The greenest city in the world. The greenest cities in the world
Today, megalopolises are more and more often seen as a gray accumulation of faceless boxes, between which roads wind like a snake. There are fewer and fewer pieces of nature inside cities, as parks are an expensive pleasure in places where land is worth millions. Nevertheless, ecology has not been forgotten everywhere. There are several cities that can even be called "green".
This does not mean that they are immersed in nature and that they are completely environmentally friendly. But here they are constantly making efforts to improve the quality of life of people, to save resources, including natural resources, to protect the environment. In such cities, there are parks and water bodies. Many cities have a lot to learn from their green fellows.
Reykjavik, Iceland. There is an old unusual saying in English that allows you to remember words based on their funny combination: "Greenland is icy and Iceland is green" (Greenland is icy and Iceland is green). It is unlikely that something has changed in Greenland itself during this time, but Iceland fully justifies this proverb. Today, Reykjavik is an example of an eco-friendly capital. Here, buses run on hydrogen fuel, on the island, geothermal energy is used for heating and to generate electricity. The Icelandic authorities plan to completely switch to renewable energy sources by 2050. Thus, Reykjavik will become the cleanest city in Europe. Iceland, Iceland, will probably have to change its name with Greenland, Greenland.
Portland, Oregon, USA. In America, it's common for a city to be named. So, New York is called the Big Apple, Chicago is the City of the Wind. But Portland was nicknamed the City of Roses. I must say that it is not accidental. In Portland, the City is very thoughtful about the layout and the microclimate. As a result, the city is considered one of the most environmentally friendly in the country. Portland became the first place in the United States to impose the strictest controls on carbon dioxide emissions. It also has a green building program. Portland has created a system of light rail, express buses and bike paths. This made it possible to draw the attention of residents to public transport, reducing the number of cars. The area of \u200b\u200bgreen space in Portland is 350 square kilometers, the total length of park alleys, paths and paths is 120 kilometers. The city's special pride is the Japanese Garden. Here, on an area of \u200b\u200b2 hectares, one of the most authentic Japanese gardens on the planet has been created.
Curitiba, Brazil. This city is considered one of the most comfortable in the country. Curitiba prides itself on its ideal urban public transport system. In the city, 75% of residents prefer to use it, rather than their personal cars. The high-speed bus lines in Curitiba serve as a benchmark for other cities. There are 54 square meters of green space for every inhabitant. The lawns are kept in order in an unusual way - there are no petrol-powered lawn mowers, instead of them live sheep are responsible for order. This solution is both environmentally friendly and pleasant for children. The love of the authorities for the environment gives the result - 99% of Curitiba residents are happy to live here.
Malmo, Sweden. This city is literally buried in gardens and parks. Malmö is the benchmark for smart and sustainable urban management. Malmo is the third largest city in Sweden. They are trying to make their city even greener and therefore they are carrying out a number of environmental reforms.
Vancouver, Canada. Also the third largest in its country is the Canadian Vancouver. The city has a unique location - between the mountains and the sea. This largely determined its appearance and microclimate. As a result, Vancouver is considered one of the most beautiful and prosperous cities on the planet. The English edition of The Economist has recognized Vancouver as the best city in the world four times. They take the environment seriously - a plan to improve the climate for as long as 100 years has been developed, and it is being implemented flawlessly. Today, already 90% of all city electricity is generated from renewable sources. The city is powered by hydroelectric power, wind, sun and tidal power. Vancouver has more than 200 parks and squares, as well as about 30 kilometers of the ocean coast.
Copenhagen, Denmark. In Denmark, for the benefit of the city, they learned to use wind energy. In 2000, not far from Copenhagen, an unusual industrial facility was built right in the Øresund Strait. The Middelgrunden wind farm supplies 5% of energy to the capital of Denmark. The use of this type of natural resource in Denmark is generally considered the best in the world, more than 90% of the electricity generated by wind is exported. In Copenhagen itself, a new environmentally friendly metro has been operating for 10 years, and the city itself has more than once received European awards for the best environmental management system. The capital of Denmark is considered one of the continent's most cycling cities. Not only is it fashionable and environmentally friendly, it is also good for health.
