The world continues to grapple with the impacts of the climate crisis and businesses are increasingly working to embrace environmental sustainability. Addressing the sustainability of our cities could be a real game-changer. Current urban development patterns often reinforce the disconnect between nature and humans and undermine biodiversity. Cities are a significant contributor to climate change, land-use change, the introduction of invasive species, and nitrogen deposition. With this in mind, it is no surprise that the green city concept is becoming increasingly important as we work to establish more environmentally friendly and sustainable urban areas.
What is a green city?Â
A green city, or as it is sometimes described, a sustainable or eco-city, is an urban enclave where construction, design, and operation prioritise the preservation of the natural world alongside the social, physical, and economic health and wellness of the city’s inhabitants.Â
These cities take the long view by curbing damage to local ecologies and creating compact resilient urban spaces that will offer shelter for many generations to come. Issues such as biodiversity, conservation, air and water quality, and land use are carefully considered when establishing a green city.Â
In a time when we are tackling an environmental crisis, sustainable cities could also be able to adapt to the changing climate and withstand extreme weather events such as hurricanes, wildfires, and floods. Most modern cities are not sustainable despite their best efforts.Â
Common features of green cities include things like community gardens, rooftop gardens, cycling infrastructure, LEED-certified buildings made from green concrete, renewable and locally sourced wood or recycled plastics, and zero-emission renewable energy. In a lot of cases, cars are also banned in green cities, and public transport, cycling, or walking is the norm.Â
Why build a green city?Â
Some argue that green cities are not only attainable but key to our survival. The main driver behind green cities is the need to protect the natural world and all humans living on Earth. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has made it clear that unless we make drastic changes within the next few years, the environmental damage will worsen beyond repair, and the planet will become inhospitable.Â
If we can retrofit cities to conserve landmass, limit the use of automobiles, and draw power from renewable energy sources, this alone could help us make a serious contribution to reducing carbon emissions. Eco-cities also lessen the impact of cities on surrounding ecosystems since they call for mindful upward and compact construction on a smaller footprint.Â
Green cities can also bring benefits to mental and physical health by making cities more walkable and ensuring that amenities are easily accessible by bike or foot. One recent study revealed 57 percent of people who identified their community as walkable described their quality of life as high. Sustainable cities also encourage interconnectivity, which has been found to reduce rates of depression and anxiety. By contrast, those living in today’s poorly designed cities were associated with almost a 40 percent increase in mood-related disorders.Â
Gain a deep understanding and practical insights into key sustainability topics to assess, report, & communicate on business sustainability. Fully online, self-paced learning.
How to build a green city
Green cities have a range of different characteristics to ensure they pose minimal threat to the environment and prioritise human health and wellbeing. One of the initial areas to address when making a city more sustainable is transportation. Sustainable cities will prioritise alternative methods of transportation like public transport, cycling, and walking, and even in some cases, completely ban cars.
Green cities will also feature greenery and open public green spaces, which are undeniably good for public health but also help reduce pollution and enhance biodiversity. Eco-cities will also feature green architecture as a means to reduce carbon emissions. Features of green architecture include smart heating and cooling systems, solar panels, and natural building materials like bamboo or stone.Â
A green city will also determine the best possible ways to conserve water and manage waste. Some water conservation practices a green city may employ include green infrastructure like restoring wetlands and rainwater harvesting. In terms of waste, green cities often adopt strong recycling programmes and have stricter rubbish collection policies.Â
Examples of green cities around the world
Below are some examples of green cities around the world that are leading in sustainability efforts.
Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen aims to become the world’s first carbon-neutral city by 2025. It relies heavily on wind power, solar energy, and district heating systems. The city is also driving a cycling culture and currently over 40 percent of its residents commute by bicycle. Copenhagen is encouraging this shift by implementing extensive bike lanes. Moreover, the city promotes green architecture with energy-efficient designs and sustainable materials, including the energy-positive ‘Copenhagen Towers’.Â
Reykjavik, Iceland
Nearly 100 percent of electricity in Reykjavik comes from renewable sources, primarily geothermal and hydropower. The city plans to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040 with significant investments in public transport, green vehicles, and renewable energy. Additionally, the city is prioritising the preservation of nature by protecting a vast number of green spaces to promote biodiversity and nature-based solutions.
Vancouver, Canada
Vancouver aims to become the world’s greenest city by reducing carbon emissions, improving green transportation, and enhancing waste management systems. Investments in electric buses, bike lanes, and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure have made Vancouver one of North America’s most sustainable cities. Vancouver also has strong green building standards, promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy use in both residential and commercial sectors.
Stockholm, Sweden
Stockholm aims to be fossil-fuel-free by 2040. It has implemented large-scale renewable energy use and efficient public transport systems. In addition, the city has a waste-to-energy programme that converts nearly all household waste into energy, reducing landfill usage significantly. The city is also adopting eco-districts, such as the Hammarby Sjöstad, a sustainable urban development project that integrates renewable energy, green building practices, and water conservation.
Curitiba, Brazil
Curitiba is known for its pioneering Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, which has reduced traffic congestion and pollution. The city has also preserved significant amounts of green space, with more than 50 square metres of green space per resident. Not to mention, Curitiba has a highly effective waste management and recycling programme, with incentives for residents to recycle materials.
Future-proof your skills in business sustainability with a globally-recognised, in-demand course curated by industry experts
Challenges and considerations with green cities
Green cities aim to create sustainable urban environments, but they face several challenges as they pursue this goal. Below are some of the key challenges.Â
High initial costs
Developing green cities often requires significant upfront investments in infrastructure. For example, investments in renewable energy systems, public transportation, and green building projects. These costs can be a barrier, especially for cities with limited budgets.Â
On top of that, many sustainability initiatives, such as energy-efficient buildings or public transportation systems, may take years or decades to generate financial returns, which can deter investment.
Balancing development with green space
Cities need to balance the need for urban development, such as housing and businesses, with the preservation of green spaces. Overdevelopment can threaten parks, community gardens, and biodiversity. Additionally, green spaces may compete with other urban priorities like housing or commercial development, creating challenges for urban planners in maintaining sufficient greenery.
Social equity and inclusion
Sustainability efforts, such as green neighbourhoods or eco-friendly developments. This can lead to gentrification, making housing unaffordable for lower-income residents and displacing vulnerable populations.
It is also important to note that green infrastructure, like parks or clean public transport, may not be evenly distributed, potentially leaving marginalised communities with less access to these benefits.
Technological and innovation barriers
Technology in areas like energy efficiency, renewable energy, and green transportation is evolving quickly. Therefore, cities may face challenges in keeping up with innovations and upgrading outdated infrastructure.
Another associated hurdle here is data management because the smart technologies required for efficient energy and water management require robust systems. Within this, there is also the ongoing challenge of ensuring data privacy and security while using technology to optimise city functions.Â
Public participation and behaviour change
Residents and businesses may resist changes that require altering habits, such as reducing car use, adopting recycling programmes, or shifting to renewable energy sources. Without adequate community buy-in, sustainability efforts may falter. Therefore, strong communication and education efforts will be needed to encourage widespread participation in green initiatives.
Summary
Green cities are a testament to the potential of urban areas to be catalysts for sustainable development. By prioritising sustainability in urban planning, infrastructure, and daily living, cities can reduce their carbon footprints, enhance biodiversity, and improve the well-being of their residents.Â
The journey towards creating green cities is not without its challenges but with strong leadership, investment, and community engagement, cities can transform into hubs of environmental innovation. Given the benefits green cities can offer for the environment, human health and wellbeing, and the economy, we should hope to witness more of these efforts.Â
