What makes a city the greenest of all greens? There are thousands of cities and towns around the world that have established impressive recycling programs, planted vast tracts of protected green space, and promoted the use of resource-saving technologies. But there are those who stand apart, those who are actively fighting climate change on a significant scale and setting an example for the rest of the world to take part in this fight and help cope with other environmental problems.
The world's greenest cities embrace all the positive qualities that make urban life healthier, more enjoyable and more sensitive to nearby ecosystems.
1. Reykjavik, Iceland
To see an example of a major city administered to operate almost exclusively on clean, renewable energy sources, the world need only take a look at Iceland's capital. Reykjavik has taken advantage of its natural abundance of volcanic and geothermal energy, and only 0.1% of electricity comes from fossil fuels. Thanks to buses powered by environmentally friendly hydrogen energy, the local public transport system is one of the greenest in the world.
2. San Francisco, California
San Francisco and Portland, Ore. have nearly equal claim to being America's benchmark for environmental friendliness, but when it comes to measuring environmental impact, the former seems to be taking the lead. San Francisco was ranked among the top three greenest cities in North America in five out of nine metrics, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit, including energy, green buildings, transportation, water and air quality. Tough laws to reduce waste and emissions are widely known here, such as the ban on plastic shopping bags and the need to recycle.
3. Malmo, Sweden
Sweden's third largest city is a model of urban sustainability focused on renewable energy and abundant green space. Malmö is home to the third largest wind farm in the world, with plans to achieve climate neutrality in all operations by 2020. Designed in 2006 as the first fair trade city in Sweden. Malmö's recognition of sustainability is the result of decades of careful urban planning.
4. Vancouver, Canada
Vancouver, Canada's greenest city and second in North America (after San Francisco), is on track to reach its goal of becoming the world's greenest city by 2020. It is a center of innovation for the cleantech industry, boasts low carbon emissions, and draws an impressive 90% of its energy from renewable sources (mainly hydroelectric power). There are more than 200 parks, the new "greenest" neighborhood in America has been built. In addition, 55% of Vancouver's landfill solid waste is recycled.
5. Portland, Oregon
The fifth place in the ranking is the first American city to adopt a plan to combat climate change. Portland has more LEED-certified residential buildings than any other city in the country, and its land use laws ensure that the city remains dense while suburban and rural areas are preserved for agricultural purposes. A quarter of workers commute to and from work using public transport, bicycles or carpool (car sharing), and the authorities offer free parking spaces for electric vehicles, where, of course, there is the opportunity to recharge the battery of their environmentally friendly iron horse.
6. Curitiba, Brazil
Curitiba is the undisputed "green" capital of Brazil and, according to Siemens, the "greenest" metropolis in Latin America. There are 16 parks, 14 forests and over 1,000 green public spaces. Environmental legislation protects native vegetation that is threatened by urban development. 70% of waste is recycled. 1.5 million trees have been planted along primary and secondary roads. Even the grass in the parks is "cut" by a herd of sheep.
7. Copenhagen, Denmark
The coast of the Danish capital is dotted with wind turbines and the city is known as a world leader in the fight against climate change. Approximately a third of residents use bicycles for their daily commute, so tourists will find that "two-wheelers" are ubiquitous here. Even with these high numbers, Copenhagen aims to increase the number of cyclists by 50% by 2015.
8. Stockholm, Sweden
Stockholm, a regular on the lists of the most environmentally conscious cities in Europe, was awarded the European Green Capital award in 2010 for its commitment to sustainable development. 40% of the territory is occupied by green spaces, significant funds are invested in environmental protection. In the 1960s, efforts began to clean up the reservoirs, and today even salmon caught in the city's rivers is edible. Carbon emissions are only 3.4 tons per capita, well below the European average of 10 tons per person.
9. Hamburg, Germany
Hamburg - the winner of European Green Capital in 2011 - is renovating a large part of the city center in accordance with the principles of sustainability. For example, the new Hamburg-HafenCity is the largest urban development project in Europe. Over 1,500 km2 of redeveloped former industrial areas are now filled with homes, shops, parks, entertainment centers and other amenities. As one of Europe's busiest industrial ports, Hamburg has big plans to green its workflows. It is planned to use "taxi containers", each of which will replace 60 trucks to reduce environmental pollution.