London, Great Britain. Despite the fact that London is one of the largest and most active metropolitan areas in the world, the city hall is working to make this place one of the greenest in the world. It has recently adopted climate change control initiatives, as evidenced by the city's development. According to the plans of the mayor, Livingston, a quarter of London's needs should be provided by renewable sources. Over the next quarter of a century, carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere of the metropolis should be reduced by 60%. For those residents who decide to switch their homes to alternative energy sources, the authorities provide benefits. It is possible to drive a petrol car into central London only for money - this is a step of the mayor's office in the fight against exhaust emissions. SUVs pay the most, but electric and hybrid vehicles pass through absolutely unhindered.
San Francisco, California, USA. In San Francisco, every second resident uses public transport, walks or bike every day. More than 17% of the city's area is allocated for parks and green spaces. In 2001, residents approved a program to introduce energy-saving and generating installations based on wind and solar energy. The "green" innovation will cost the city $ 100 million. San Francisco also prohibits the use of non-recyclable plastic bags, children's plastic toys containing hazardous substances.
Baia de Caraquez, Ecuador. The small South American town has a population of only 20 thousand people. In the mid-1990s, a series of natural disasters hit it. However, the residents, together with the authorities, not only restored it, but also made it even more convenient for life. In 1999, Baia de Caraquez received the title of eco-city. This is the "greenest" city in Ecuador, environmental students come here for training, ecotourists to relax. The city has developed programs for the preservation of biological species, instead of old plantations, new ones are immediately created, a person fights against soil destruction. The world's first certified shrimp farm opens in Bahia de Caraquez.
Sydney, Australia. It was Australia that became the first country in the world to ban old incandescent lamps at the state level. Residents of Sydney in their struggle for the environment went even further - in the city everyone voluntarily cut off electricity for an hour. So the Australians tried to draw the attention of mankind to the problem of global warming. In Sydney itself, carbon dioxide emissions are rather strictly monitored, food waste is carefully disposed of here. This is what allows the metropolis to be considered the "greenest" modern city in the Southern Hemisphere.
Barcelona, \u200b\u200bSpain. Walking is all the rage in Barcelona. More than 37% of all movements in the capital of Catalonia are made by residents on their own feet. Convenient and eco-friendly parking lots have been created for those who do drive cars. Thanks to the sunny climate in Barcelona, \u200b\u200bmost of the electricity is generated naturally from the sun. The city authorities are closely monitoring the development of the metropolis, all areas are growing evenly. As a result, the slums and neighborhoods of the poor simply have nowhere to come from.
Bogota, Colombia. For most of us, Colombia is a land of drug dealers, coffee and slums. But these stereotypes must be fought. At the beginning of the century, the mayor of Bogotá introduced a high-speed bus system. It turned out to be so profitable and convenient that half of the capital's population switched to public transport. The road load has been reduced by 40%. Due to high taxes on gasoline, the population is gradually switching to electric and hybrid vehicles. All conditions have been created for pedestrians - safe and beautiful sidewalks, green parks and bike paths.
Bangkok, Thailand. If large cities are more and more immersed in clouds of dust and emissions, then Bangkok is purposefully moving towards its literally bright future. The mayor of the city even put cooking at the service of ecology. From now on, residents of Bangkok can hand over vegetable oil waste for processing. Biofuel for transport will be created from them. The volume of harmful emissions into the atmosphere from industry and transport is gradually decreasing in Bangkok. And although the air here is still not perfect, progress is evident. Bangkok is gradually turning into a "green" city.
Kampala, Uganda. In developing countries, large cities have similar environmental problems, but Kampala managed to overcome them. Like many other capitals, this city is located on seven hills, the surroundings are truly beautiful. However, the authorities are under pressure from poverty and air pollution. Hybrid cars are too expensive for Africa. Many residents of Kampala are from the countryside and are accustomed to earthworks. Local authorities have managed to find a compromise, making agriculture near Kampala not only efficient but also aesthetically pleasing. The city should soon replace inefficient shuttle taxis with high-speed buses, and they plan to start controlling carbon dioxide emissions. So the capital of Uganda is developing in the right, "green" direction.
