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International monitor of urban approaches dealing with COVID-19 Edition 7, 29th of June 2020
If you would like to know more about an example in this monitor, have an additional question, or would like to receive the monitor by email in the future, please let us know via: internationaloffice@amsterdam.nl This fortnightly monitor aims to provide an overall picture of measures taken by other cities in Europe and beyond in response to the coronavirus outbreak. Different domains are discussed, and all examples focus on their relevance to cities and specifically Amsterdam. This document also contains an overview of EU measures and of information sources relevant to cities. For more information on the Amsterdam approach of the coronavirus, please check this link.
The previous monitor focused primarily on the answers or one-size-fits-all solutions from other
easing of measures in cities across the world. cities, this Monitor retains a keen focus on the
Since, as in many other cities, the easing of international trends that will also come to affect
measures in Amsterdam has so far not resulted our city.
in a tangible rise in the number of infections,
questions regarding the long term are becom- It is also striking that organisations are using
ing ever more pressing. This also means that the COVID-19 crisis to initiate transition from
there is now greater scope to explore how our wide range of perspectives. C40, for example,
approach to COVID-19 affects values other than is doing this in the field of sustainability, but
public health in cities, such as human rights and we are also witnessing the trend in the socio-
the right to protest. In this Monitor, we will economic field. Previous Monitors identified
examine the course of protests in other cities how a number of cities are seeking a new
following the death of George Floyd, and how balance regarding tourism. The crisis is being
COVID-19 is affecting human rights in a country seen as an opportunity to review economic
such as Brazil. activities in cities, which means that the
relationship between the government and the
Other recurring long-term concerns are focused market changes, as reflected in the changes to
on economic impact and consequences for the European regulations regarding state support.
labour market, which are also tangible in cities
around the world. While there are no easy
Content Human rights in times of COVID-19 5 Economy Right to protest vs Right to health in Europe 6 Democratization and local economy 34 Protests in the United States 8 Organising festivals 37 Protest in Australia 9 Nightlife and culture 38 Social Domain EU Impact on refugees and migrants in the EU 13 European funding 40 Report from Brazil by Joëlke Offringa 16 Europe launches new EU4Health plan 42 Dutch labour market 19 Overview of relevant resources 44 Working from home in Europea 21 International students 22 Impact on young people 23 Physical Domain Mobility in Europe 26 Cities call for urban mobility 27 Mobility in de United States 28 International travel 29 C40 City Network 30
Human rights in times of COVID-19
Very soon after the WHO had of emergency, or hastily introduced On 14 April, Clément Nyaletsossi
labelled the COVID-19 outbreak a emergency legislation. Voule, the UN Special Rapporteur on
pandemic, human rights organisations the rights to freedom of peaceful
were warning of the potential On 7 April, the Council of Europe assembly and association, presented
consequences of the crisis for human presented a Toolkit for member states: 10 guidelines. Under these principles,
rights and civil liberties. Respecting democracy, rule of law and restrictions to protect public health are
human rights in the framework of the justified, but they must be necessary,
Exceptional times call for exceptional COVID-19 sanitary crisis legal and proportional.
measures: across the world, govern-
ments have introduced drastic On 6 March, UN High Commissioner Amnesty International also addresses
measures to control the COVID-19 for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet the ways in which the COVID-19
situation. This has impacted rights that called for human rights to be pandemic affects human rights.
are enshrined in international treaties respected, also in times of COVID-19 Researchers emphasise the risk of
such as the International Covenant or under a state of emergency: infection during protests or, conversely,
on Civil and Political Rights, the ‘Lockdowns, quarantines and other suggest that the risk is limited.
International Covenant on Economic, such measures to contain and combat
Social and Cultural Rights and the the spread of COVID-19 should always
European Convention on Human be carried out in strict accordance with
Rights, as well as national (fundamental) human rights standards and in a way
rights. This often happens following that is necessary and proportionate to
a hastily announced national state the evaluated risk’.
International monitor of urban approaches dealing with COVID-19 Edition 7, 29th of June 2020 Page 5 of 45
The right to protest
versus the right to health in Europe
Amsterdam was one of the first cities Vienna Paris
to see such a large turnout. The fol- On 5 June, one of the largest protests In France, it is not the mayor but
lowing weekend, protests all around in recent years was held in Vienna. the préfet who is responsible for
the world attracted many thousands Instead of the expected 3,000 public order and security in cities and
of people, which resulted in further protesters, more than 50,000 people provinces. The préfet is the head of the
debate on the right to protest in took part. This meant that it was not Préfecture de Police, which is overseen
times of COVID-19. Some examples possible to comply with the 1 metre by the Ministry of the Interior.
of responses from other cities. distancing rule.
The Mayor of Paris therefore has
In Austria, the Minister of the Interior no authority regarding public order
and the national police are responsible and the right to protest. Discussions
for matters of public order. In Vienna, of public health versus the right to
too, the right to protest ultimately protest were not ignited in all cities
prevailed. In the words of the police which hosted protests.
chief in command “Despite not
keeping the safe distance, there was In France, the debate on the
no reason to dissolve the meeting.” potential spread of the virus during
protests was less heated. Politicians
on the Right did criticise the protests
being permitted, but this was not front
page news.
