Netherlands
Amsterdam
Femke Halsema
Mayor
Recommended
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Food systems in play: Amsterdam’s long game for fairer futures
In Amsterdam, Amped is reinventing food systems through networks and community ownership but without stronger European support, change stays fragile.
4 minute read -
Amsterdam wants to save your digital privacy
Shared mobility data helps cities decide where to build new infrastructure such as parkings or cycling paths. But how to harvest users' data without impinging on their right to privacy? Amsterdam has the answer, and your city can use it for free.
3 minute read -
Do you fancy a doughnut?
Amsterdam has embraced the Doughnut model that intends to consider the social and ecological impacts of economic activities.
4 minute read -
Back to (green) business
Amsterdam focuses on recovering the local economy by targeting small and medium companies working in the fields of digitalisation, sustainability, and addressing the mismatch in the labour market.
5 minute read -
Clean waste collection in Gothenburg
Noiseless and good for the climate: trailblazing e-trucks are taking waste collection into the future in Gothenburg. Other cities from the Big Buyers for Climate and Environment project are taking note.
6 minute read -
Dark stores: Amsterdam hits the pause button
Grocery apps promise food and beverage deliveries in record time. But this business model comes with a whole new set of challenges for cities and residents. Amsterdam decided to act.
6 minute read -
How to make digital rights a reality
Digital rights are human rights. Yet the path to making this a reality is still full of hurdles. What are cities doing to get there, earlier rather than later?
10 minute read -
Rethink, reuse and repair
The circular economy is set to become a key component of the European Green Deal, and many cities are already leading the way.
5 minute read -
The world is over. Time to save it.
We did our best to save the world, but now it’s too late for that. This is the premise of the game Age of Energy, which is harnessing its addictive power to cajole young people into energy saving behaviour.
5 minute read
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Cities need EU and national support to deliver lower urban speeds
European cities are proving that lower urban speeds save lives and create safer, healthier and more liveable streets. But cities need EU and national support to deliver Vision Zero.
6 minute read -
How European cities are making AI work for people
As AI becomes part of everyday urban life, cities are asking not just what the technology can do, but how it can improve people’s lives. From data spaces to digital skills, local governments are building the trust, tools and safeguards needed to make AI work for everyone.
7 minute read -
How cities are making the European Cycling Declaration a reality
Over one year on from the adoption of the EU's European Declaration on Cycling, how are cities turning the pledge into safer, more inclusive cycling, and what EU action is needed to ensure lasting urban change?
6 minute read -
EU announces plan to put rail back on track
The European Commission's plan for a pan-European high-speed rail network promises to shrink travel times, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and boost local economies and European competitiveness.
6 minute read -
Cities call for action on homelessness and migrant integration in the next MFF
Cities are urging the EU to safeguard funding, empower local action, and build a Union where everyone can belong.
3 minute read -
SUN4Ukraine project unveils 14 city partnerships for climate action
Ukrainian municipalities will be paired with European Cities that are part of the EU Mission for 100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities. These unique partnerships will help embed climate neutrality in Ukrainian reconstruction strategies.
3 minute read -
Ageing cities: Rethinking care and urban life
At the recent Eurocities Social Affairs Forum in Amsterdam, politicians, city officials, and EU policymakers gathered to ask the hard questions: How can cities remain engines of equity and innovation in the face of ageing and economic disruption? What does it mean to design urban life that ensures the dignity of older adults, a fair future for younger generations and inclusive opportunities for new arrivals?
7 minute read -
Ukrainian and European cities share climate-neutral goals
At the Cities Mission Conference in Vilnius, Ukrainian and EU cities showed they are united in their goal to achieve climate neutrality. European Mission cities were urged to join the SUN4Ukraine project, pairing them with Ukrainian municipalities to drive joint climate action.
5 minute read -
Mayors voice support for Ekrem İmamoğlu
Mayors across Europe are speaking out on the unlawful detention of Ekrem İmamoğlu, Mayor of Istanbul, and are demanding his immediate release.
4 minute read -
Mayors meet Commissioner Jørgensen to call for stronger housing action
Commissioner Dan Jørgensen welcomes city leaders to discuss an ambitious European housing agenda.
5 minute read -
Building welcoming and inclusive cities
Local leaders call to be included in migration and asylum policymaking and receive direct funding to integrate refugees and combat rising inequalities.
5 minute read -
Urban Pioneers: Amsterdam’s Chief Science Officer
Amsterdam's Chief Science Officer is transforming the way research and innovation happens in the city. In the latest Urban Pioneers article, she makes her case for why more cities should ‘dares to share’.
6 minute read -
Exploring the intersection of art, science and community in urban development
Students of art, engineering, mathematics, science and technology are helping to drive the transformation in Amsterdam
7 minute read -
Urban mobility is about autonomy and connection
The Eurocities Mobility Forum in Utrecht spotlighted the essence of inclusivity and empowerment in urban mobility, urging cities to design with everyone in mind.