Austin, Texas, USA. The sun shines very brightly in Texas. It is no coincidence that Austin has become the country's largest solar power generation site. It allows you to meet 20% of the needs of the urban economy. The local energy company, Austin Energy, sets the tone for the state's energy policy. Thanks to her, green initiatives are being introduced in other states. In Austin itself, 15% of the city's territory is given to parks and green spaces. Cyclists have a place to ride - the network of bike paths stretches for 50 kilometers. And all this green splendor is created in a desert state!
March 22 - “News. Economy". Now all over the world there is a desire to preserve nature. In particular, city administrations around the world are trying to stimulate the growth of green space in cities in order to make the air cleaner. World Day of Forests was held on March 21, which also aims to ensure that cities have as many green plantings as possible. To compile the rating, the WEF experts created the so-called Green View Index, which estimates the share of green spaces in the total area of \u200b\u200bthe city. Below we will tell you about 19 cities in the world, which are distinguished by significant areas allotted for green plantings. 19. Los Angeles, USA - 15.2%
Los Angeles is one of the world's largest cultural, scientific, economic and educational centers. Also, the city is one of the world's largest centers of the entertainment industry in the field of cinema, theater, music, literature and television. 18. Turin, Italy - 16.2%
The city has a rich history and culture and is known for its art galleries, palaces, theaters, museums, parks. Turin is also famous for its Baroque, Rococo, Neoclassical and Art Nouveau architecture. 17. Tel Aviv, Israel - 17.5%
Tel Aviv is the second (after Jerusalem) largest city in the country. Tel Aviv is Israel's most eclectic city. Modern skyscrapers along the Ayalon expressway coexist with one-two-story buildings of the first half of the 20th century in the Neve Tzedek area, the wealthy districts of northern Tel Aviv - with the slums of the old Tahana Merkazit (city bus station), hotels and pubs on the Mediterranean embankment - with business offices and technology centers. 16. Boston, USA - 18.2%
Boston is the largest city in the region known as New England and one of the oldest and richest cities in the United States. The city's economy is supported by education (more than a hundred universities and colleges, including such famous ones as Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Boston University and Boston College), medical, financial and technology industries. About 250,000 freshmen appear in Boston every year. 15. Miami, USA - 19.4%
In 2008, it was named "America's Cleanest City" by Forbes magazine for clean air, large parklands, clean drinking water, clean streets and urban recycling programs. 14. Toronto, Canada - 19.5%
The city of Toronto is also known as the "economic engine" of Canada, is considered one of the leading metropolitan areas in the world and has a lot of weight both in the region and at the national and international level. The countless number of restaurants and shops along the miles create an abundance of pedestrians and car-free strollers, which is atypical for a Canadian city. Avenue Road is also one of the main streets in Toronto. 13. Seattle, USA - 20%
The city is the county seat of King County. Located between the Puget Bay System and Lake Washington. The Olympic Mountains are located 130 km west of Seattle. On the western side of the mountains is the territory of the Olympic National Park. More than 150 Seattle attractions are listed on the US National Register of Historic Places. The city also maintains its own list of attractions. 12. Amsterdam, Netherlands - 20.6%
Amsterdam is also the financial and cultural capital of the Netherlands. Here are the headquarters of 7 of the world's 500 largest companies, such as Philips and ING Groep. Also in the city center is the world's oldest stock exchange. There are a lot of people in Amsterdam who use bicycles. Their popularity is due to the convenience of movement, the relatively small area of \u200b\u200bAmsterdam, a large number of special paths, flat terrain, and the relative inconvenience of using a car. 11. Geneva, Switzerland - 21.4%
There are two world famous ski resorts Verbier and Crans-Montana not far from the city. The city government also aims to improve the environmental situation in the city as much as possible. The main types of urban transport in Geneva are trams, trolleybuses and buses. Cycling is also being developed here, which improves air quality. 10. Frankfurt am Main, Germany - 21.5%