International monitor of urban approaches dealing with COVID-19 Edition 7, 29th of June 2020 Page 6 of 45
Madrid
In Spain, the right to protest is enshrined in the constitution. In Madrid, the authorities permitted a protest involving
Protests must be reported to the provincial/regional no more than 200 people. But thousands attended the
authorities in advance, who – based on local police protest. Nonetheless, the authorities did not intervene.
information and recommendations made by the local Neither did they intervene in Barcelona.
authorities – grant permission. The Public Safety Act
introduced in 2015 bans unplanned protests and includes Local authorities believe that the right to protest is too
large fines for failing to give notice of protests in advance. important, and there were no disturbances. The protests
directly concerned racism and the position of migrants in
In recent weeks, anti-racism protests were held in a large Spain. There was little criticism from traditional media or
number of Spanish cities. In the majority of cities, it was opposition parties regarding allowing or preventing the
possible to maintain the 2 metre distance required in Spain, protests. There was some criticism on social media.
but this was impossible in Madrid and Barcelona due to the
large turnout of several thousands of protesters. Most of
them did wear face masks.
International monitor of urban approaches dealing with COVID-19 Edition 7, 29th of June 2020 Page 7 of 45
Protests
in the United States
Partly in light of the fact that the Since the death of George Floyd, George Floyd was commemorated
around the world, even in Syria.
division of powers often differs from protests have been held in more Photo: Omar Haj Kadour/AFP - Getty Images
state to state, it is not possible to than 140 cities.
offer a uniform, factual impression The authorities in some cities expressly
of the approach adopted towards highlight the risk of the virus spreading regarding COVID-19, not explicitly
protests in the United States, certainly at large protests, while other cities in the context of the protests. In the
not during the COVID-19 crisis. communicated more general warnings media, public health experts fairly
regularly express their concerns
regarding the impact of the protests
on the development of the COVID-19
infection curve.
In Project Syndicate, physician and
journalist Akash Goel provided an
almost poetic articulation of the
dilemma of balancing the right to
protest with protecting public health:
“The irony is that the protest refrain
I can’t breathe” has nothing to do
with COVID-19. Rather, it is the cry of
Simbarashe Cha
an entire people suffocating under the
for The New York Times
collective knee of racism”.
International monitor of urban approaches dealing with COVID-19 Edition 7, 29th of June 2020 Page 8 of 45
Protest in Australia In Australia, it is not the local authorities but the provinces (states) that are responsible. Lockdown measures were also introduced in Australia, and the dilemma of balancing public health with the right to freedom of opinion/right to protest is also a topical concern in the country. This did not dissuade large numbers of protesters from taking to the streets. On Saturday 6 June, there were protests in various major cities and in countless smaller rural towns. The The difficulty of decision-making on this New South Wales. The court upheld protests in Sydney and Melbourne matter is indicated by the government the decision taken by the government. attracted tens of thousands of of New South Wales (NSW) banning However, the appeal against this protesters. Another factor in Australia the Sydney protest due to COVID-19. decision at the Court of Appeal was is that the Aboriginals are discriminated In NSW, meetings of more than 500 upheld. The protest was therefore against, are over-represented in prisons people are forbidden. The ban was legally permitted. and often fall victim to police brutality. challenged at the Supreme Court of International monitor of urban approaches dealing with COVID-19 Edition 7, 29th of June 2020 Page 9 of 45
Londen, Engeland Graffiti by street artist Lionel Stanhope on a bridge in Ladywell in South East London. Photo by Matt Dunham/AP International monitor of urban approaches dealing with COVID-19 Edition 7, 29th of June 2020 Page 10 of 45
Athene, Griekenland
Graffiti by 16-year-old artist SF
on a rooftop in Athens.
More street art >
Photo by Aris Messinis/AFP/Getty Images
International monitor of urban approaches dealing with COVID-19 Edition 7, 29th of June 2020 Page 11 of 45Social domain
Impact on refugees and migrants in the EU
Interview Agnese Papadia of DG Home and Migration at the European Commission
How do you see that the corona There are specific concerns about the
crisis has impacted migrants and situation of migrant children who may
refugees in the EU? fall behind in language learning and
COVID-19 affects us all, but are often in households where the
some individuals and groups are parents may not be able to work from
particularly vulnerable because home. Disparities in living conditions
of their general health and socio- and access to digital devices might also
economic situation. hinder learning for migrant pupils.
Disadvantaged migrants are At the same time, many of those
particularly vulnerable to the making it possible for all of us to
disease due to their relatively get through the crisis are migrants.
limited access to information and Around 13% of “key workers” in the
protection measures such as self- response to COVID-19 in Europe are
distancing, due in particular to born outside the EU and in certain
poor housing conditions, or access occupations their contribution is
to culturally sensitive health care. particularly large, including in the
Refugees and other migrants are health sector.
more likely to have temporary
contracts and are more exposed
to the risk of unemployment.
International monitor of urban approaches dealing with COVID-19 Edition 7, 29th of June 2020 Page 13 of 45Have you seen good examples from cities or member states with regard to the inclusion and/or protection of migrants and refugees during the corona crisis? We have seen many good examples on how national governments, regions and cities are reaching out to migrants’ communities, inform, and support them in this time of crisis. On our European Website on Integration we collected many interesting examples and materials that we hope can serve of inspiration and help. For example, in Portugal, the municipality of Odemira has prepared 500 quarantine places in case any migrant agricultural worker needs to be isolated. The Portuguese government has also published guidance on access to the national health service for migrants, refugees and professionals who provide care and support. The document helps ensure that migrants and refugees are able to obtain health care. The region of Catalonia has published, with the help of volunteers and civil society organisations, information about COVID-19 and recommendations on what people need to In Sweden, a non-profit organisation has launched an online do in 18 different languages. They have also prepared audio initiative that sets up virtual meetings between a newcomer recordings about COVID-19 in 35 different languages, which and a Swede, helping to tackle both the newcomer’s need to can be shared through social media. The civil society has also continue language training and the need of both participants been very active. to stay connected to others. International monitor of urban approaches dealing with COVID-19 Edition 7, 29th of June 2020 Page 14 of 45
What actions does DG Home and Mi-
gration take or is planning to take to
support migrants and refugees during
the corona crisis?
