Green Infrastructure that should be in every city
Cities all over the world are home to many people and innovation. While cities are known to have high pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, new designs are being created to help make cities more sustainable. Some cities are even reusing space they already have to create something new. These green infrastructures are helping make cities even more desirable and nature friendly. Let’s take a look at what cities worldwide are doing to help create a greener future.
Superblocks and 15 minute cities
Superblocks take city blocks and make them more environmentally friendly for those who already live there. Barcelona is an example of city blocks where they took a 3 by 3 grid of blocks and created a larger block. The inner streets of each superblock benefit pedestrians with greenery, bike paths and more while the outer streets will be for car traffic. WHO says that 25% of NO2 levels decreased in Barcelona city blocks. Some blocks have even grown pedestrian safety and reduced noise pollution. Overall, superblocks help make walking more accessible as well as some added health benefits.
Green Corridors and Tree Canopies
Trees bring cities to life, but they also have many other qualities that support healthy living for its residents and the planet. Tree canopies over streets and parks help provide shade and reduce the urban heat island effect. In addition to keeping cities cool, tree canopies help reduce stormwater runoff, air pollution, and increase biodiversity according to City Green.
One city who showed extreme benefit to green corridors was Medellin, Colombia. With more than 30 green corridors the government reported a 2ºC decrease in temperatures across the city. This turn around for Medellin leads as an example of what plants can do for cities.
Urban Farming
Community gardens allow for local farming to emerge in unconventional places in cities. Underprivileged cities usually contain food desserts, and do not give minorities access to healthy food. Implementing more urban farms not only allow for accessible food to residents, but unite a city together.
Urban farms are for people of all ages, and can continue to grow as the city grows. Education on where food comes from is important for all and farms bring this to urban areas. Like green corridors, urban farming decreases stormwater runoff and improves soil in addition to the food diversity they create.
Waste Management
Being largely populated and tourist centers, cities produce a lot of waste compared to more rural places. 82 million tons or 28% of U.S. garbage comes from product packaging. If more cities increase accessibility to recycling and composting, there can be a change in how much waste is produced.
In 2009, San Francisco set a goal of achieving zero waste. These past years they have passed multiple legislation in order to reach this goal. One example of this is all residents are supposed to sort their trash into compost, recycling, and landfill waste. Even though the city is not completely zero-waste, San Francisco is taking initiative. The city has diverted 80% of its waste from landfills as well as creating the first mandatory composting law in the United States. These waste management efforts are helping continue a circular waste cycle. Proper waste management can push the need for sustainable packaging that can be easily disposed of or reused.
Renewable Energy
It is hard to deny that renewable energy sources like hydro, wind, and solar are the future for how we power the world. Over 100 cities in the world use 70% or more renewable energy including 40 that are almost entirely powered by renewables. Most of these cities are located in Latin America, specifically Brazil.
A great way to start getting renewable energy into cities is solar panels, which can easily fit on tall buildings. Renewable energy is an investment for cities, but they will benefit communities in the long run.
Sustainable Transportation
Accounting for 23% of the worlds carbon oxide emissions, transportation is a huge issue that contributes to greenhouse gasses. Many American cities are car centered, leaving public transportation to not be a reliable option. This is where the country lacks as many European and Asian cities are 10 steps ahead.
Instead of building new highways that will cause more traffic and pollution, creating high speed rail across cities is a long term solution to drastically cutting the cost of carbon emissions. There is a strong need for more bike lanes, walkable cities, and accessible public transportation.
Reaching Every City
Every city should be aiming to be more sustainable. However, without the support from residents, projects that help build sustainable cities will not get passed. Being active in your local government is a great way to advocate for these ideas so you can start to see improvements in your city.