The city authorities are seriously concerned about making the ecological situation as favorable as possible. So, in addition to greening the city, much attention is paid to the development of bicycle transport. The Deutsche Bahn company provides a bicycle rental service for citizens and city guests. Bicycle rentals can be found at train stops and at major crossroads in the city. The city has created all conditions for cyclists, and on many central streets of the city, cyclists have priority over traffic. 9. Sacramento, USA - 23.6%
Sacramento is a city in the state of California. The city is located in the Sacramento River Valley, at the confluence of the Sacramento and American River, in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. The backbone of the economy of Sacramento is the government sector (for example, in the California state government alone, more than 73 thousand people are employed), healthcare, education, electronics and information technology. The city is home to the headquarters of Sutter Health, Blue Diamond Growers, Aerojet, Teichert and The McClatchy Company. Intel has significant manufacturing facilities around the city (about 6,000 employees). 8. Johannesburg, South Africa - 23.6%
Johannesburg is the largest city in South Africa in terms of population. Johannesburg is the largest economic and financial center in South Africa, producing 16% of the country's total GDP. The city center is built up with skyscrapers, which house the offices of the largest banks, national industrial companies, multinational corporations, stock exchange, large hotels, etc. 7. Durban, South Africa - 23.7%
Most of the city and its suburbs are located on fairly high and steep hills. The Durban metropolitan area has a developed and diversified economy with strong manufacturing, tourism, transport and financial sectors. Its coastal location and major port give the city an edge over South Africa's economic centers in the hinterland. 6. Montreal, Canada - 25.5%
Montreal typically ranks highest in the world's most livable cities. Monocle Magazine has named the city "the cultural capital of Canada", and recently UNESCO named Montreal a city of design. 5. Sydney, Australia - 25.9%
Sydney is one of the most multicultural and multicultural cities in the world, due to the fact that the city is the main residence for immigrants arriving permanently in Australia. There are approximately 70 small bays and beaches in the city's residential areas, including the famous Bondi Beach in the south of the city and Manly beaches in the north. 4. Vancouver, Canada - 25.9%
Vancouver is a city on the west coast of Canada, the largest city in the province of British Columbia and the third largest in Canada. Vancouver is surrounded on all sides by mountain peaks covered with tall coniferous forests. The most famous city park (Stanley Park) was founded on the peninsula protruding into the bay back in 1886 (the first year of the city's existence), when dense pristine forests rose around. Now Stanley Park and its Seawall embankment are a favorite vacation spot for townspeople and tourists. 3. Oslo, Norway - 28.8%
Oslo is the capital of Norway and one of the greenest cities in Europe. Among the parks in Oslo, the Vigeland Sculpture Park should be noted, which contains 227 sculptural groups created by the national sculptor of Norway Gustav Vigeland. The park near the Royal Palace and the Botanical Gardens are also noteworthy. 2. Singapore - 29.3%
Singapore is one of the greenest cities in Southeast Asia. At the Singapore Zoo, animals are kept in natural conditions. Reserve "Bukit Tima" - 70 hectares of pristine rainforest, Jurong Bird Park, an area of \u200b\u200b20 hectares, home to many tropical birds. It is also home to the tourist island of Sentosa with golf courses and other attractions. 1. Tampa, USA - 36.1%
Tampa is the third largest city in Florida, the capital of Hillsborough County, located in the west of the peninsula. Attractions in the city include the Busch Gardens amusement park, the aquarium and the Adventure Island water park. It is one of the fastest growing cities in Florida, yet it is one of the greenest cities in the state.
Created 27.03.2012 09:03 Posted by Diana KernWhat makes a city the greenest of all the greens? There are thousands of cities and towns around the world that have established impressive recycling programs, planted vast tracts of protected green space, and promote the use of resource-efficient technologies. But there are those that stand apart, those that are actively fighting climate change on a significant scale and set an example for the rest of the world to take part in this struggle and help cope with other environmental problems.