10. Bogota, Colombia
In recent years, the Colombian capital has significantly improved its reputation, turning from the home of organized crime and poverty into one of the budding "green" cities. According to Siemens, this is one of the most environmentally friendly settlements in Latin America. Bogotá has an efficient public transportation system, hundreds of kilometers of bike trails and over 1,200 urban green spaces. The city dramatically improved air and water quality and within four years (between 2008-2011) put an end to the trade in its wildlife.
Do you know other "green" cities? Please leave a message in the comments.
The Brazilian city of Curitiba has been on the radar of the world community in the past few weeks thanks to the hosting of several matches in the framework of the World Cup. And only a few know that this metropolis is considered the "green capital of the world." And today we will talk about Top 5 greenest cities in the world.
Curitiba, Brazil
The history of the "green" Curitiba dates back to the seventies of the twentieth century. At a time when the postal world was expanding freeways, building new interchanges and parking lots, favoring personal vehicles, the mayor of this city, Jaime Lerner, presumptuously declared: “Curitiba is not for cars!” Having an architectural education, he personally took part in the development of a new master plan for the metropolis, which laid down the principles for the development of the city for the next decades.
This plan was truly revolutionary. For example, it did not provide for the reduction, but the expansion of green areas in the city, including in the central part of Curitiba, waste recycling, energy efficiency, support for producers and sellers of fresh products, and, most importantly, transport reform.
The result was not long in coming. Nowadays, Curitiba is considered one of the most comfortable and comfortable cities in the world. And well-designed public transport in this city is used daily by more than 70 percent of passengers, which is an absolute world record among cities with a population of over 1 million people.
The city is so obsessed with efficiency in even the smallest manifestations of public life that lawns in the city are not mowed by gasoline lawn mowers, but by live sheep.
The unique experience of transforming Curitiba has become the basis for similar programs in hundreds of cities around the world. Lerner and his followers set the highest standard, which is almost impossible to reach.
Vancouver, Canada
Canada's Vancouver has come closest to Brazil's Curitiba. Over the past decade, this settlement has been recognized four times as "the best city on Earth", which is the result of many years of painstaking work of city authorities and local businesses.
Located on the west coast of Canada, Vancouver has unique natural settings that allow it to develop to the maximum wind and solar energy, as well as tidal energy. And on all the rivers and streams surrounding the city, hundreds of hydroelectric power plants of various sizes have been built. As a result, about 90 percent of the electricity used by Vancouver comes from renewable sources.
The Vancouver authorities strongly support electric transport, including public transport. And the total length of bike paths in the city is approaching a thousand kilometers. The use of a personal car is condemned, and a bicycle is strongly encouraged.
Vancouver is also known for its green spaces. The city has more than two hundred parks and squares, and the length of the ennobled embankment is 30 kilometers.
Reykjavik, Iceland
God himself ordered Reykjavik to be one of the most environmentally friendly cities in the world! Paradoxically, Iceland is a much greener island than Greenland, and Greenland is much more snowy and icy than Iceland.
In Reykjavik, as in many other places in Iceland, there are many outlets to the surface of hot groundwater. This natural energy is used to generate electricity, heat water, heat homes, and even keep sidewalks on city streets warm all year round.
But the inhabitants of Reykjavik are not ready to limit themselves to only those benefits that nature generously endows them with. City governments and private entities annually invest millions of dollars in research into the efficient use of resources, as well as the introduction of new, intelligent technologies.
Many attribute these positive changes to the city's small size, which allows for rapid and efficient innovation. But the city authorities argue that this parameter only hurts. After all, it is much more difficult for a tiny settlement to accumulate a large amount of money for an advanced infrastructure project. And there are a lot of them in Reykjavik! An example is the city bus system, but which is driven only by hydrogen-powered vehicles. Even in the richest cities, this is rare.
