Most cities were not designed to be cities. They began small and expanded without a long-term plan. How do you make such a city sustainable? As an Irish farmer replied to a lost motorist asking for directions: “I wouldn’t start from here.”
But we are where we are. Cities face problems that can no longer be ignored. They consume more energy than they produce. They amass mountains of waste every day. Their transport systems were designed for smaller populations. They pollute their own air and water. Is there any hope at all?
PHOTO: © SERGII FIGURNYI | DREAMSTIME.COM
Copenhagen proves there is. Once beset with all the usual problems, Denmark’s capital has transformed into the greenest city in the world. Waste is turned into energy in a futuristic power plant with a steep roof that doubles as a public ski slope. Bicycle routes crisscross the city. Buses are all electric. The city aims to phase out fossil fuels entirely by 2050.
In North America, Vancouver leads the way. Making the most of its spectacular natural setting, the city improved its air and water quality, aims to reduce waste to zero by 2040, and places sustainability at the heart of all public planning. The benefits? It ranks as one of the most livable cities in the world.
Brazil has some of the world’s least sustainable cities (São Paolo being a notorious example), but Curitiba bucks the trend. Stormwater management, public green spaces, recycling initiatives and biofuel buses are among the elements that make the city a model of sustainability, providing a blueprint for Brazil’s other urban jungles.
Down Under, Melbourne leads the way, aiming to be powered 100 percent by renewable energy by 2030. Other initiatives include the expansion of green spaces and increased priority for pedestrians and cyclists downtown.
In Asia, Singapore is the flagship. Investment in smart technology, sustainable mass transportation, energy efficient buildings, waste management, urban agriculture and green infrastructure have made this densely populated island a world leader in eco planning.
© NANCY ANDERSON | DREAMSTIME.COM
These five cities offer proof that, wherever the starting point, we can find routes to a sustainable future.
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