The greenest cities in the world encompass all the positive qualities that make urban life healthier, more enjoyable and more sensitive to the surrounding ecosystems.
1. Reykjavik, Iceland
To see the example of a large city administered almost exclusively with clean, renewable energy sources, the world only needs to look at the capital of Iceland. Reykjavik has taken advantage of its natural abundance of volcanic and geothermal energy, and only 0.1% of its electricity comes from fossil fuels. Buses that run on environmentally friendly hydrogen energy make the local public transport system one of the greenest in the world.
2. San Francisco, California
San Francisco and Portland, Oregon, have nearly equal rights to the title of America's benchmark for environmental friendliness, but when it comes to measuring environmental impact, the former seems to be taking the lead. San Francisco is among the three greenest cities in North America on five of nine metrics, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit, including energy, green buildings, transportation, water and air quality. They are widely known for their tough laws to reduce waste and emissions, such as the ban on plastic shopping bags and the need for recycling.
3. Malmo, Sweden
Sweden's third largest population center is a model of urban sustainability focused on renewable energies and an abundance of green spaces. Malmö is home to the third largest wind farm in the world and is expected to achieve climate neutrality in all work processes by 2020. Designed in 2006 as the first fair trade city in Sweden. Malmö's recognition of sustainability is the result of decades of careful urban planning.
4. Vancouver, Canada
Vancouver, the greenest city in Canada and second in North America (after San Francisco), is on track to achieve its goal of becoming the world's greenest city by 2020. It is the center of innovation for the cleantech industry, boasts low carbon emissions, and an impressive 90% of its energy comes from renewable sources (mostly hydroelectric). There are more than 200 parks here, a new "greenest" neighborhood in America has been built. In addition, 55% of the solid waste from the Vancouver landfills is recycled.
5. Portland, Oregon
Fifth place in the ranking is the first American city to adopt a climate change plan. Portland has more LEED-certified residential buildings than any other locality in the country, and its land use laws make sure the city remains dense while suburban and rural areas are protected for agricultural purposes. A quarter of workers and employees use public transport, bicycles or carpool (car sharing) for their daily commute and back, and the authorities offer free parking spaces for electric vehicles, where there is certainly an opportunity to recharge the battery of their environmentally friendly iron horse.
6. Curitiba, Brazil
Curitiba is the undisputed "green" capital of Brazil and, according to Siemens, the "greenest" metropolis in Latin America. There are 16 parks, 14 forests and over 1,000 green public spaces. Environmental legislation protects local vegetation that is threatened by urban development. 70% of waste is recycled. 1.5 million trees have been planted along the roads of primary and secondary importance. Even the grass in parks is "cut" by a flock of sheep.
7. Copenhagen, Denmark
The coast of Denmark's capital is dotted with wind turbines and the city is known as a world leader in the fight against climate change. About a third of residents use bicycles for daily commuting to and from work, so tourists will find that two-wheeled vehicles are ubiquitous. Even with these high numbers, Copenhagen is aiming to increase its cyclists by 50% by 2015.
8. Stockholm, Sweden
Stockholm - a regular on the lists of Europe's most environmentally conscious cities - won the 2010 European Green Capital award for its commitment to sustainable development. 40% of the territory is occupied by green spaces, significant funds are invested in environmental protection. Efforts to clean up water bodies began in the 1960s, and today even salmon caught in city rivers are edible. Carbon emissions are only 3.4 tons per capita, well below the European average (10 tons per person).
9. Hamburg, Germany
Hamburg - the winner of European Green Capital in 2011 - is reconstructing a large part of the city center in accordance with the principles of sustainability. For example, the new Hamburg-HafenCity is the largest urban development project in Europe. More than 1,500 km 2 of reconstructed former industrial areas are now filled with houses, shops, parks, entertainment centers and other amenities. As one of Europe's busiest industrial ports, Hamburg has big plans for a greener workflow. It is planned to use "taxi containers", each of which will replace 60 trucks to reduce environmental pollution.
