Amsterdam to buy out young people’s debt to offer ‘new start’
The debt-transfer project will start in February. Each person on the scheme will be given a coach with whom they will prepare a “guidance plan”.
Cities
This archive collects stories about cities as actors in solving local and global challenges. From housing and transit to clean energy and public health, these 327 articles highlight the concrete steps urban governments and communities are taking to improve life for residents.
Mexico City bans plastic bags
The new law went into effect January 1. By 2021, the same law will ban handing out plastic straws, spoons, coffee capsules and other single-use items.
Jakarta to ban single-use plastic bags by June 2020
The regulation imposes a ban on single-use plastic bags in modern department stores, supermarkets, and traditional markets. It will also serve as a legal basis for the usage of eco-friendly bags in stores and markets.
Oxford City Council sets £19 million budget for climate crisis
Oxford City Council will set a Climate Emergency Budget that commits over £1 million additional operational funding and £18 million of capital investment to address the climate emergency.
Los Angeles libraries will stop collecting late fees for overdue books
The city will stop collecting fines for past-due books and other materials this spring, part of a larger effort to make the 73-branch library system more welcoming to the city’s neediest residents.
Helsinki and Valladolid join dozens of cities worldwide committed to net zero buildings
By signing the Commitment, the cities pledge that all buildings in their cities will meet the target by 2050.
Kansas City becomes first major American city with universal fare-free public transit
Free bus service, which is expected to cost about $8 million, has been pitched as a major help to low-income residents who rely on transit to commute to work.
Yokohama recognizes partnerships for LGBT couples
The city of Yokohama near Tokyo began issuing certificates recognizing the partnerships of sexual minority and common-law couples on Monday.
Glasgow commits to being free of ‘unnecessary’ plastics by 2030
Glasgow has announced a new goal of completely eliminating all unnecessary plastics by the year 2030 and eliminate all single use plastics by 2022.
Hong Kong voters deliver landslide victory for pro-democracy campaigners
Hong Kong’s voters have delivered an unprecedented landslide for pro-democracy candidates in local elections, in a powerful show of solidarity with the city’s protest movement and rebuke to the government over its handling of the crisis.