The Commission is working on several
fronts to address the needs arising
from the Covid-19 crisis and support
migrants and refugees.
In April, the Commission has issued
guidance with practical advice on
how to ensure continuity of asylum
procedures as much as possible while 1,600 unaccompanied minors will be Only together can we achieve a recove-
fully ensuring the protection of people’s relocated in the coming months. ry that builds on the skills and potential
health and fundamental rights in line of migrants while taking their needs
with the EU Charter of Fundamental Notwithstanding the challenges, the fully into account.
Rights. This guidance also included crisis and the recovery phase that will
elements on return and on resettlement follow can represent also an occasion Agnese Papadia works as a policy
operations. to make our societies more inclusive advisor at DG Home and Migration
and cohesive. The Commission will at the European Commission. This
Moreover, the Commission has put in strengthen the work on integration part of the Commission is responsible
place a new process to support the in the upcoming months to ensure for, among others, migration and
protection and care of unaccompanied that we seize this opportunity. We will integration policy. •
migrant children including by relocating closely involve cities, regions and other
them from the Greek islands to other key stakeholders in the definition of
Member States. The first relocations our upcoming initiatives in the field of
have already taken place. A total of integration.
International monitor of urban approaches dealing with COVID-19 Edition 7, 29th of June 2020 Page 15 of 45Report from Brazil by Joëlke Offringa Joëlke Offringa has been working in Brazil since 1993. She heads the Instituto Plataforma Brasil, which has represented the Anne Frank House in Brazil since 2006 and has cooperated with the Cruyff Court Ermelino Matarazzo in the city of São Paulo for 10 years. Thousands of children attend lessons there every week. Young people inspired by the project are now taking the lead in implementing changes in the favela Alemoa-Santos where they live. This includes social employment projects. In 2016, Mayor of Amsterdam, Eberhard van der Laan presented Joëlke with the Frans Banninck Cocq Medal for her work for underprivileged youth in Brazil. We have taken the same approach in of necessity. There are currently Anne time! Social distancing is bringing us even the current crisis: supporting the most Frank Hubs at six locations in Brazil, where closer together, because it doesn’t matter vulnerable groups and continuing to people organise training courses and whether someone lives next door to me or encourage children and young people. In meetings with young people. But now 3000 km away. this way we have tried to make a virtue they are taking place at home for the first International monitor of urban approaches dealing with COVID-19 Edition 7, 29th of June 2020 Page 16 of 45
And that is no luxury in a country with Violent actions appear to be encouraged
increasingly fascist tendencies. In May rather than curbed, and there are
alone, 204 new social media and web increasing calls to further arm the local
pages with neo-Nazi content were population. Figures on police violence
launched in Brazil, and a total of 334 were omitted at the launch of a recent
active neo-Nazi cells were identified report on human rights in Brazil.
in the country in 2019. The pandemic Meanwhile, we have many of our own
seems to magnify everything that has George Floyds here, such as João Pedro
been simmering partly below the surface. Mattos Pinto, a 14-year-old black boy who
The COVID-19 crisis in Brazil is exposing was killed in his home during a police raid
a government that does not seem of the Complexo de Salgueiro in Rio. More
particularly concerned about its people than 70 bullets were fired.
and is using the moment to push through
elements of its own agenda, including the There is a great deal of conflict between
loosening of environmental legislation. the federal state and municipal authorities
The first major online project, using the about the best way to tackle this crisis,
diary of Anne Frank to encourage about And indeed: the Amazon jungle is which has already claimed more than
14,000 pupils to read and write, will start being cleared faster than ever before. 50,000 victims, figures similar to those for
in Belo Horizonte soon. Local young peo- Last year was already a year of extreme the war with Paraguay, the bloodiest in
ple will help with teacher training and deforestation, which the whole world Brazil’s history. The next elections appear
preparation. The young people will orga- campaigned against, and the clearing has to play a key role against the background
nise all kinds of online events, lectures and increased this year (12% more clearing of political confrontations, and a gradual
conversations to learn more about issues in May of this year than in May 2019). opening is being planned at the peak
that concern them the most at this time. In 2019, almost 99% of the clearing was of the pandemic. On top of that, in São
How do I deal with all my emotions during illegal, and this brutal invasion is a direct Paulo, education comes last.
social isolation? And also to understand threat to the indigenous population,
more about Anne Frank, the historical con- especially those who have never had any As far as our own activities are concerned,
text and the link to Brazil today. contact with Western civilisation and do it is not yet clear whether government
not have immunity to the common flu. funding will come through. In Rio, the
governor has been accused of diverting
International monitor of urban approaches dealing with COVID-19 Edition 7, 29th of June 2020 Page 17 of 45funds for an emergency hospital to But, for the first time, I wonder whether it possible. And if that is the most sensible
himself. But the context is not entirely is best to keep working hard in the current option, how do you do it; take a step back
clear yet, because the police raid of his crisis and try to make the shift upwards, or at a time when needs are so high?
home may have been a counter-move by should we take a step back for now, and
the federal government. wait to see what emerges from the chaos Read more
before reacting to it? And then use with about Instituto Plataforma Brasil.
Meanwhile, our team is growing tired our energy and resources as effectively as
and drained after months working online,
often with children at home and all the
uncertainty and consternation about what
is happening around us. The team has also
experienced loss and mourning, and that
is hitting closer to home. It has never been
more difficult to predict what the future
holds. Even though everyone is working
harder than ever, we decided to reduce
the income of the entire team by one-third
to enable us to keep going longer, at least
until the end of October.
In the meantime, we started receiving
assistance: the Johan Cruyff Foundation
provided emergency support and,
fortunately, the Anne Frank House is
continuing to support us this year. Last
year, Vopak gave us the award for their
best social project worldwide, which has
enabled us to get our young people online
this year with Wi-Fi access and mobile
phones.