10. Bogota, Colombia
In recent years, Colombia's capital has significantly improved its reputation from being a home of organized crime and poverty to one of the most promising green cities. According to Siemens, this is one of the most environmentally friendly settlements in Latin America. Bogotá has an efficient public transportation system, hundreds of kilometers of bike trails and more than 1,200 urban green spaces. The city has dramatically improved air and water quality and within four years (between 2008-2011) ended the trade in its wildlife.
Do you know other green cities? Please leave a message in the comments.
Skyscrapers, providing their livelihoods due to the energy of the sun, roof gardens, wind turbines - the green future is already here. In the progressive cities of the world, shiny high-rise buildings, plants rooted in the roofs of houses, ceased to be science fiction visions of the future, but became part of everyday life. In Chicago and Singapore, money is being used to curb urban expansion, greening cities, and switching to alternative energy sources. Travelers benefit from improved urban environments, with stunning new city parks and gardens being created, organic restaurants and breweries opening up to produce organic beer, and green architectural principles. Say “bye” to your car, jump on a light rail or bicycle - eco-transport - and be ready to see green cities in a new light.
Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen, with its friendly citizens, low-rise buildings, disturbed only by church spiers, is consistently included in the list of the most livable and environmentally friendly cities. The Danes began to develop and manufacture high-tech wind turbines back in the 70s - 80s of the last century. They actively introduced advanced technologies in the use of wind energy and as a result overtook the whole world in the use of alternative energy sources. Currently, a quarter of all energy consumed in Denmark is wind energy. Copenhagen, which plans to become hydrocarbon-independent by 2025, now receives most of its alternative energy from the Middelgrunden wind farm two miles offshore. Middelgrunden is a series of 20 turbines installed directly in the water that look very futuristic from the harbor side. On wonderful summer days, feel free to join the cycling community of the Danish capital (almost half of the capital's residents ride a bike to work) and take a ride in Stroeget. This is a pedestrianized quarter in the city center where cars are prohibited. And then go to one of the restaurants in the harbor, where you will be offered a sea buckthorn and rye treat. Portland, Oregon, USA
Portland, among other attractions, is a city with farmers' markets, restaurants serving only local seasonal produce, and breweries that brew organic beer. Today the city has become a center for young and eco-oriented people. In many respects, the success of the city in environmental endeavors is explained by thoughtful urban planning, which began long before the fashion for everything “green”. In 1993, Portland was one of the first to recognize global warming as a threat. Moreover, the city does not solve the problem of expanding its borders at the expense of agricultural land. Since the 1970s, Portland has been trying not to expand the city borders, protecting the surrounding fields and fields. One of America’s best cycling infrastructures and a well-developed public transportation system have been created. To get a feel for what makes Portland so enjoyable, head to the Pearl District. The former warehouse area has been transformed into an area of \u200b\u200bart galleries, boutiques and restaurants, whose menus include food from local farms. Walk a little more and find yourself in Forest Park - 2,000 acres of wild Pacific nature, bordered by Washington Park, the city zoo and a rose garden. Vancouver, Canada
Known as North Hollywood for his role in many films and television shows, Vancouver could follow the path of Los Angeles and turn into a giant anthill. But local residents have preserved the virginity of the nature surrounding the city, its wildness and naturalness. City officials are encouraging compaction development in the city, encouraging basement apartments and sublease agreements that increase the number of people per square meter in the city center. The city government also obliges to comply with environmental construction standards. At the same time, the city cannot be called boring. The urban past of a wild port city lives on and thrives in nightclubs and bars. A well-developed public transport system allows you not to worry about how to get home. Significant efforts are also being made in the city to make driving more annoying than fun, which leads to the abandonment of the car and, consequently, to a reduction in the emission of CO2 into the atmosphere. For example, Granville Island, home to the City Market, one of North America's best farmers' markets, is closed to cars on summer weekends. Curitiba, Brazil