Another impressive project under way in Reykjavik is an attempt to create a 5 square kilometer carbon-free zone within the city.
By the way, even the aurora borealis in Reykjavik is green!
Portland, Oregon, USA
The United States of America has never been particularly environmentally friendly. After all, they did not even sign the Kyoto Protocol, which limits emissions of harmful substances into the atmosphere. But there are cities and regions in this country that put environmental safety on the list of priorities higher than the economy. One of them is Portland.
Portland is nicknamed "The City of Roses". After all, it was from these beautiful flowers that the love of the townspeople for everything green, clean and beautiful began. This passion has resulted in the fact that Portland is now the cleanest and most environmentally friendly major city in the entire United States of America.
Portland has a successful light rail and rapid bus system. Every year, the network of bike paths grows with new tens of kilometers. City officials have set strict limits on carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere. They have significantly reduced the tax burden for energy efficient building companies and other environmentally responsible businesses.
Green spaces in Portland cover 350 square kilometers, which is well over half of the city's total area. The density of parks, squares and even forests in the city is so high that on the streets of this settlement you can often meet hares, foxes and other wild, but non-dangerous animals.
London, Great Britain
London, of course, is not yet among the five greenest and most environmentally friendly cities in the world, but in the coming years it will certainly appear there. After all, it is impossible not to pay attention to the dramatic changes that are happening to the British capital. The city, which a century ago was considered a symbol of thoughtless and harmful industrialization, in which it was impossible to breathe normally due to smog, has now turned into an example for other megacities in terms of environmental and infrastructure innovations.
The London authorities, led by the extraordinary Boris Johnson, have taken a clear course towards turning London into the green capital of Europe. They in every possible way limit the use of personal motor vehicles and internal combustion engines in general in the city. For example, entry into the center of gasoline and diesel cars costs decent money, but electric and hybrid cars can pass completely free of charge.
London is trying to catch up and overtake traditionally cycling cities like Amsterdam and Copenhagen. This settlement may in the future become the world's first metropolis with highways, overpasses and multi-level interchanges for bicycles passing through the entire city. Moreover, Norman Foster personally took up the implementation of this.
There is also a program in London aimed at developing alternative energy sources. Builders are required to equip absolutely all new houses with solar panels on the roofs, and owners of existing buildings who decide on such modernization receive tax and utility benefits from the city.
Each city has its own way to become green. Some, like Reykjavik, are lucky in terms of geography and natural resources. But all the same, the main role in such a transformation is played by the city authorities. Somewhere there are single enthusiasts who decided to turn the world upside down, somewhere there are teams of like-minded people united by the desire to make the surrounding space better. At the same time, experience shows that changes should not be expected at the state level - it should always be an initiative from the spot.
Somewhere they decided to make their city "green" half a century ago, somewhere this idea has reached only now. But the tendency towards such a perception of the world is obvious. And the sooner the authorities and the residents of the settlements themselves take up this, the better for all of us.
9 greenest cities in the world
Reykjavik, Iceland
118 thousand people live in the Icelandic capital, which, together with the inhabitants of the suburbs, makes up 63% of the country's population. All heating and electricity in the city comes from hydro and geothermal sources only, and city buses are fueled with hydrogen. According to estimates, Reykjavik will be able to completely switch to renewable energy sources by 2050 and become the cleanest city in Europe.
Malmö, Sweden
Malmö is known for its commitment to green technology. Thus, all energy in the Western Harbor comes from renewable sources, and local transport runs on biofuels. The Sege Park area is powered not only by hydroelectric power plants, but also by photovoltaics. And Augustenborg is famous for its city electric trains, which do not pollute the atmosphere, and botanical gardens on the roofs of houses. In addition, Malmö is full of all kinds of parks, harbors and canals.
Portland, USA
This city is a pioneer in US environmental initiatives: the first legislative acts, adopted there in 1903, outstripped the fashion for a "green" lifestyle by almost 100 years. With 50 U.S. Green Building Council-compliant buildings, 372 square kilometers of green space, and 120 kilometers of trails for joggers, hikers, and bikers, this is what Portland looks like today.