International monitor of urban approaches dealing with COVID-19 Edition 7, 29th of June 2020 Page 18 of 45Dutch labour market in an international perspective
The Netherlands Bureau for Economic there is influence, but there are also
Policy Analysis (CPB) has examined other factors that affect the number of
the state of the Dutch labour market employed persons.
as a result of the coronavirus crisis
in an international perspective. It is According to the CPB, contact-
described in a ‘Corona Publication’. limiting measures in the Netherlands
Although the decline in the employed are comparable to those in many
workforce in the Netherlands in other Western European countries.
recent months is historically high, it The CPB calculations are based on
appears to be lower than in other The Oxford COVID-19 Government
countries. Response Tracker. The figures are a
weighted average of the following
The decline in the employed workforce indicators: school closures, workplace
in the Netherlands is lower (namely 14%, largely due to fewer government closures, event cancellations,
1.7%) than in many other Western measures to prevent dismissal. maximum group size, restriction
countries. Germany, Finland and Austria of public transport, information
saw their employed workforce decrease In Sweden, the decline in the employed campaigns, guidelines for staying at
by 1.8%, 2.9% and 3.6%, respectively. workforce was limited to 0.5%. Is there home, domestic mobility restrictions,
This percentage is much higher in a correlation between the strictness of international travel restrictions, level of
countries outside Europe: Canada and measures to combat coronavirus and testing and level of tracing.
the United States both saw a decline of the economy/labour market? Probably
International monitor of urban approaches dealing with COVID-19 Edition 7, 29th of June 2020 Page 19 of 45There are many European countries Bridging Measure for Sustained compensated by the government is that, like the Netherlands, have Employment (Tijdelijke Noodmaatregel 37% and in France the government focused on reduced working hours, Overbrugging voor Werkbehoud, compensates 50%. The Anglo-Saxon paid for by the government, in NOW) Thanks to the NOW measure, countries USA, Ireland, Australia and combination with stricter protection employers who are faced with a Canada do not offer so much contract against dismissal. In the Netherlands, turnover loss of at least 20% can apply protection, and instead have seen a 18% of those employed at the end of to the Employee Insurance Agency large increase in benefit claims. April were employed by companies (UWV) for compensation of 90% of making use of reduced working hours employees’ wages. In Switzerland, the For more information, see the full under the Temporary Emergency percentage of reduced working hours report (in Dutch). • International monitor of urban approaches dealing with COVID-19 Edition 7, 29th of June 2020 Page 20 of 45
Working from
home in Europe
All over the world, people have
started working from home en masse.
Everyone has different experiences in
this respect. The question is whether
working from home will become the In the Netherlands, 44% of employed from home effectively. This is influenced
new norm, even when it is no longer persons are working from home (some by factors such as: nature of the work;
necessary. What is happening in other or all of the time), according to the access to digital resources (internet and
countries? Knowledge Institute for Mobility Policy. owning a computer), and whether the
home situation allows people to work
An online survey conducted by When comparing countries, there from home. See the ILO policy brief for
Eurofound showed that 37% of are large differences between the more information.
employed persons in the EU are percentages of total employed persons
now working from home, due to the who work from home. What is certain is that being forced
pandemic. Eurostat had estimated to work from home may have made
that, before the coronavirus pandemic, According to research by the people aware of the benefits. Various
around 5% of employed persons International Labour Organization organisations, such as the ILO and
worked from home (based on a 2017 (ILO), in Italy 24% of employed persons the Organisation for Economic Co-
survey), whereas 57% could work should be able to work from home, operation and Development (OECD)
from home. Because of the pandemic, compared to 28% in France, 29% in see working from home as a future
this potential is now being seriously Germany and 31% in Sweden. Globally, trend.
explored for the first time. 18% of employed persons could work
International monitor of urban approaches dealing with COVID-19 Edition 7, 29th of June 2020 Page 21 of 45International students
and the COVID-19 crisis
International students at universities all over the world
were faced with a dilemma during the COVID-19 crisis:
return home or not? A survey carried out by the Erasmus
Student Network (ESN) shows that 40% of exchange
students have decided to return home.
Universities are doing their best to support students
who stay, but these students are experiencing increasing
loneliness and growing concerns in terms of money and of
progress made in their studies. ESN also found that 24% of
Italian students and 19% of Asian students have experienced
some form of discrimination since the start of the outbreak
due to their nationality.
Several universities, including the University of Cambridge,
In the US, international students are having problems making have decided to continue to provide online teaching until
ends meet. As their student visas prevent them from finding the summer of 2021. In Taipei, the city is already preparing
work off campus, they have no income. To help these for the compulsory quarantine of returning international
students, New York University has set up an emergency students.
fund, but the increase in costs and the cancelled lectures
mean that some are worried that they will no longer be There will be a decrease in the number of students choosing
able to pay their tuition fees. These tuition fees are often to study abroad, and therefore less money coming in for
considerably higher than those for national students, as in universities. However, in cities such as Amsterdam this will
the Netherlands. also ease the pressure on student housing.