7 minute read -
Better mobility starts in cities
Cities gather to discuss how to radically reshape urban space and present their demands for the next EU mobility policy agenda.
5 minute read -
New EU rules to stop illegal short-term rentals are a welcome change
Last week, the European Parliament passed a regulation concerning the sharing and collection of data for Short-Term accommodation Rental services (STR). The regulation is a promising step forward in achieving a balanced ecosystem for short-term rentals, serving the interests of both the public and visitors.
4 minute read -
Cities building bridges for digital inclusion
In a world where not everyone has the same access to these digital experiences, cities have a duty to ensure digital inclusion and bridge the digital divide.
6 minute read -
How foreign registered vehicles get away with it
Final negotiations tomorrow on the Cross-Border Enforcement Directive. Will foreign vehicles still get away with violating Urban Vehicle Access Regulations?
4 minute read -
The role of culture in shaping a better Europe
In the lead-up to the EU elections, cities show how culture has its place in shaping a better Europe and ask for a stronger partnership going forward.
4 minute read -
Urban Pioneers: Amsterdam’s Bicycle Mayor
In the latest interview in our series, we cycle through the Dutch city with a special urban leader: Katelijne Boerma, who promotes cycling progress in her city.
4 minute read -
Reality vs fabrication: who is behind the information we consume
In an era increasingly defined by the omnipresence of artificial intelligence, the distinction between human-generated content and that crafted by digital technologies becomes ever more elusive.
4 minute read -
A green dress for everyone’s culture
Cities commit to creating more sustainable and inclusive cultural policies and practices by signing the Eurocities Lille Call to Action. Find out more about what they do.
4 minute read -
“If there is something that defines the human being, it is diversity”
Migrants still face challenges regardless of the city they live in. To name a few, resident permits, recognitions of qualifications, obstacles to participation in society, discrimination and so on.
9 minute read -
Using private data for public good
With the Data Act recently agreed by the European Institutions, cities share their views and experiences with Business-to-Government data sharing.
6 minute read -
The century of cities – interview
Will cities rule the world? Greg Clark doesn't think so, but the moderator of the Brussels Urban Summit does insist that local leaders must be invested with more power if we're to face the challenges besetting the globe.
11 minute read -
Teaming up for climate neutrality
Knowledge and best practice sharing is a key enabling factor for cities that are on the way to becoming climate-neutral. The NetZeroCities Twinning Programme allows cities at the early stages of becoming climate neutral to learn from other pilots and their innovative solutions.
4 minute read -
Setting the trend for emission free mobility
As the EU is concluding the discussions on the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation – a piece of legislation that aims to boost the number of charging points in the EU – Amsterdam and the Dutch experience can serve as a good learning model for others.
5 minute read -
How does your city use and manage your digital data?
Over the past half year, a group of Eurocities member cities have developed a free to use and shareable data schema for AI registries that helps explain the use of artificial intelligence systems by government organisations.
7 minute read -
Nine cities set standards for the transparent use of Artificial Intelligence
A free to use open-source ‘data schema’ for algorithm registers in cities has been tried and tested by nine cities over the last six months, and can now be adopted by others.
2 minute read -
Cities step up to mitigate energy poverty
Many cities are already embarking on innovative local projects to mitigate the present and future energy poverty effects, which mainly concerns economically vulnerable groups.
5 minute read -
Solving local migration funding
Tips and solutions from cities on securing European funding for migration-related initiatives. This is the second and final part of our series.
4 minute read -
Cities seek to fund migration
Cities discuss the challenges they face to secure European funding for migration-related initiatives
4 minute read -
Short term rentals: cities ask Europe’s help
With the summer holidays starting, cities worry once more about the impact of short term holiday rentals, and Europe seems to turn a blind eye on the issue.
3 minute read -
Older but not forgotten
Cities should be a part of the upcoming EU Care Strategy that will cover the challenges that low birth rates and high life expectancy entail, especially to our healthcare systems.
8 minute read -
Amsterdam, Barcelona, Madrid and Vienna pledge to the European Pillar of Social Rights
Mental health, combatting homelessness, a fair integration into the labour market and gender equality are the commitments of these cities
6 minute read -
Cities want more than recovery
In the wake of two years of pandemic, cities are facing many competing challenges, but are committed to learning lessons, and using the potential boost from recovery funding, to jump ahead of where they were pre-Covid19.
6 minute read -
Cities rally around Ukraine
Local leaders are multiplying their voices in support of Ukraine with messages, aid, donations and solidarity offers while draping themselves in yellow and blue.
3 minute read -
We need more than ‘just’ Digital Rights Principles
With the Commission publishing a set of Digital Rights Principles, cities agree that digitalisation has to benefit everyone, however, stating principles are not enough, and cities are ready for the next step.
5 minute read -
Carbon Capture Storage and Use: tool or pretext?
