Escher’s town hall main topic Friday was Esch2022’s “Urban Time Travel” project. The virtual cruise through Belval in the past should remain a tourist attraction even after the Cultural Year.
At the second meeting of the Escher Municipal Council in exile in Belval, at first glance there was too much red tape on the agenda. However, the session was not completely quiet, but rather a temporary continuation of the disagreements from three weeks ago. Vera Spautz (LSAP) has spoken from the start and has asked on behalf of her group to remove two items from the agenda. This was the case at the last meeting of the council. The reason again this time: The points were not discussed in the relevant committees. Lane Weiss (“D-Link”) also spoke of a lack of respect for committees.
It was again a question of the rental contract for the property on rue de Belval, where Oxylux had the nitrogen and oxygen tanks for many years which the car manufacturer Renault wanted to settle on for the future. Then this item was also removed from the agenda. As opposed to “Urban Time Travel”, which was presented to boards by Nancy Brown, General Manager of Esch2022. “Urban Time Travel” is an interactive journey through the history of Belval. The visitor drives a distance on the bus and is transported in time with the virtual reality glasses. In the case of Belval, this is the Bel-Val and Adolf-Emil-Hütte spring and the blast furnaces A, B and C. There is a similar tour of Luxembourg City during the nineteenth century in Pfaffenthal. The project budget is around 400,000 euros, and the costs are borne by Esch2022 and the Ministry of Tourism.
To many questions
After the Cultural Year, “Urban Time Travel Belval” should not disappear, it will remain a tourist attraction. Should take over the municipalities of Esch and Sanem. It is for this reason that an architecture will be created in the shape of Asbl, which will carry the project from 2023 and grant a license to operate it to a private provider until 2033.
There are many questions open to the opposition, Jean Tonnard (LSAP) emphasized. For example, to what extent the university historians were involved in the project. And what happens if “urban time travel” does not lead to the generally hoped-for success. Ultimately, a ten-year contract could be a bit long, given the fact that the technology is developing rapidly and this could lead to additional costs for the operator. What if he withdraws for any reason?
Nancy Brown answered the questions as best she could. And, of course, the University of C.2DH accompanies the project. According to Mayor Georges Michaux (CSV), there would be nothing against admitting a historian into Asbl. “We consider it too early to establish an ASBL now. Such projects need to be developed. The historical dimension, which historians must accompany, is very important,” Vera Spotz summed up. Your group also abstained from voting.
Prior to that, City Council member Martin Kox (“déi gréng”) introduced the new Climate Charter 2.0, and subsidies for the purchase of electrical appliances were also revised. The community supports the purchase of energy-efficient household electrical appliances worth up to € 70. As the classification of devices has changed at the European Union level, municipal regulations must be adapted accordingly. Incidentally, there’s also Esch help to fix these devices.
The purchase of (electric) bicycles is also subsidized for up to € 200. However, unlike the government, only those that meet current safety standards for road bikes, i.e. there is no sporting equipment such as a racing bike or mountain bike. The corresponding certificate must be attached to the application. What is new is that the buyer must submit his grant application within six months of the purchase. In addition, the local council approved the installation of the photovoltaic system at the “Nonnewisen” school and decided to waive the payment in “Päischtkiermes”.
Quick tests
With a special loan of 110,000 euros, 50,000 coronavirus tests have been approved. The community has also received 7,000 of these tests from the government. 150 pieces will be distributed free of charge to more than 200 Horka outlets in the city. In this context, Mike Hansen (LSAP) put forward a proposal to create a dedicated working group to handle express tests. The question is whether you cannot create a community testing center, as is the case in other municipalities or in neighboring countries. This would have the advantage that the customer would take a single, community-approved test valid for 24 hours. However, he can, for example, visit as many restaurants as he pleases without having to test every time. This would also lighten HORECA’s business.
Georges Micho was skeptical about whether society currently had the proper buildings for something like this and, above all, the manpower sufficient for it. Alderman Pim Knaf (DP) promised to discuss the proposal in the Economic Development Committee, which was approved by LSAP.
Philip Michel began his career as a journalist at Tagblatt in 1995 immediately after studying Sports Science in Cologne (focusing on sports journalism). He reported on four Olympic Games (1996-2008) and the FIFA World Championship (1996, 2006). Beginning in 2004, Michelle has been increasingly tasked with organizational duties as head of service and member of the editor-in-chief. In 2020 he gave up these jobs in order to be able to devote himself exclusively to writing. Recurring topics are soft mobility, health sector and current topics in his certified home Esch. He is also familiar to the reader as a regular editor and commentator.