International monitor of urban approaches dealing with COVID-19 Edition 7, 29th of June 2020 Page 22 of 45Impact of the COVID-19 crisis
Youth and COVID-19
on young people Response,
Recovery and Resilience
The COVID-19 crisis is having a large are more likely to work in sectors that
impact on young people (those born have been hard hit by the crisis, such
between 1990 and 2005). A recent- as catering and the entertainment in-
ly published OECD study describes dustry. The crisis will also lead to more
the toll that it is taking in the areas unemployment. Furthermore, a decre-
of education, employment, mental ase in income has a relatively bigger
health and disposable income. These impact on young people, as they often
young people are now experiencing have fewer savings.
a second major crisis that affects
them either directly (as a student or Unemployment at an early age also has TACKLING CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)
a job-seeker) or indirectly (impact on a big impact on the rest of a person’s CONTRIBUTING TO A GLOBAL EFFORT
their family). Most likely, therefore, working life. Young people who have
young people will bear the future bur- been out of a job for a long period of
den of the costs of this crisis. time are more likely to have a lower countries, this has worsened as a result
income, fewer career development of the COVID-19 crisis. People are also
Youth unemployment opportunities and poorer prospects for worried about disinformation regarding
Within OECD countries, an average of better jobs. corona, discrimination and public debts.
35% of young people (15-29 years old)
are in low paid and/or insecure jobs, Trust in government Involvement of young people in reco-
compared with 15% in the 30-50 age For some time, a lower level of trust very measures
group and 16% of the working popu- in the government has been noted The OECD makes an appeal to gover-
lation aged 51 and over. Young people among young people. In some OECD nments to prevent intergenerational
International monitor of urban approaches dealing with COVID-19 Edition 7, 29th of June 2020 Page 23 of 45TACKLING CORO
NAVIRUS (COVID-
CONTRIBUTING TO 19)
A GLOBAL EFFORT
inequality and to involve young people
in the decision-making process concern-
ing recovery measures. This will also
help increase young people’s trust in
the government.
Key policy message
s
How governments are involving
To build back bette
young people: r for all generations
governments shoul ,
■ The government of New Zealand has d consider:
published a number of surveys carried Applying a youth an
d intergenerationa
lens in crisis respon l
out among young people to provide measures across th
se and recovery
Promoting age dive
e public rsity in public
youth workers with information about administration. consultations and
state institutions
to reflect the need
the government’s approach; Updating national of different age co
s and concerns
youth strategies in horts in decision-
■ In many countries, explicit attention is collaboration with
youth stakeholder
s
making.
to translate politica
paid to intergenerational solidarity; actionable program
l commitment into
mes. Leveraging young
people’s current
■ The British Youth Council has called Partnering with na
mobilisation in miti
through existing m
gating the crisis
tional statistical echanisms, tools an
for the introduction of a dedicated offices and research
institutes to platforms (e.g. the
use of digital tools
d
gather disaggregate and data) to build
youth minister to ensure that young impact of the crisis
d evidence on the
against future shoc
resilience in societie
s
by age group to ks and disasters.
people’s voices are heard; track inequalities an
d inform decision-
making (in additio Aligning short-term
■ In Denmark, youth organizations factors such as sex,
n to other identity
educational and responses with inv
emergency
estments into
have been working together with the socio-economical
employment statu
background, and long-term econom
ic, social and
s). environmental objec
government during the COVID-19 well-being of futu
tives to ensure the
re generations.
Anticipating the di
crisis to provide practical advice to of rulemaking and
stributional effect
s Providing targeted
the allocation of policies and
young people. public resources ac
ross different age services for the m
ost vulnerable
cohorts by using im youth populations,
pact assessments including young
and creating or str people not in empl
engthening oyment, education
institutions to mon or training (NEETs);
itor the young migrants;
consequences on to homeless youth; an
day’s young and d young women,
future generations adolescents and ch
. ildren facing
increased risks of do
mestic violence.
International monitor of urban approaches dealing with COVID-19 Edition 7, 29th of June 2020 Page 24 of 45Physical Domain
Mobility
in Europe
Cycling cautions that the European Union,
The European Cyclists Federation has despite this decrease, is still not on
placed an interactive map, a summary track to achieve the target of cutting
and graphs on its website showing an road deaths by half in the decade
overview of European cities with plans between 2010 and 2020.
to implement measures to encourage
cycling. ETSC director Antonio Avenoso has
even warned that: “If we simply revert
For example, Rome has announced to business-as-usual after this crisis,
plans to develop 150 km of cycle lanes, the results could be even worse than
and Lisbon is planning to build 76.5 km before”. He is worried about the large
of cycle lanes. numbers of speeding offences being
reported as lockdowns are being lifted.
Traffic accidents
One result of the COVID-19 pandemic New EU legislation that puts in place
has been a sharp decrease in traffic stricter vehicle and infrastructure safety
accidents, as there are fewer people on standards may help, but the ETSC says
the road and more people choose to that much depends on “the detailed
cycle or walk. However, the European technical standards for the new laws,
Transport Safety Council (ETSC) which are currently being worked out”.
International monitor of urban approaches dealing with COVID-19 Edition 7, 29th of June 2020 Page 26 of 45Cities call for inclusion of urban
mobility in EU recovery package
EUROCITIES has written an open letter to the European Commission calling
for urban mobility to be made part of the Commission’s recovery package.
The letter emphasizes the role that The signatories of the letter call for:
the recovery plan could play in the ■ Green public procurement, in which
protection and renewal of public new and extended services should be
transport, as well as supporting the met with zero-emission vehicles;
development of infrastructure for ■ A portion of the CEF Digital budget
cycling and walking in urban areas. to be devoted to modernising public
transport;
The letter is addressed to Frans ■ Support for the development of
Timmermans, Executive Vice-President infrastructure for cycling and walking.
of the European Commission, also
responsible for the European Green
Deal, and Adina Vălean, European
Commissioner for Transport. The letter
was co-signed by the cities of Bonn,
Brussels, Dublin and Milan.