Is Carbon Capture and Storage sweeping problems under the rug, or is it a necessary tool to help cities reach their climate goals?
6 minute read -
All children have a right to their future
Unaccompanied migrant children have been through a lot by the time they get to Europe. How can our cities ensure that they have the opportunity to reach their full potential?
9 minute read -
Navigating the data world
How do citizens fair in a data world? A preview on the discussion that the Knowledge Society Forum will be guiding next 22 September.
6 minute read -
People’s power to improve cities
People collect data in their neighbourhood, to create a better living for all – the new European project CitiMeasure wants to support citizen science initiatives.
2 minute read -
10 ways to make integration gender-sensitive
About half of all migrants in the EU are women, but integration policies often leave women behind. Here are ten cities where things are different.
8 minute read -
Football’s coming home – to cities
11 cities, as many as players in a football team, are hosting the European Football Championship, spread right across our continent. We take a closer look at what fans can expect.
3 minute read -
Digital Services Act, why should you care?
The Digital Services Act is moving through its legislative process, but it remains an abstract piece of legislation in most people’s minds, yet it will have real life consequences for everyone.
3 minute read -
Sustainable, functional, beautiful and local
The European Commission wants to make beautiful, inclusive and sustainable design the embodiment of the Green Deal. Find out how cities are leading the way with their ideas.
2 minute read -
Reinventing tourism
Tourism will provide a necessary boost to vibrant urban life, when travel can once again open up – but it must also be sustainable, and add to quality of life for a city’s residents.
2 minute read -
“Time is running out”
Mayors call on the EU presidency to ensure that cities are better involved in the national recovery plans. Portugal’s prime minister Costa promises support.
1 minute read -
Keeping Europe together after Brexit
While the results of Brexit, the UK’s exit from the EU, are counted in gains and losses, city leaders in Europe look for common ground for future cooperation.
2 minute read -
Putting people first in the green energy transition
How do we put people first when moving to a green and digital economy in times of crisis recovery? Bringing together social and environmental goals is a key task for many cities now focussing on recovery efforts.
5 minute read -
City news: Rome, cycling capital in the making
Finding opportunities in the corona crisis, Rome, and many other European cities, are boosting their cycling revolution.
5 minute read -
Cities pledge over €14 billion to fight poverty and social exclusion
44 cities, representing more than 51 million citizens, have jointly pledged €14.2 billion in social investment measures towards creating a fairer, more equal and inclusive Europe.
5 minute read -
Cities want EU to help against Airbnb
Mayors demand a stronger regulation of the rental platform Airbnb, to protect their local housing markets.
1 minute read -
Short Term Holiday Rentals: large European cities seek EU cooperation
Mayors and representatives of cities want stronger regulations on the Short Term Holiday Rental market in order to counter the harmful impact of STHR on the housing market and make neighbourhoods more liveable.
3 minute read -
Opportunities and challenges in a digital era – Cities meeting with Margrethe Vestager
Ahead of the announced Digital Services Act, mayors and leaders from 12 European cities met with European Commission Executive Vice-President, Margrethe Vestager.
4 minute read -
Amsterdam’s year of the sun
With its strong ambition to become climate neutral by 2050, Amsterdam is calling on both the Dutch government and the EU to join it in its goal of achieving a 55% carbon emissions reduction by 2030.
6 minute read -
Four Eurocities members named EU innovation award finalists
Cluj-Napoca, Espoo, Leuven and Vienna have a chance to win €1 million to promote innovation in their cities.
1 minute read -
Moria fire – Cities ready to take in refugees
After the fire in the Greek migrant camp Moria, European cities renew their offer to take in refugees.
2 minute read -
Joining forces on the platform economy
Several of our members cities met to discuss the rather thorny issue of the platform economy, especially Airbnb rentals and what this means for city administrations.
2 minute read -
City-zen, new urban energy: learn from the past and shape the future
A city operating entirely on clean energy? In theory, it's possible. But in real life? How to integrate new solutions in existing buildings, systems and people's lives?
2 minute read -
Refugee radio in Thessaloniki – cities work with volunteers
Images of refugees entering Greece have been blazing across Europe for almost half a decade – now it’s time to hear their voices.
2 minute read -
Cities ready to take in refugee children
Cities across Europe are ready to welcome children from overcrowded refugee camps on the Greek islands.
1 minute read -
City letter on refugee children relocation gains traction
The city of Bruges is the most recent signatory to the letter, which seeks to bring together cities that support relocating refugee children from the Greek islands.
2 minute read -
Cities are leading the way to gender equality
Read about some of the steps cities are taking to promote equality.
4 minute read -
22 cities call for stronger European regulation of holiday rental platforms
European cities call for tougher laws on short-term tourist accommodation.
1 minute read -
Cities pledge to beat EU targets on climate emissions
Cities are showing leadership on climate and demanding European level action on the eve of the publication of the Communication on the European Green Deal tomorrow.
2 minute read -