Freiburg, Germany
Passion for environmental solutions woke up in the city in the post-war years. Since 1986, only locally produced energy has been consumed there, almost half of the roofs in the city are covered with solar panels, houses are designed based on the latest environmental achievements, and the car-free center of Freiburg is world famous and attracts tourists.
Vancouver, Canada
The third largest city in Canada and the "Best City on Earth" according to the British magazine The Economist has drawn up a program of environmental development for 100 years ahead. The city receives 90% of its electricity from renewable sources, more than half of all garbage is recycled, and by 2020, local authorities plan to plant 150,000 trees and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 33%. One of the city's main attractions is the "greenest" building in the country, the Vancouver Convention Center, with 400,000 plants on the roof.
Copenhagen, Denmark
The Danish capital sends 98% of the garbage for recycling, and since 2010 all the roofs of city buildings are subject to mandatory landscaping. In 2006, Copenhagen already received the European Environmental Management Award for its clean waters and environmental planning system, and in 2014, Copenhagen will become the "Green Capital of Europe" for its merits in the field of environmental protection.
Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona regularly updates urban development plans, the first of which was adopted in 1859. So, back in the 90s, the authorities cleared and ennobled all coastal territories and abandoned areas, and now they are switching public transport to biodiesel and electricity.
Bogota, Colombia
At the beginning of the 21st century, the city underwent major changes: 290 kilometers of bike paths were laid, bus routes were optimized and 1,200 hectares of green areas were put in order. At one time, the former mayor of Bogotá, Enrique Peñalosa, said that "the city can be arranged either for people or for cars, but not for both at the same time" (after which he sharply raised gasoline prices), and the current authorities, apparently, are guided by the same principle.
Curitiba, Brazil
99% of Curitibans would never move to another city - and they can be understood. Local contractors receive tax benefits if their projects include green areas, and landowners if they retain 70 to 100% of existing forests on their territory. In 20 years, the area of city gardens has increased 54 times, with 1.5 million trees along the roads planted by the residents themselves, and herds of sheep monitor the length of the grass in 30 parks. The city also has a social program: poor families help to remove garbage from city streets and send it for recycling, receiving food and bus tickets in return.
Why is it important for a city to be green, i.e. environmentally friendly? The sustainability of energy resources is essential for the survival of our future generations. The green movement is the only solution for a brighter tomorrow.
There are many cities around the world where large areas are dedicated to green spaces and environmental projects, renewable energy is introduced, cycling or walking is promoted, and active participation in the waste recycling process is promoted. I present to your attention a selection of the 10 greenest cities in the world.
Oslo, Norway
The Norwegian capital Oslo is surrounded by wooded hills and lakes. Of the 454 square kilometers of the total area, 242 square kilometers of the area of this green city are covered with dense forest. In fact, more than two-thirds of the city of Oslo is protected natural areas. Stricter environmental legislation in the city aims to preserve natural resources and natural beauty. Oslo has a large number of parks, open areas and 343 lakes. The city government has a mission to make Oslo carbon neutral by 2020. The production of biogas from landfill and sewage only confirms how close Oslo has come to this goal. Oslo also has over 700 public electric vehicle charging stations. Electric taxis and buses will be introduced in the coming years.
Helsinki, Finland
Helsinki, the capital of Finland, is one of the greenest cities in Europe. This city is made up of over 310 islands, some of which are known for their beautiful sandy beaches. The government plans to build coastal parks to generate wind energy, designed to fully provide the city with electricity. Locals are completely satisfied with Helsinki's air quality, but the use of renewable energy can improve air quality to new heights. The main ecological principles of the city are aimed at protecting its natural environment and natural resources. Helsinki is also known for its high level of recycling. This not only reduces pollution, but also replenishes the energy needs of the city. In the field of transport, citizens most often choose cycling or walking.
