Words by Cheyanne Bryan
Ever wondered where your next holiday destination will be?
Well, look no further as these 5 cities are revered for their sustainable policies and practices. While this is not an extensive list, it should give you a start if you want to experience cities that are thinking beyond the here and now.
Amidst the urgent environmental issues facing our world, the idea of sustainable cities has emerged as a promising vision for a more environmentally friendly tomorrow. Here are our top picks.
Starting off strong with a Scandinavian getaway to Copenhagen in Denmark. Highly praised for its ambitious efforts towards efficient public transportation links, renewable energy sources (with the goal to become carbon neutral by 2025), and green urban planning. The city has invested in prioritising green spaces with special attention to enhance air quality and biodiversity. Copenhagen's holistic approach to sustainability has positioned it as a global leader in environmentally conscious practices.
Staying close by, we have Stockholm, Sweden and it is also recognised as a sustainable city for many reasons. The city has invested in renewable energy sources like wind and solar power, decreasing its reliance on fossil fuels and reducing its carbon footprint. They have impressive waste management practices, including recycling programs and waste-to-energy plants, helping to reduce landfill waste and promote a circular economy. We love that Stockholm prioritises energy-efficient buildings, pedestrian-friendly streets, and mixed land use to minimise environmental impact and enhance residents' quality of life.
Heading to North America with this suggestion, Vancouver hosts a range of strategies like the Greenest City Action Plan and the Renewable City Strategy to push sustainability in the region. With big targets to meet, the city is more encouraged than ever to make sure that the 90% of residents with concerns surrounding climate change are attended to. Additionally, they have even implemented an initiative to help with businesses wanting to go green.
With strong leadership steering the way, Rwanda’s capital has been transformed into a model for green urbanisation. The city has mastered using their environment to their advantage with high levels of investment into clean solar energy, and public transit. Public participation is a great way to ensure that the people are being looked after in the city, but Kigali has gone above and beyond to make sure they are engaging residents along the way which has made promoting recycling and composting around the city more successful.
Similar to many other cities, transportation and investment in clean energy is where most start their eco-friendly approach to urbanisation, however, Singapore excels when it comes to conservation and water management. Known as an incredibly densely populated city-state that lacks access to freshwater, Singapore has mastered rainwater harvesting to ensure water security and sustainability. Many counties in the surrounding area have begun to be impacted by climate change, so the city has been resilient in making sure they are not contributing to a growing problem with incentives to promote energy-efficient and environmentally friendly buildings and reducing carbon emissions from the construction sector.
This may be one of the lesser known cities on the list but Curitiba is a vibrant city located in southern Brazil. Bearing the title of Brazil’s Green Capital, this metropolis can be used as a blueprint for sustainable urban development. Like many places on this list, it has an amazing transport system with their noteworthy Bus Rapid Transit system (BRT) network, and embraces architecture with green building standards, but it also emphasises South America’s biodiversity to great lengths with botanical gardens and natural areas scattered throughout. The city’s culture is available in great abundance as the streets are populated with museums, theatres, and art galleries showcasing the rich history and creativity of its residents.
At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.
Climate Reframe. Climate Reframe is committed to supporting the climate and environment movement in its transformation towards greater justice, equity, diversity and inclusion (JEDI). Find out more.
The WildLife Trusts. This is a charity body composed of 46 regional wildlife trusts. Together they work to look after nature reserves and protect wildlife across the UK. Find out more here.
Ashden. This charity has the goal to accelerate transformative climate solutions and build a more just world, specifically working in the UK and Global South. Support them here.
