“Vienna waits for you”: Inspiration From The Greenest Cities In The World
Vienna was awarded Greenest City this year, according to an index created by Resonance Consultancy.
Those looking for city sustainability inspiration can take a cue from a line in Billy Joel’s Vienna: “You better cool it off before you burn it out.” Thanks to its detailed city planning, public transport and green spaces, Austria’s Vienna has (once again) been named the number-one green city in the world. This is according to the latest index compiled by consultancy group Resonance.
The criteria to identify which cities are paving the way for a greener future includes the percentages of public green spaces, total energy needs from renewable energy and population who use public transportation to go to work, the level of air pollution, per capita water consumption, walkability, availability of city-wide recycling, availability of city-wide composting and number of farmer’s markets. Let’s take a look at the top cities that made the cut:
1. Vienna, Austria
According to Resonance, “the birthplace of modernism” has a surplus of new ideas about mobility and public parks. This, the organisation adds, is thanks to a history of methodical city planning, and the fact that Vienna is the European benchmark for public transit. “Almost half of the city’s population holds an annual transit pass and uses it religiously,” Resonance says.
2. Munich, Germany
Photo by Matthias Schröder on Unsplash
Munich in Germany takes the number two spot on Resonance’s list, for various green reasons. First, it is one of the most walkable cities in the world, and it has a transit system that Resonance refers to as “enviable”. Add the latest, sparkling U-Bahn rapid transit system to the mix, and you have a winning green recipe where car ownership continues to lower. Keep in mind that it is still an urban centre (and the home of BMW!), which makes it a notable wonder that it has the “best air to be breathed in an urban centre anywhere”.
3. Berlin, Germany
Photo by Adam Vradenburg on Unsplash
Still in Germany, we now head to Berlin, which takes the third sport on Resonance’s list of top green cities. Its nickname, the grey city, may be rooted in its rich architectural history, but there’s nothing grey about living in this green dream! According to Resonance, Berlin boasts excellent public transit, an abundance of public spaces and city parks. Like Munich, it’s a walking haven, and locals are mindful about their impact on earth (which explains why the city has one of the lowest water-use per capita in Europe).
Other green cities that made the list include Madrid, São Paulo, Manchester, Lisbon, Singapore, Amsterdam and Washington DC.Is there a city that you would like to add to the list? Or one that you think has the potential to become a well-planned green city? Reach out to me via LinkedIn, and let me know!