San Francisco, USA
The high level of waste recycling is the main reason for the growth of San Francisco in the list of the greenest cities in the world. The city government has a mission to make the city waste-free by 2020. Non-biodegradable plastic bags have been banned in the city since 2007. Effective environmental programs and policies in San Francisco actively encourage the use of renewable energy. In the near future, the city will rely mainly on renewable energy sources, including solar energy, wind energy, biofuels and others. In this way, the city can become even greener and healthier than before. San Francisco also has a number of programs to encourage the community to use bicycles and electric vehicles. All of these measures not only help save money, but also reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
London, England
It is quite difficult to maintain green spaces in a large city. Surprisingly, half of London is covered in greenery and covers 14,164 hectares of green space, including parks, wildlife habitats, nature reserves and gardens. These green areas guarantee better biodiversity, no floods, less pollution and better air quality. The Kent wind farm in South East England is the largest offshore wind farm in the world, supplying electricity to the UK capital. This large wind farm produces enough energy to meet the needs of 25% of all London homes. This renewable energy project also significantly reduces the city's carbon footprint. Active promotion of renewable energy sources and new green projects will make the city completely green by the next decade. You can also see hundreds of hybrid buses on the streets of London. In the coming years, even more of these buses will begin to run around the city.
Reykjavik, Iceland
The Icelandic main city of Reykjavik has the largest geothermal heating system in the world. In total, there are 30 active volcanoes in the country, the energy of which is used for heating. Icelanders rely mostly on hydrothermal energy rather than fossil fuels. In fact, 100 percent of Reykjavik's electricity needs are covered by hydrogeothermal power sources. The high availability of geothermal energy in the city also satisfies the hot water needs of most residents. The use of these renewable energy sources saves the city from excessive carbon dioxide emissions, making it completely green.
Curitiba, Brazil
The city of Curitiba in southern Brazil is known for its elaborate urban planning. The city has 12 acres of green space per 1,000 residents, for a total of 400 square kilometers of green space. This creates better conditions for biodiversity, extra coolness and clean air. The popular Curitiba Botanical Garden is home to 350,000 plant species. Curitiba's strict environmental legislation securely protects its green areas. Illegal logging and use of land with rare plant species is strictly prohibited. Curitiba is also famous for its efficient public transport system. Most of the population chooses buses to move around the city. This limits the use of private cars and carbon emissions. Walking and cycling routes in Curitiba are also introduced everywhere.
Vancouver, Canada
The coastal city of Vancouver is one of the greenest cities in the world. Renewable hydroelectric power covers 93% of the city's total electrical requirements. Vancouver will continue to introduce more renewable energy sources to keep carbon emissions to the lowest possible level. The city government and residents have an ambitious vision to make Vancouver the world's greenest city by 2020. They also formed an efficient team called GCAT to achieve their mission faster. This mission also offers thousands of green business jobs. By 2020, they aim to plant more trees, improve air and water quality, promote local food production, and increase recycling processes in the city. In modern times, the city government is rapidly expanding Vancouver's cycling infrastructure. The number of electric vehicles and charging stations in the city is also increasing year by year.
Stockholm, Sweden
The picturesque city of Stockholm is committed to a green lifestyle and cleanliness. Stockholm covers an area of 6519 square kilometers, one third of which is green space. The city has 12 large parks, and residents receive maximum support from the city government to develop a green space on their land. Stockholm was also the first city to receive European Green Capital status in 2010. This Scandinavian city is also known for recycling waste and converting it into biogas. The government has focused on increasing biogas production over the next few years to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Stockholm authorities want to make urban biofuels free by 2050. According to reports, the city has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 25% since 1990. The green city offers its residents and visitors green urban transport and a well-maintained cycling infrastructure. You can rent a city bike from any of the hundreds of bike stations throughout Stockholm.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Bicycles have been an integral part of the culture of the city of Amsterdam for decades. This is the most common mode of transportation in the city, the infrastructure of which combines networks of canals and narrow streets. An extensive network of cycling and walking paths covers the whole of Amsterdam. In fact, there are more bicycles in cities than there are residents. On the streets of Amsterdam, you can often find electric cars, which can be charged at any of the 300 stations in the city. The Netherlands is also included in the list of the most environmentally friendly countries in the world.
