After granting the title of “European Green Capital” to one of Northern Europe’s most beautiful city, Stockholm (2010) and to the ambitious port-city of Hamburg (2011), another two European green cities were congratulated: Vitoria-Gasteiz (2012) in Spain and Nantes (2013) in France. They were rewarded for having implemented projects related to environmental urban lifestyle. “I would like to congratulate the cities of Vitoria-Gasteiz and Nantes – as well as all the other cities – for their effort in improving the environment and quality of life of their own citizens. More and more European citizens can see the environmental policy in actions in the urban areas, and the decisions related to this subject are very important. Many of them carry a major green footprint. The “European Green Capital” award shows the commitment in urban innovation that will help other cities as well to prosper in the future”, said Janez Potočnik, European Commissioner for Environment, during a ceremony held in Stockholm, the European Green Capital of 2010.
In order to develop sustainable projects, we need massive investments in mobility, environment, infrastructure, culture etc., so that a city can provide all the necessary comfort to its citizens.
“Cities need investments, and the European Commission can provide support by allocating funding for various projects. There are also available funds to help with environmental priorities in urban areas. Some EUR 344 Billion is available for Cohesion Policy funding until 2013. I am deeply concerned about the submission and approval of large infrastructure projects, particularly in new Member States. We can’t go on blaming ‘the crisis’ for ever”, added Janez Potočnik.
Vitoria-Gasteiz, European Green Capital 2012
A regional capital in Northern Spain, which has made huge progress in turning a traditional urban area into a green environment. The centre of the city is surrounded by a “green ring”, a semi-natural green area recovered from degraded regions; it ensures 300 m of green space, where the entire population lives (240.000 citizens). In order to increase biodiversity and ecosystem services, the authorities are implementing a series of measures. The flora and fauna re being carefully monitored, and the division of natural habitats is being reduced as much as possible.
With regards to the citizens’ mobility, the authorities have established strategic programs to provide eco-friendly public transportation. Citizens can travel by tram, bicycle or bus. To that end, the city has implemented projects for the development of a new bus transport network; two tram lines were built, 97 km of bicycle lanes – 30 km on streets where only pedestrians are allowed – and “park&ride” spaces were created. In the future, the city plans to create an additional 60 km of bicycle lanes and 71% of the public space will be adapted for pedestrians and cyclists. Electric vehicles also represent a key element in the city’s strategy for sustainable development.
One of the major issues solve by the authorities was the water deficit. In this context, the city managed to constantly reduce water consumption in the last 10 years. The authorities invested in order to improve water supply and quality, and to reduce and promote a sustainable consumption. The city reached its objective: to reduce water consumption to less than 100 l per capita. To that end, the authorities created a department which provides information about water consumption and efficiency.
Nantes …
… is the winner of the “European Green Capital 2013” award. It is the sixth largest city in France, with a population of 285.000 inhabitants, and the metropolitan area includes 800.000 inhabitants. In the last 10 years, Nantes developed a sustainable transport policy, focusing on bicycle mobility and public transportation, in general. In the future, the city plans to minimize or even eliminate individual transport and also improve pedestrian mobility.
Nantes has a well-established, integrated and sustainable transport policy. It’s the first city in France to successfully put back in service electric trams. This project will continue. In the following years, the authorities will invest in the acquisition of new trams, the supply of high-quality bus transport services and the development of new projects for bicycle infrastructure improvement. This ambitious transport policy managed to reduce air pollution. A new project plans to reduce CO2 emissions by ¼ by 2020. An original initiative for citizens’ health is a system which evaluated the risk of allergies by taking the shape of an experimental “pollen tracking garden”.
Due to the projects implemented, the city of Nantes managed to create a harmonious link between the green and blue urban areas, by approaching the urban challenges of a city located on two streams, Loire and Erdre.
by Pamela Luică
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