7 Hidden Eco-gems: Under-the-Radar Cities Worth a Visit
by April Streeter, Gothenburg, Sweden on 11. 5.08
Scenes from Malmö, Sweden -- a hidden green city gem -- Björn Söderqvist @ flickr.
Portland, San Francisco, and New York. These three cities consistently rise to the top of U.S. and even global lists of great green cities. And while these cities, through both some natural advantages and hard policy work, have earned their green cred, there's more out there taking sustainable city building seriously. Caveat: This is not a scientific list, nor is it a ranking. Instead, it's a list of current cities (thus we skip over the not-yet-real places such as Masdar, Tianjin, and Dongtan) that meet most criteria of effective green cities and are worth a look for both right now and future greening.
Photo of Malmö's western skyline and Turning Torso by bjaglin @ flickr.
Seven Habits of Highly Effective Green Cities
What all greening cities -- and we use the word "greening" as no city, not even Portland, is yet truly green with a capital "G" -- have in common is vision and policy plan for smart growth. After that, the other important factors seem to be:
- Good streets for bike and pedestrian traffic
- Robust transit
- Lots of green canopy
- Expanding and connecting of open spaces
- Natural storm water management techniques
- Renewable energy for metropolitan power generation
1. Malmö, Sweden
Malmö is in line to be a World Wildlife Fund (WWF) “One Planet Living” representative city. It was Sweden's first Fair Trade city, and you can tell in local cafés and restaurants, which feature lots of Fair Trade and organic choices. Malmö’s latest sustainable city plan takes climate change into account and sets goals for a 30% reduction in carbon emissions by 2020. Malmö is seriously building green, too –- the Hyllie section of town will run on 100% renewable energy and include lots of green roofs and urban gardens. Friendly competition from Copenhagen as well as nearby Växjö, which has won several awards for greening in Sweden, continues to keep Malmö on its toes. Malmö is definitely a role model for mid-sized green cities.
Photo of MEC green roof in Toronto by 416style @ flickr.
2. Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Generally when people think “green city” and "Canada" it is Vancouver that comes to mind, and for lots of great reasons, including 90 percent of its energy generated by renewable sources. But Toronto garnered top marks in Ethisphere’s recent evaluation of cities that would be able to call themselves “Global Sustainability Centers” by 2020. Toronto can’t perhaps generate as much excitement as Vancouver, but it scores well on the basics, has a good plan in place and some impressive stats –- the city has reduced greenhouse gas emissions 40% since 1990. Great ideas in Toronto include the adoption of a green roof policy, the green makeoverat the Brickworks, and zerofootprint toronto, which has the potential to inspire CO2 footprint makeovers and change the city's green self-image!Our list of green cities nobody talks about continues on page 2!
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I have to add my own city: Philadelphia, Pa.
Its in the top 10 for livablitiy without a car.
We have Fairmount park, septa, the Reading Terminal and the Itailian market. Its very bikeable...
And hey we have stuff to do and places to eat that suit any soapbox your on.
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Those are some beautiful cities. It is posts like these that help to keep the fight for greener communities in the front of our minds. As I've said in earlier posts, lets do all we can to help Obama initiate some national green policies to make the top 7 list all U.S. cities!
I keep waiting and submitting tips to TH to show our city, Grand Rapids Michigan! When I saw the title of this story, I thought "AT LAST!" Alas, no.
But here we are!!
Grand Rapids looks to philanthropist's example Detroit Free Press 10/19/08
Grand Rapids is ahead of the game in eco-friendly living Detroit Free Press 10/19/08
From the second article (emphases mine),
"More than half the state's LEED-certified houses -- those built to demanding environmental standards -- are in Grand Rapids. And the city has 32 LEED-certified buildings, more per capita than any other city in the country, according to U.S. Green Building Council figures. Another 50 LEED buildings are in the pipeline."
and
"His city is described as "America's greenest city" in the October issue of Fast Company, a business magazine that focuses on innovation and technology."
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Oakland!
A zero waste plan.
Green jobs efforts.
Lots more.
I can't believe Amsterdam is not listed - home of the bicycle.
Brighton? Are you joking? That's one of the trashiest places in England. You guys are pelleting that one. I would strongly suggest adding Chicago or Madison to your list, certainly in place of Brighton
What about Chicago?