Sixty percent of the world's population lives in urban areas. By 2050, the number of people in urban areas is expected to increase to 70 percent. Urban areas suffer from climate change and the weakening of social cohesion. By 2050, the negative consequences of climate change on living conditions will be dramatic. Resilient green spaces and sustainable cities are significant in coping with high temperatures, extreme precipitation, and consequent flooding and extreme drought. Today, it is known that most cities experience deficiencies in environmental degradation, traffic, inadequate infrastructure, clean water, and waste management. While cities cover only 3 percent of the world, they cause 70 percent of energy consumption and carbon emissions. Therefore, creating safe, resilient, and sustainable cities is one of the top priorities of the Sustainable Development Goals.
A green city is a plan considering the current population's future social, economic, and environmental impact and flexible living space. Sustainable Development Goal 11 defines green cities as cities with social and economic sustainability. The focus also includes minimizing the necessary energy, water, and food inputs and drastically reducing waste, greenhouse gas, methane, and water pollution. Ideally, a green city creates a permanent way of life in ecology, economy, politics, and culture. The European Investment Bank assists cities in developing long-term strategies in areas such as renewable transport, energy efficiency, sustainable housing, education, and healthcare. The European Investment Bank has spent over 150 billion Euros on improving cities in the last eight years.
Author:
Çağın Ergün
Source:
Birleşmiş Milletler Kalkınma Ajansı
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