http://http://www.urban-net.orgNews and meetings from Urban-netenEUKNThu, 28 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0200http://http://www.urban-net.org/urbannet/news/2007/09/ec-publishes-green-paper-urban-transport_1009.htmlOn 25 September, the European Commission adopted a Green Paper on urban mobility. "Towards a new culture for urban mobility” opens the debate on key issues of urban mobility: free-flowing and greener towns and cities, smarter urban mobility and an urban transport which is accessible, safe and secure for all European citizens. The Green Paper identifies the obstacles to better urban mobility and opens the debate on how to remove them in partnership with all parties. The debate should finally result in the adoption of an Action Plan on urban mobility in Autumn 2008.NewsWed, 26 Sep 2007 00:00:00 +0200http://http://www.urban-net.org/urbannet/news/2007/09/paris-free-bike-london_1007.htmlA bicycle-hire scheme, which saw one million users in the eighteen days following its launch in Paris, is being monitored by London Mayor Ken Livingstone.NewsFri, 7 Sep 2007 00:00:00 +0200http://http://www.urban-net.org/urbannet/news/2007/08/european-noise-pollution_1002.htmlMost Europeans living in metropolitan areas (61 per cent) report substantial noise annoyance at home in their residential area. 32 per cent feel very or extremely annoyed. This is one of the first results of a European wide online survey on noise annoyance and noise sensitivity. The study is carried out in the context of the European research network SILENCE. The aim of this network, co-funded by the European Commission, is to develop recommendations and rules for noise abatement. For this, the scientists focus their interest particularly on annoying traffic noise and how it is perceived by residents in urban areas.NewsFri, 31 Aug 2007 00:00:00 +0200http://http://www.urban-net.org/urbannet/news/2007/07/carfree-areas_1005.htmlEuropean municipalities are invited to express interest in co-operating to realise carfree model settlements in their area. Three of the responding municipalities will be selected by a jury to participate in the international “Carfree Area Pilot Project”. Finally, the project proposal will be submitted to the European Commission under the programme “Intelligent energy – Europe”. The deadline for sending an application is 10 August 2007.NewsTue, 24 Jul 2007 00:00:00 +0200http://http://www.urban-net.org/urbannet/news/2007/07/portuguese-follow-up-leipzig_1006.htmlThe Portuguese EU Presidency is to hold an informal ministerial meeting on spatial planning and regional development in the Azores on 23 and 24 November. This was announced by the Portuguese Minister for the Environment, Spatial Planning and Regional Development, Francisco Nunes Correia during his visit to the European Parliament's Regional development committee in Brussels on 17 July.NewsFri, 20 Jul 2007 00:00:00 +0200