Copenhague, the eco capital
When looking for the „greenest” city of Europe, Copenhague will feature among the top ranking cities for sure. Denmark’s capital of less than 2 million inhabitants ranks among the most liveable cities on the continent.
Wide green areas, hundreds of kilometres of bike roads, relying on renewable sources in harmony with the environment, Community and people looking after clean urban environment: all of this entitle Copenhague to run for the title „Green City”.
In 2009, Denmark’s capital was the venue of the UN Conference on Climate Change. It was during that event that the Community confirmed its active commitment to become carbon-free by 2025.
After being nominated for the title Europe’s Green Capital in 2009, Copenhague has taken a lot of measures to conserve and re-shape its seeside. The European Union has awarded the seeshore around the city its Blue Flag for several years; thanks to this, citizens of Copenhague can bathe on the beach right next to the harbour.
In the streets of Copenhague, one can meet old and young people, businessmen and students riding on bikes. As many as 35 per cent of the city’s population use their bycicles as primary means of transport daily. The Community has set a goal: by 2015, every second commuter working in Copenhague is supposed to use a bycicle, diminishing the emmission of CO2 by 80,000 tons. For this purpose, several decisions have been passed:
Superb biker roads are to be built between the city centre and the outskirts. According to a plan, traffic lights should be controlled in a way so that bikers riding at a speed of 20 km/h have a „green wave” throughout the city.
Also, the Community makes more than 2000 bycicles available for local citizens, who can use them all day long for a few euros; when returning the bikes, they get the deposit refunded. If the bike needs cleansing or repairs, bikers can call on a wide net of pit-stops equipped with all the necessary tools to inflate tires, mend brakes or cleansing. This net is sponsored by a big Norwegian oil company, establishing the pit-stops at pump stations.
Every citizen of Copenhague has an average 300 square metres of green area at his/her command. By 2015, fourteen new parks will be set up, 3000 trees will be planted in avenues, gardens and pedestrian areas. The heart of the city is in perfect condition: the broad channel passing the city is so clear that people can swim in it.
The Community and the building authority have launched a new regulation to promote roof gardens. The area covered by flowers amounts to 20 thousand square metres, including 30 roof gardens.
