A SUSTAINABLE WORLD

The involvement of authorities, private sectors and citizens is essential to combat the effects of climate change and achieve sustainable cities.

Nowadays, sustainable cities have become a great challenge for their population as they play a critical role in mitigating climate change.They do so by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving the protection of ecosystems.

Certainly, sustainable urban development is of great importance due to the rapid growth of urban population and the environmental problems that are being faced globally.

Therefore, it is crucial to understand what sustainable cities are and their importance in environmental issues. Considering the situation in our country, some Spanish cities have made their way into the IMD?s Smart City Index 2024, a ranking that classifies the 142 smartest and most sustainable cities in the world. These are Bilbao (29th), Madrid (35th), Zaragoza (57th) and Barcelona (81st), which repeat as the only four Spanish cities in the ranking.

What are sustainable cities?

Sustainable cities are those cities that are prepared for the adverse impacts of climate change, identifying and reducing the harmful ecological habits of their population and promoting sustainable consumption as well as production patterns.

The importance of these cities lies in their application of ecological practices related to the construction and consumption of resources, the reduction of carbon emissions and minimisation of pollution. This guarantees their inhabitants the indispensable resources for their necessities, such as adequate health centers, quality education, garbage collection, security and good air quality, among many other services.

From regular cities to sustainable cities

All changes involve economic costs, whilst most local governments have limited fiscal autonomy, insufficient human and financial resources, and little access to data and technology. This makes transitioning to a sustainable city more difficult.

Despite these cities having clear advantages, they also have several inconveniences that governments are gradually trying to improve.

Typical cities are those with high energy consumption, car dependence, limited green areas, as well as similar problems related to our lifestyles and their rate of resource consumption.

To achieve this great and important transformation, many changes are needed, among which the following are the most important:

Saving water: Water scarcity is one of the most worrying consequences of climate change because it is a vital resource for virtually all species and, hence, for the maintenance of ecosystems.     

Reducing CO2 emissions: Sustainable cities are known for approaches and programmes that promote the reduction of car usage, giving priority instead to the bicycle, walking or public transport.

Increasing the number of parks and forest: One of the implementations that can easily be perceived in a sustainable city is its large amount of green spaces that can be found. 

Proper waste management: A sustainable city should have exemplary waste management, which includes recycling, composting, incineration, landfills which follow proper regulations, bioremediation, waste-to-energy and waste minimisation.

Objectives of sustainable cities

The most prominent goal of sustainable cities is to make these regions inclusive, safe, resilient and respectful with the environment, but what can we do to help achieve this goal?

Citizens can pressure local governments to implement policies and regulations that encourage the promotion of sustainable urban development, such as the creation of green spaces, promoting public transport and energy efficiency in buildings.  Encouraging the use of public transport, pedestrian and cycling infrastructure and implementing car sharing schemes can also reduce car dependency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

What can I do to help achieve this goal?

Take an active part in the administration and management of your city. Advocate for the kind of city you think you deserve.

Assess the overall status of your building, street and neighborhood and act accordingly to achieve it. Is there enough work? Can your children walk to school safely? Can you go for a walk with your family in the evening? How far is the nearest public transport stop? Is the air quality good? How are the shared public spaces? These are just some examples regarding actions that you yourself can do and get involved with. The better the conditions in which the community operates, the greater the effect on quality of life.

Examples of sustainable cities

A key example of a sustainable city is Oslo, the Norwegian capital, which has been working for years to restructure its urban fabric in order to create a green, sustainable and innovative city.

The city is considered the world?s city of electric vehicles as transport is one of Oslo's main approaches to reduce CO2 emissions.

Another leading example is Berlin, which has a young population and a historical preference for public transport over the car.

Its commitment to sustainable development can be seen in the more than 2500 green spaces and hundreds of cycle paths that can be found in the city. Additionally, incentives are provided in order to boost the circular economy.