International monitor of urban approaches dealing with COVID-19 Edition 7, 29th of June 2020 Page 27 of 45Mobility
in de United States
Shared scooters back in Cleveland Crowd monitoring in buses Speaking softly and no phone calls on
Shared scooters are allowed back on Several cities in North America, public transport in New Jersey
the streets of Cleveland from 21 June. including Boston, New York and Laval In New Jersey new rules were drawn
The city has drawn up new coronavirus (Canada) are introducing apps and tools up for public transport to prevent the
protocols for shared-mobility compa- that allow public transport users to see spread of the coronavirus. The new
nies and their customers. how full the next metro or bus will be. guidelines appeal to passengers not to
speak too loudly on public transport
For example, companies must comply In Laval, this tool provides an estimate and to keep calls to a minimum.
with federal and local health regulations of the number of passengers on
and clean the scooters every time they board, both at the time of boarding The guidelines are based on Japanese
are charged or serviced. Users are and throughout the journey, based healthcare guidelines that appeal to
asked to wash their hands before and on information collected about past passengers not to have conversations
after the ride and to carefully clean journeys (i.e. the app does not provide in confined spaces, such as on public
those parts of the scooter that are real-time information). transport. Face masks also remain
frequently touched (such as handles) mandatory on public transport in
before they ride. In Boston they expect the app will be New Jersey.
able to provide real-time information
Shared bicycles will also soon return about the number of passengers
as part of Cleveland’s shared-mobility on buses. However, due to a lack of
system. modern sensors, the information for the
metro will be based on the number of
check-ins and check-outs at stations.
International monitor of urban approaches dealing with COVID-19 Edition 7, 29th of June 2020 Page 28 of 45International travel
EU reopens governments must be carried out before passengers come
The European Commission has introduced a web platform to the airport. This prevents infections spreading at airports
called ‘Re-open EU’ which provides information to facilitate and reduces waiting times and also means there is less risk
a safe relaunch of the free movement of persons and the of arriving passengers testing positive for COVID-19 and
tourism industry in Europe. The platform aims to allow having to be sent back to their destination.
people to confidently plan trips and holidays for the coming
summer and beyond. It provides up-to-date information on Mallorca coronavirus measures tested
border formalities, the availability of public transport, travel As part of a pilot, almost 200 passengers from Germany
restrictions, public health, and safety requirements (e.g. arrived in Mallorca on 15 June to test the measures to
wearing face masks and keeping sufficient distance). prevent the spread of COVID-19. Germany and Spain
reached this agreement because both countries are currently
Testing passengers for coronavirus in a similar stage of the pandemic. Spain reopened its
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has borders to all European Member States and Schengen
stipulated that the coronavirus testing often required by countries on June 21.
International monitor of urban approaches dealing with COVID-19 Edition 7, 29th of June 2020 Page 29 of 45C40 City Network
Added value during coronavirus crisis
Amsterdam is a member of the C40 City Network. On Monday 22 June we action to provide support to cities
interviewed the C40’s Deputy Director for Europe, Stelios Diakoulakis. We around the world. This support
talked to him about the C40’s response to the coronavirus. currently takes two forms:
1. C40 and Amsterdam new Chair and Mayor of Los Angeles I. Knowledge sharing and advice
The C40 is an international network Eric Garcetti enshrined in the Global The C40’s existing networks and
of 96 cities that are actively engaged Green New Deal that was announced programmes have been used
in addressing climate change. . The at the C40 Summit in 2019. intensively to share successful
200+ staff members of the C40 help As a member of the C40, Amsterdam examples and experiences on the
cities to cooperate and share their has collaborated in drawing up the website (knowledge hub) aand
knowledge, among others through Circular Strategy and participates in a through the provision of webinars.
various programmes and networks. climate adaptation forum.
This is a strong network that, together The choice of themes for the webinars
with the mayors, further ensures that 2. Response to the coronavirus and research conducted by C40
the urban perspective on climate Twelve Chinese cities are also staff was determined based on the
change is given plenty of attention in members of the C40 network. As a questions the cities themselves put
the political arena. result, the C40 was quickly aware forward. Experts and relevant cities
of the impact of the coronavirus were involved in the various activities
C40 increases its impact by working crisis in the Chinese cities. When the based on these questions. As a result,
together with companies, NGOs, global spread of the coronavirus crisis within a few days after the start of the
youth organizations and other became apparent in early March, lock-downs various cities were already
networks. This is the vision of its the C40 was able to take immediate communicating with each other about
International monitor of urban approaches dealing with COVID-19 Edition 7, 29th of June 2020 Page 30 of 45‘’The Covid-19 pandemic has created the momentum
to have the discussion on how we would proceed as a
society. We should not return to ‘normal’, our goal is to
build a better, more sustainable, more resilient and fairer
society out of the recovery from the COVID-19 crisis’
Stelios Diakoulakis,
Deputy Director for Europe, C40
their approaches to issues such as were organised to discuss how the city creating a better, more sustainable and
public transport, promotion of walking administrators could respond during fairer society, rather than returning to
& cycling, food policies and economic the coronavirus crisis. The mayoral ‘the old ways’. The results of the Task
recovery. This helped them to formulate meetings led to an initiative in mid- Force will be published this summer
new and/or temporary policies to April to establish a Mayoral Taskforce and will not only describe what needs
respond to the crisis and help them in (led by Milan) dedicated to a healthy to be changed, but also how. The
the recovery. and sustainable future society. results of the Task Force clearly and
strongly promote the idea of a green
II. Political and administrative The mayors will deploy their recovery in which social factors play an
Administrative action was also taken administrative clout to encourage important role.