Avoiding the principle of “all-for-development”, which characterizes other regions of Brazil (due to which most of the rainforests were destroyed), Curitiba is seeking budgetary and, at the same time, eco-friendly measures to solve urban problems. For example, the city, which is located on a flooded plateau, has designed two parks with artificial lakes that act as a buffer and absorb excess water instead of building a more expensive dam. This was in 1972. Since then, the empty land around the city has been transformed into 33 parks. By the way, here you will not see lawn mowers stinking of gasoline, but lambs nibbling weed - in abundance. The most popular parks have their own architectural wonders. For example, the Ibirapuera Central Park features architectural masterpieces by Oscar Niemeyer. And in the das Pedreiras park, Wire Opera House is located - a theater built of steel pipes. The Batel area is full of nightlife with many German, Ukrainian, Italian restaurants that reflect the ethnic diversity of the city. Singapore
While there are hydrocarbon deposits in Singapore, there is also plenty of sun that inspired architects to create stunningly beautiful solar-powered buildings. Foster + Partners has developed solar-powered towers on Beach Road with shallow canopies scheduled for completion in 2016 ... will collect rainwater and generate solar energy. Full of extraordinarily colorful flowers, greenhouses paint a picture of a sustainable future. See the ever-changing face of Singapore, the harbor lined with eco-friendly, electricity-powered boats, or climb to the top of ION Orchard for unparalleled views of the city. Later, take a stroll through the city's famous street food on wheels, which almost every foodie who has ever tasted local Malay and Indian fast food is raving about. Chicago, Illinois, USA
Like other cities in the United States, Chicago is struggling with aging infrastructure and has been very successful. Chicago has added greenery to the skyline and new building standards. The city has launched the Green Roofs program, the essence of which is the cultivation of gardens on the roofs of public and private high-rise buildings. Goal: Reduce energy consumption, purify and cool air through green spaces in one of America's most populous cities. The City Hall has already planted the roof of the city council, and Millennium Park is the world's largest green space, located above an underground commuter train station. Moreover, 500 high-rise roof gardens are scattered throughout the city. From the observation deck of the 103-story Willis Tower, you can enjoy incredible views of Chicago's flowering air gardens. Downstairs, you can spin the pedals of your bike in a new city cycling program to explore the shores of world famous Lake Michigan. Keep in mind that the route is 50 km long. Sydney, Australia
What happens when two world-renowned architects are tasked with turning a defunct brewery into a green city center? Sydney New Central Park! Architects Norman Foster and Jean Nouvel have teamed up to transform the 150-year-old factory in the Chippendale area into a self-sustaining cluster of 11 buildings ranging from 3 to 33 stories high, teeming with vertical gardens. The stylish, self-contained, eco-friendly "trigeneration" system used to heat, cool and power an architectural complex is so efficient that it will export surplus energy to the city's power grid. Sydney's many vantage points offer beautiful views of the bay, cityscape and stunning Bondi beaches to the east and Manly Bay to the north. Nightlife centered in the George Street and Rocks area, where you can skip a glass of alcohol in 19th-century pubs. Visit one of the progressive restaurants serving fresh seafood. To read The greenest cities in Europe
Read the blog Cities of the world
The use of renewable energy sources, public transport, the level of concentration of air pollutants, city noise, the volume of wastewater - when determining the environmental friendliness of settlements, these and about 30 other indicators are estimated. Today in the world there are 14 most common methods of researching the ecological component of cities. But, alas, there is still no single officially recognized list of the “greenest” settlements.
One of the most objective methods is considered Green Cities Indexinitiated by the British research center Economist Intelligence Unit and the corporation "Siemens". As part of it, large-scale research is carried out around the world. Since 2009, annually, 120 cities of the world are evaluated by such parameters as sanitary-hygienic and environmental management, air, land quality, building operation, water supply, transport, CO2 emissions into the atmosphere and dozens of other criteria. The data obtained allow us to determine the leading cities in terms of environmental friendliness in their region.
Global Green Economy Index determined for the fifth time this year and is the result of an expert study of 60 countries in 4 areas: leadership and climate change, business efficiency, investment markets, the environment and natural capital. This study takes into account a variety of factors, ranging from water quality to government participation in environmental forums.
In addition, there is EU Green Capital Program. Research companies, such as Mercer Human, periodically compose their own ratings of green cities.
