Following in the footsteps of Stockholm (Sweden), Hamburg (Germany) and Vitoria-Gasteiz (Spain), Nantes is Green Capital of the European Union for 2013, preceding Copenhagen in 2014.

This award recognises and rewards the work and efforts of Nantes Métropole in the field of environmental protection and planned development of the metropolis over more than twenty years. Resolutely turned towards the future, France's 6th city, won over the jury with it high-performance, innovative solutions, notably in terms of mobility, climate, water and biodiversity.

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A new trend for sophisticated, luxurious homely comfort is developing in the world of high-end accommodation. More and more executives are now opting for the home-from-home experience offered by serviced apartments. At the highest level, these apartments combine all the comforts of home with the benefits of a five-star hotel. They are lavish, fully equipped with high-quality kitchens, spacious bedrooms and spa-style bathrooms. Serviced apartments are popular for short-term or long-term stays, but they can also be bought, and there are some very swanky offerings now on the market.

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Since the first accumulation of hunter-gatherers into villages many thousand years ago, urbanisation has been ongoing and regular. About half of the world's population now live in urban areas, and it is predicted that by 2050 some 65% and 85% of the developing and developed world respectively, will be urbanised. Expanding cities bring their own problems, however, the movement is well under way to find smart solutions. Smart cities are a new style of city providing sustainable growth and designed to encourage healthy economic activities that reduce the burden on the environment while improving the quality of life.

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