immediately. Four meetings for mayors coronavirus recovery plans aimed at
International monitor of urban approaches dealing with COVID-19 Edition 7, 29th of June 2020 Page 31 of 45The C40 recognises that the corona- Access to C40 expertise and networks The top priority of C40 is the D2020 virus has brought about a permanent If you want more information, you can program which sets the level of com- change. The coronavirus crisis has visit the C40’s website to view the var- mitment and ambition of its members shown that there is even more urgency ious thematic programmes and net- to keep global heating below the 1.5°C behind their message and that social works. There you can also read more goal of the Paris Agreement and to de- health also needs to be given a promi- about the various C40 statements that velop integrated and inclusive Climate nent position in the green recovery. have been published on the themes. Plans. The D2020 commitment is open “This a unique opportunity for global If you want to get in touch with the C40 to non-C40 members as well, and that cities to shape the future, to use all our or one of its cities, or if you have any is why C40 has made its CAP tools and instruments and power to demand that questions about the C40, each member methodologies publicly available on the governments make green recovery their city will have a point of contact. C40 Resource Centre. • aim, but also to help and support each other.” Stelios Diakoulakis, Deputy Director for Europe, C40 International monitor of urban approaches dealing with COVID-19 Edition 7, 29th of June 2020 Page 32 of 45
Economy
Democratization and local economy
Interview Martin O’Neill en Joe Guinan: Community Wealth Building
Martin O’Neill and Joe Guinan are both political economists and the authors
of The Case for Community Wealth Building, in which they explain their
views on how democratic participation can be a driving force behind a more
equitable economic development. They also published an analysis of the way
in which Amsterdam could kick-start the local economy in the wake of the
COVID-19 crisis.
Can you explain how democratization We are convinced that economic
could contribute to local economic development should support this effort,
development, in your opinion? rather leaving it to the big companies.
What we call Community Wealth The local community should be able to
Building begins with considering the co-determine the direction of economic
practical challenges at a local level, development.
also in terms of policy. We do that
from a normative perspective: how How do you believe the COVID-19
can we build a fairer, more sustainable, crisis will impact the local economy?
more democratic community? What People still underestimate what the
part should the government play in economic impact of the crisis will
addressing these challenges? be. We cannot possibly return to the
International monitor of urban approaches dealing with COVID-19 Edition 7, 29th of June 2020 Page 34 of 45old situation. We must not allow the either increase existing inequality or
direction of this crisis to be determined lead to a new strategy by ensuring
by whoever has the deepest pockets. It that private investment will play a less
is not the big companies that should be influential role. Procurement can play
receiving huge subsidies and support an important part in this respect.
packages. Right now, it’s the people
who are hardest hit who need to be We do not necessarily have to buy
supported. everything from businesses, for
example, some services could be
There is also a real risk that big regulated publicly. Give citizens a
investors will take advantage of the chance to set up their own cooperative
crisis to buy out small failing businesses for larger purchasing processes, for
at far too low a price. The property instance.
market faces the same risk.
We tend to have a rather instrumental
What role could local government take on the role of local government.
play in promoting a different kind of But local government can also play a
economy? distributive role and use the various
Joe Guinan
The corona crisis is also an opportunity tools available to ensure that we have
to consider a different approach to more ownership of the city and that
local economic development and the economy is geared more towards a
to give the local community a more democratic society.
important role. The crisis is certain to
destabilise, but what is uncertain is
which way the balance will tip.
What the government does now will
International monitor of urban approaches dealing with COVID-19 Edition 7, 29th of June 2020 Page 35 of 45Do you have any examples of how to change fundamentally. Amsterdam
this has been done in other cities? used to be quite dependent on
Procurement alone is not going to save tourism, a situation which we may never
the world. Reshaping the economy witness again.
calls for a city-wide strategy. A fine
example is the London Industrial And how does that contribute to one
Strategy of the 1980s, in which citizens, of our biggest concerns right now:
local businesses, scientists and the unemployment?
local government and public services The first question with regard to local
collectively set up a local food supply economic development is: What
chain to ensure that the poorest in are our main objectives? Such as
the community still had enough to eat accessible health care for everyone,
during the economic crisis of the time. green energy and electric transport.
We could do something similar here Those are the sectors in which you
now, such as the production of medical need to bring the business community
goods. and citizens together, and encourage
the development of cooperatives with
A city-wide analysis should be small funding programmes. That would
conducted in which Amsterdam enable local government to play a part Martin O’Neill
identifies its own strengths and in creating new jobs to replace those
weaknesses and, particularly, which that have recently been lost, in sectors
sectors the city needs in order to that would generate more value in the
develop. Such an analysis should look city than, say, polluting air traffic.
at more than ways to attract as much
money from abroad as possible. Now is the time to do this, with the EU
relaxing government aid regulations.
It is dangerous to only consider the This would be the right moment to
short term when the economy is set implement revolutionary change. •
International monitor of urban approaches dealing with COVID-19 Edition 7, 29th of June 2020 Page 36 of 45Organising festivals
during the corona crisis
Great Southern Nights in Sydney Exit-Festival in Novi Sad (Serbia)
The government of New South The Serbian government has granted
Wales (NSW) has launched an permission for the famous Serbian
initiative together with ARIA, a trade EXIT-festival to go ahead this year in
organisation for Australian record labels Novi Sad. The festival dates have been
and companies, to organise the ‘Great moved from July to August. The festival
Southern Nights’ festival in Sydney and started 20 years ago as a student
its surrounding area. movement fighting for democracy and
freedom in Serbia and the Balkans - a
With this initiative they aim to stage so-called ‘exit strategy’ from a decade
no fewer than 1,000 Covid-safe live of isolation and civil war in the 1990s.
performances in November. Artists and
event venues across the state can still The reason why the organisers allowed Concrete details are as yet unknown.
register to take part in the festival. the 20th edition to go ahead is to show We do know one thing for sure though,
that it is time this pandemic is brought which is that the maximum number of
The organisers hope ‘Great Southern to an end across the world. festival goers will be reduced and that
Nights’ will help revive the live music only 90% of the original space will be
industry and at the same time boost the The festival is being organised in accessible as festival ground. Tickets
local culture sector. collaboration with the local health went on sale on 1 June, and there are
authorities, the government and the no restrictions for visitors from other
Ministry of Health. European countries.