In 2009, the Amsterdam city government launched a special project called "Smart City". The main goal of this project is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and save energy. To achieve this goal, the authorities are encouraging recycling, installing solar panels, using electric vehicles, as well as traveling by bus and bicycle. Most residents of the city use energy from solar panels and small wind generators. Most households are also equipped with an energy-saving system to save energy.
Copenhagen, Denmark
The Danish capital of Copenhagen is considered one of the greenest cities in the world, the most favorable for cyclists. The population of Copenhagen is 569,557 inhabitants. 50 percent of them prefer bicycles to cars. This is the most important mode of transport in Copenhagen. As a result of the Danes' love of cycling, the city has very low carbon emissions. Biking and walking tours are the best way to explore this beautiful city. The city is aiming to achieve zero carbon emissions by 2025. The Danes are also known for recycling and composting. This reduces energy consumption and environmental pollution. Copenhagen is focusing on increasing the number of offshore wind turbines that reduce the use of oil and gas.
The Danes are building energy-efficient buildings to develop the concept of an environmentally friendly city. These projects minimize energy losses in the process of heating and lighting. The government is promoting the installation of advanced heating systems, new windows, solar panels and insulation in buildings. Copenhagen is also aiming to increase the use of biogas in the coming years by moving away from fossil fuels. Not surprisingly, tourists can find many green hotels in Copenhagen. More than 71 percent of hotel rooms in the city are labeled as environmentally friendly.
Skyscrapers powered by the sun, rooftop gardens, wind turbines – the green future is here. In the progressive cities of the world, shiny high-rise buildings, plants rooted in the roofs of houses have ceased to be sci-fi visions of the future, but have become part of everyday life. In Chicago and Singapore, the money is being used to curb urban expansion, green cities and switch to alternative energy sources. Travelers benefit from the improvement of the urban environment: magnificent new city parks and gardens are being created, organic restaurants and breweries producing organic beer are opening, new sustainable architectural principles are being laid. Say goodbye to your car, hop on the light rail or bicycle - eco-transport - and get ready to see green cities in a new light.
Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen, with its friendly citizens, low-rise buildings, broken only by church spiers, consistently ranks among the most livable and environmentally friendly cities. The Danes began to develop and manufacture high-tech wind turbines back in the 70s and 80s of the last century. They actively introduced advanced technologies in the use of wind energy and as a result overtook the whole world in the use of alternative energy sources. Currently, a quarter of all energy consumed in Denmark is wind power. Copenhagen, which plans to become hydrocarbon-free by 2025, today gets most of its alternative energy from the Middelgrunden wind farm, two miles offshore. Middelgrunden is a row of 20 turbines set right in the water that look very futuristic from the harbor side. On wonderful summer days, feel free to join the Danish capital's cycling community (almost half of the capital's residents cycle to work) and ride through Strøget. This is a pedestrian area in the city center where cars are prohibited. And then go to one of the restaurants in the harbor, where you will be offered a treat of sea buckthorn fruits and rye grains. Portland, Oregon, USA
Portland is a city of farmers' markets, restaurants serving only local, seasonal produce, and organic breweries, among other attractions. Today the city has become a center for young and eco-oriented people. Much of the city's success in environmental endeavors is due to thoughtful urban planning that began long before the green craze. In 1993, Portland was one of the first to recognize global warming as a threat. Moreover, the city does not solve the problem of expanding its borders at the expense of agricultural land. Since the 1970s, Portland has been trying not to expand the city boundaries, protecting the fields surrounding the city. One of the best cycling infrastructures in America and a developed public transportation system were created. For a taste of what makes Portland so enjoyable to live in, head to the Pearl District. The area of the former warehouses has been transformed into an area of art galleries, boutiques and restaurants, the menu of which includes dishes from products from local farms. Walk a little more and you will find yourself in Forest Park - 2000 hectares of wild Pacific nature bordering Washington Park, the city zoo and a rose garden. Vancouver, Canada
