rssJun 23, 2026, 16:17

Shade in libraries and cooling in mosques: how the city is preparing for the heat

The city of Amsterdam has opened twelve pilot cooling spots, including libraries, theaters, and a mosque, to provide relief for residents during an extreme heatwave. These locations are strategically placed in districts like Nieuw-West and Zuidoost, where urban heat risks and poorly insulated housing are most prevalent. The initiative aims to offer a safe space for people to cool down and access water as temperatures rise across the region.

Lifestyle Health Amsterdam Netherlands

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Based on reporting by rss. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.

Former swimmer Kira Toussaint on track for first marathon medal

Former champion swimmer Kira Toussaint is transitioning to long-distance running and will participate in the Amsterdam Marathon on October 18. After a decorated swimming career, Toussaint turned to the marathon as a new major challenge to fuel her competitive drive.

Chatterbox Roderik connects people with each other

Roderik Schaepman has launched the Week of the Conversation, an initiative aimed at encouraging social interaction to combat loneliness and declining communication skills. By setting up designated spaces at locations like the Haarlem train station, he encourages people to overcome social hesitation through simple steps like greeting and complimenting strangers.

Municipality to open its own healthy restaurant to combat excess of fast food outlets

The Amsterdam municipal government plans to open and then deny a permit for its own unhealthy restaurant to test legal limits regarding health-based zoning. By taking the matter to court, officials aim to establish a precedent that would allow the city to restrict new fast-food establishments in the future.

Ruben runs half marathon for long COVID research: "I see for myself how devastating it is"

Ruben Treurniet is running the Amsterdam half marathon this Sunday to raise funds for long COVID research, inspired by his brother Lex's struggle with the debilitating condition. The campaign has already raised over two thousand euros to support scientific efforts to find treatments for patients who currently lack proper care.

Is running a (half) marathon really a good idea? 'Proper preparation takes months'

Thousands of runners are preparing for the 51st annual Amsterdam Marathon, an event that spans over 42 kilometers. While the training process takes months of dedication, experts and participants continue to weigh the health benefits against the extreme physical strain caused by such a long-distance race.