Green cities Europe

Sweden, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Denmark, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Poland, Netherlands, France, Bulgaria, Belgium

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Related organizations

ENA (European Nurserystock Association)

Problems

Europe is becoming increasingly urbanized as more and more Europeans live and work in cities, towns, and suburbs. The quality of life in urban areas depends a lot on the quality of the local environment. For example, it depends on the quality of the air and water, access to nature and biodiversity, noise pollution levels, and the ability to keep cool as temperatures rise.

Most resources are consumed in cities, and many environmental challenges are found. At the same time, cities offer opportunities to tackle environmental issues, with people living and working closer together, managing and sharing resources efficiently using the principles of the circular economy, reducing the need for private motorized transport, and living in more energy-efficient buildings.

The EU recognizes that cities are crucial in achieving the European Green Deal's aims, delivering a low-carbon, resource-efficient, sustainable, and resilient society. The Commission funds many projects and initiatives that focus on air, water, noise, preserving and restoring green spaces, improving waste management, and enhancing the circular economy. Therefore, EU cities and their local governments are essential partners in implementing laws, policies, and programs on pollution.

Solutions

European Green Cities (EGC) – striving for a sustainable Europe

Author: Green Cities Europe

Green Cities Europe is an initiative by the ENA (European Nurserystock Association) and nursery organizations in Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, and Sweden.

Green Cities Europe’s project addresses five main themes: health, climate, the economy, biodiversity, and social cohesion. Each theme highlights the benefits of urban greening for different aspects of human well-being and environmental sustainability. For example, green spaces can improve health by reducing stress, enhancing mental health, promoting physical activity, and lowering exposure to air pollution and noise. Green spaces can also mitigate climate change by reducing the urban heat island effect, sequestering carbon, and enhancing water management.

Moreover, green spaces can boost the economy by increasing property values, attracting businesses and tourists, creating jobs, and saving energy costs. Furthermore, green spaces can enhance biodiversity by providing habitats for wildlife, increasing pollination, and supporting ecosystem services. Finally, green spaces can foster social cohesion by improving social interactions, reducing crime, enhancing civic participation, and promoting cultural diversity.

National and regional governments, city councils, and recreational boards are already aware of the dangers of climate change. In many cases, however, there is not enough accessible knowledge or scientific backing available to convince decision-makers that mitigation of the negative consequences of climate change is one of the most crucial issues when developing new housing projects and improving living conditions in existing projects and older cities.

The project ‘Green Cities Europe’ aims to help the professionals who play a decisive role in city and landscape planning and is not directed to the general public. The project will provide tools and technical background for decision-makers and politicians to communicate this message of green cities for a sustainable Europe to the citizens they serve. The main method will be a series of congresses, seminars, and B2B meetings, an extended website, PR activities, and a European Green Cities Award installation.

The project ‘Green Cities Europe’ is a platform that encourages the greening of public spaces by providing innovative ideas, information based on scientific research, and technical expertise. Its activities address certain themes: health, climate, the economy, biodiversity, and social cohesion. The project also supports the EU’s Mission “100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities by 2030”, which seeks to achieve 100 climate-neutral and smart European cities by 2030 and to ensure that these cities act as experimentation and innovation hubs to enable all European cities to follow suit by 2050.

Source: https://thegreencities.eu/

Gallery

55 percent of the world’s population resides in urban areas

urban forests and trees can reduce air temperature by up to 8 degrees Celsius, reduce the costs of air conditioning by up to 40 percent

Smaller cities have higher rates of poverty than larger cities

By 2050 the urban population is expected to rise to 68 percent, mainly in low-income countries

Timelines

2022

The EU announced the 100 EU cities that will participate in the EU Mission for 100 climate-neutral and smart cities by 2030, the so-called Cities Mission. The Cities Mission will receive €360 million of Horizon Europe funding covering the period 2022-23 to start the innovation paths towards climate neutrality by 2030.

2020

FAO launched its Green Cities Initiative aimed at improving the livelihoods and well-being of urban and peri-urban populations in at least 100 cities worldwide in the next three years, looking to have 1000 cities join by 2030.

2019

The European Nurserystock Association (ENA) General Assembly met in Essen, Germany, during the IPM trade show. Thirty-nine delegates from nineteen countries participated and discussed the main concerns of the European nursery sector.

2015

The European Green Leaf Award was born out of the success of the European Green Capital Award and the need to recognize cities of a smaller size.

2008

The green vision was translated into a joint Memorandum of Understanding establishing an Award to recognize cities that are leading the way with environmentally friendly urban living. The European Commission launched the initiative.

1996

The European Green Cities network was established in relation to the EU Thermie project European Green Cities. EGC is a forum for innovation projects, exchange of knowledge, and dissemination of Sustainable Urban Housing initiatives and good examples etc.