Known as the Hollywood of the North for its role in many films and television shows, Vancouver could take the path of Los Angeles and become a giant anthill. But the locals have preserved the virginity of the nature surrounding the city, its wildness and naturalness. The City welcomes compact development in the city, encouraging the construction of basement apartments and sublease agreements that increase the number of people per square meter in the city center. The city government also obliges to comply with environmental standards of construction. At the same time, the city cannot be called boring. The urban past of the wild port city lives on and thrives in nightclubs and bars. A well-developed public transport system allows you not to worry about how to get home. The city also makes significant efforts to make driving an annoyance rather than a pleasure, which leads to the abandonment of the car and, accordingly, to reduce CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. For example, Granville Island, home to the City Market, one of North America's finest farmers' markets, is closed to cars on summer weekends. Curitiba, Brazil
Avoiding the “do it all for the sake of development” that characterizes other regions of Brazil (which destroyed most of the rainforests), Curitiba is looking for budgetary and, at the same time, eco-friendly measures to solve urban problems. For example, the city, which is located on a floodplain, designed two parks with artificial lakes to act as a buffer and absorb excess water instead of building a more expensive dam. This was in 1972. Since then, vacant land around the city has been transformed into 33 parks. By the way, here you will not see lawn mowers smelling of gasoline, but lambs nibbling grass are in abundance. The most popular parks have their own architectural marvels. For example, in the central park of Ibirapuera there are architectural masterpieces by Oscar Niemeyer. And in the park das Pedreiras is the Wire Opera House - a theater built from steel pipes. The Batel area is full of nightlife with many German, Ukrainian, Italian restaurants that reflect the ethnic diversity of the city. Singapore
While Singapore has hydrocarbon deposits, it also has lots and lots of sun, which has inspired architects to create stunningly beautiful solar-powered buildings. Foster + Partners has developed an entire block of Beach Road towers with solar panels and sloping canopies, scheduled for completion in 2016… The city government has launched a project to create gardens along the city’s harbor with huge greenhouses supported by columns entwined with greenery, which will collect rainwater and generate solar energy. Full of extraordinarily colorful flowers, the greenhouses paint a picture of a sustainable future. Gaze at the ever-changing face of Singapore, see the harbor with its eco-friendly, electric boats, or climb to the top of the ION Orchard Mall for unrivaled views of the city. Later, take a stroll through the city's famous street food trucks, which are raved about by almost every gourmet who has ever tasted local Malay and Indian fast food. Chicago, Illinois, USA
Like other cities in the US, Chicago is struggling with aging infrastructure and has been very successful in this. Chicago has added greenery to the horizon and new building standards. The city has launched the Green Roofs program, the essence of which is the cultivation of gardens on the roofs of public and private high-rise buildings. Goal: Reduce energy consumption, clean and cool the air with green space in one of America's most densely populated cities. City Hall has already greened the roof of the city council, and Millennium Park is the world's largest green space, located above an underground commuter rail station. Moreover, 500 high-rise rooftop gardens are scattered throughout the city. The observation deck of the 103-story Willis Tower offers an incredible view of the blooming air gardens of Chicago. And down below, you can pedal your bike on a new urban bike program to explore the shores of the world-famous Lake Michigan. Keep in mind, the length of the route is 50 km. Sydney, Australia
What happens when you entrust two world-famous architects with the task of transforming a defunct brewery into a green city center? Sydney's new Central Park! Architects Norman Foster and Jean Nouvel teamed up to turn a 150-year-old Chippendale factory into a self-sustaining cluster of 11 buildings ranging from 3 to 33 stories high, teeming with vertical gardens. The stylish off-grid, environmentally friendly “trigeneration” system used to heat, cool and power an architectural complex is so efficient that it will export surplus energy to the city's power grid. Sydney's many vantage points offer spectacular views of the bay, the city skyline and the stunning beaches of Bondi to the east and Manly Bay to the north. Nightlife has centered around George Street and The Rocks, where you can have a drink in 19th-century pubs. Visit one of the progressive restaurants serving fresh seafood dishes. Read The greenest cities in Europe
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