Paris mayor a model: Mayors in cities around Ireland could do well to model themselves on the mayor of Paris, Bertrand Delanoe. Now four years in office, the 54-year-old socialist mayor has calmed the traffic on Parisian streets and boulevards and reduced air pollution significantly.
His most popular project - Paris plage - where a quayside traffic route is transformed into an artificial beach along the River Seine every summer, has been copied by other cities keen to keep urban workers happy during hot summer days.
Delanoe has also built generous bus and bicycle lanes, widened the footpaths and expanded pedestrian areas. Two years ago, he told tour operators their buses could no longer park near popular sites such as Notre Dame and Sacré Coeur. Other proposals include a ban on all non-resident cars and tourist buses in the heart of Paris. Meanwhile, pollution levels are coming down and the city had just two pollution alerts last year, down from nine in 2001. While lord mayors in Irish cities might claim they have fewer administrative powers, they could lead by example. How about suggesting a massive public cycle through our cities on European car-free day next September?
Woodland conference
The need for training to manage woodlands and to use raw materials from semi-natural woodlands will be highlighted at a conference and woodland show in Clonbullogue, Edenderry, Co Offaly, next weekend. Friday's conference, which will be of interest to farmers, landowners and agencies involved in ecological management of Irish woodlands, is organised by Muintir na Coillte/the Coppice and Allied Trade Associations of Ireland.
The woodland show on Friday afternoon and all day Saturday will feature demonstrations of hedge laying, basket weaving, currach making, wood carving, wattle weaving and lots more traditional crafts. It will be of interest to families keen to see the sustainable management of woodlands in action.
Two farmers, William and Ken Gill, will also give guided tours of newly planted areas. Contact Ken Gill on 046-9730178 or Joe Gowran at joegowran@eircom.net.
Our industrial heritage
Anyone interested in gaining more knowledge about our industrial heritage should attend the annual general meeting of the Industrial Heritage Association of Ireland on Saturday, April 16th, in the National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, Dublin. The meeting, at 2.15pm, will be preceded by a talk at 11am by Ciaran O'Connor, Office of Public Works architect, on the conservation of ironwork in the curvilinear glasshouses and palm house at the National Botanic Gardens and a tour of the glasshouses at noon. Contact Ron Cox on 01-6082544 or rcox@tcd.ie. See also www.steam-museum.ie/ihai
Weather woman
Evelyn Cusask, physics graduate of University College Dublin and meteorologist with Met Éireann will speak about the weather at a talk in the Airfield Trust, Dundrum, Dublin, on Tuesday at 8pm. Cusack will explain the ever popular topic of climate change and global warming. Admission €8. Contact 01-2984301.