replaces individual air conditioning systems in buildings with chilled water from the Seine, lowering carbon emissions. According to Reuters, the city aims to quadruple the network to 250 km by 2042. The plan will expand it to southern regions and vital establishments, including hospitals, daycare centers, and senior homes.
In preparation for the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games, currently underway, the city council of the French capital has approved 43 new initiatives catalyzing the city’s transformation. New York City legislation has just effectively banned Airbnbs and short-term apartment rentals. Finally, European cities have taken measures, including fines, entrance fees, and time-slot systems, to impose restrictions and deal with overcrowding and overtourism in city centers.
Editor's Note: This article was originally published on January 17, 2024, and updated on August 5, 2024.
