Amersfoort in the Netherlands was awarded the title of City of the Year. Photos of a picturesque European corner
The Academy of Urban Studies has recently determined the winner of the European City of the Year competition. The international title was awarded to Amersfoort in the Netherlands.
The jury praised the city for its high quality of life, progressive planning and innovation while preserving its unique heritage and character. The post on the Academy's X page, which used to be Twitter, says that Amersfoort focuses on the well-being and happiness of its citizens.
The winner of the rating is located in the center of the Netherlands, the province of Utrecht. Surprisingly, few people are familiar with it. The city is small, ancient and very beautiful.
About 150 thousand people live in Amersfoort and every year it is not buried in tourists, so the rest here is always cozy and calm.
The Academy of Urbanism jury evaluated sustainable development, planning, and how well all processes in the city are managed.
The settlement has been praised for its high standard of living. It is described as a city with quaint medieval streets, beautiful canals, and lively squares.
Amersfoort is also one of the largest Dutch railway junctions with three stations: Amersfoort Centraal, Schothorst and Vathorst.