Other nominees in the running for this year’s ‘European City of the Year’ included Estepona (Spain) and Exeter (England) — but they proved to be no match for the Netherlands’ Amersfoort.
Yup, good ol’ Amersfoort stole the show, snatching up the award for best European city in 2023. 👑
High-quality uniqueness
After a trip to the charming city in the province of Utrecht, the jury of the Academy of Urbanism decided it was the best in Europe. 🙌
How did they reach this decision? By taking into account factors such as “urban development qualities, social cohesion, sustainability and how the city is governed”, the AD reports.
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Plus, lead assessor Jon Phipps cited Amersfoort’s “quality of life”, “innovation”, and “unique character” as some of the city’s stand-out features.
Amersfoort is basically a utopia
So, what makes this medieval Dutch city so great? All in all, it’s the happiness of its citizens. 🌟
Unlike in other Dutch cities, inhabitants don’t have the weight of a housing crisis on their shoulders; and homes are actually more affordable than in many other places!
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Even the air smells sweeter in Amersfoort — literally, as it’s not being clouded by carbon dioxide. Yup, the city takes active steps to limit the amount of car use in its vicinity.
Amersfoort’s Mayor Lucas Bolsius is delighted by their win, explaining that Amersfoort has “grown enormously in the past fifty years, but the history and people have always remained central”.
Isn’t it wholesome? 🧡
Are you surprised by this year’s ‘European City of the Year’? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
I lived in Amersfoort from my 9 to 18 year and loved it. How much I discovered when I left for studies. Since then I lived 30 years in other cities, but I still consider myself Amersfoorter. It’s as city that has become part of you. Green, beautiful old city centre, beautiful modern living quarters. Even the cheap low income apartments are located in beautiful surroundings. It’s very central in the country, but close the rural parts too. The best of both worlds. Or the best of the world.