International monitor of urban approaches dealing with COVID-19 Edition 7, 29th of June 2020 Page 37 of 45Nightlife
and culture
Concerns about incidents UK Belgium Ireland
The INA (International Nightlife Associ- Crowds have also been a problem in The draft version of the new
ation) has warned authorities about an Brussels. After bars closed at 1 am, government programme for Ireland
increase in the number of illegal parties in line with the lockdown regulations, contains important promises to the
owing to the lack of night-life venues. hundreds of bar customers gathered cultural sector. On 14 June, the Irish
This month saw several such ‘quaran- for an improvised carnival celebration government announced a 25 million
tine raves’ in the United Kingdom, with at a site in Anderlecht. euros recovery package for the arts and
thousands of people gathering who culture sector.
hardly observed any health and safety The police decided against dispersing
precautions, if at all. the party-goers forcibly and ended the The package includes scholarship
festivities without anyone being fined. programmes for young artists, support
In Manchester, one person was killed After the weekend, the Brussels-Ixelles programmes for festivals, amateur
and fights broke out. The Mayor of police district announced they would theatre and musicals. Night mayors
Greater Manchester has announced be deploying twice as many officers to have also been appointed in the cities
that the police will take firmer action to enforce crowd gathering regulations of Dublin and Cork. There will be a
prevent a summer full of illegal raves. more strictly. vote on 26 June, following which the
There have also been reports of illegal final government programme will be
parties in Amsterdam. The hospitality union thinks it’s time to adopted.
consider reopening Belgian night-life.
More checks would only lead to more
illegal parties. The hospitality union is
also calling for later closing times.
International monitor of urban approaches dealing with COVID-19 Edition 7, 29th of June 2020 Page 38 of 45EU
European
funding
Preparations for the new Multiannual
Financial Framework (MFF) – the co-financing from the EU budget. The fund must be geared towards creating
European budget – for 2021-2027 Commission is also making it easier a green and digital future for the EU.
are currently in full swing. In addition to reallocate budgets within grant The previous Monitor discussed the
to the proposal for the MFF and programmes to other priorities. As part nature of the fund in more detail.
the associated Green Deal, the of the Initiative, Member States are
European Commission has launched required to contribute at least the same Next Generation EU funding is
two programmes in response to the amount for each euro paid out by the allocated to Member States, after
coronavirus crisis: the Coronavirus Commission. which it can be used by cities. In some
Response Investment Initiative I and cases, cities may also apply for funding
II, and the Recovery Fund. Recovery Fund: Next Generation EU directly (as with the Horizon Europe
Naast het nieuwe MFK voorstel In programme). Key programmes and
Coronavirus Response Investment addition to the new MFF proposal, funds for cities within Next Generation
Initiative Plus the Commission also announced a EU include: REACT-EU, Just Transition
The Coronavirus Response Investment €750 billion recovery fund called Fund, Invest.EU, EU4Health and
Initiative, worth €37 billion, has been Next Generation EU. The fund can Horizon Europe.
set up to support the hardest-hit areas be granted or lent to Member States
of the economy. All coronavirus-related and is intended to help alleviate the The European heads of government
expenditure is eligible for funding. impact of the coronavirus crisis. These discussed the proposal on Friday 19
Of the total funding, €8 billion will additional resources will be allocated June. This meeting, held by video-
come from unallocated cohesion through existing EU programmes. conference, was a first exchange of
policy funding and €29 billion from Investments made using the recovery views.
International monitor of urban approaches dealing with COVID-19 Edition 7, 29th of June 2020 Page 40 of 45The Commission plans to make €250 the resilience of national economies. INVEST.EU
billion of the recovery fund available as Member States have to apply for The Invest.EU programme offers an EU
loans and €500 billion as subsidies. funding. budget guarantee to support invest-
ment and access to financing in the EU
The Netherlands, Sweden, Austria REACT-EU up to an expected total of €650 billion.
and Denmark argue, however, that the Between now and 2022 an additional Additional funds have been added to
package should consist of loans only. €55 billion will be added to the current Invest.EU in the context of Next Gen-
There are also disagreements regard- cohesion policy programmes. Funding eration EU. The fund will support four
ing the allocation key to be used for will be distributed based on the socio- policy areas: Sustainable infrastructure;
the recovery fund; the Commission pro- economic impact of the crisis, taking Research, innovation and digitisation;
poses to distribute funds according to into account rising levels of (youth) Small and medium-sized enterprises;
the pre-crisis economic situation, while unemployment and relative prosperity and Social investment and skills.
some Member States, including the in Member States.
Netherlands, think that the economic
impact of COVID-19 should be taken Just Transition Fund Horizon Europe
into account. The Commission has made a proposal An additional €13.5 billion will be
to increase this fund to €40 billion added to the EU’s research and
Many government leaders want to see in order to help Member States development programme budget,
an agreement before the end of July. accelerate the transition to climate bringing it up to €94.4 billion. This
The next summit will take place in neutrality. It is currently unclear as to budget is typically channelled into
mid-July. whether cities such as Amsterdam will specific funds that may also be of
be able to access this funding. interest to cities for innovative projects
European Recovery and Resilience ina wide range of policy areas.
Facility
This programme provides financial
support for investments and reforms, If you wish to know more, contact the
particularly those related to the European Subsidies Team at
green and digital transition and to internationaloffice@amsterdam.nl.
International monitor of urban approaches dealing with COVID-19 Edition 7, 29th of June 2020 Page 41 of 45You can also read
