The world is rapidly urbanizing, and according to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, 68% of the world’s population is expected to live in urban areas by 2050. As urban populations increase, the need for sustainable practices to manage resources and minimize environmental impact in cities becomes increasingly critical. The concept of sustainable cities aims to create urban environments that meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own. By focusing on areas like green transportation, renewable energy use, and waste reduction, these cities prioritize innovative strategies to coexist with the environment.

So, what can cities do to reduce their environmental footprint, and what cities combine innovation with creativity to inspire others to do the same?

 

Transportation

One of the biggest contributors to environmental pollution in cities is transportation. Sustainable cities prioritize shifting away from private vehicles towards more eco-friendly alternatives. This is done through efficient and affordable public transportation systems, promoting the use of electrical vehicles through providing charging infrastructure and offering subsidies, creating a good cycling infrastructure, and many other attractive options that promote car-free living without compromising convenience.

Examples

• Montpellier, France – Since 2023, Montpellier has offered free public transport for all residents, making it one of the largest cities to take this step toward reducing car dependency and emissions.
• Bogotá, Colombia – Bogotá is famous for its Ciclovía program, where major roads are closed to cars every Sunday, allowing only bikes, pedestrians, and public transport. The city also has one of the most extensive cycling networks in Latin America.
• Shenzhen, China – Shenzhen became the first city in the world to transition its entire public bus and taxi fleet to electric vehicles, significantly cutting air pollution and setting a precedent for urban electrification. But, check out our blog post on the use of electric vehicles to understand the full environmental picture! [link]
• Cape Town, South Africa – Cape Town is investing in solar-powered electric buses and expanding cycling infrastructure while promoting car-free zones to reduce congestion and emissions in urban areas.
• Melbourne, Australia – Melbourne has one of the world’s largest free tram zones (around 4.7 square kilometres!), allowing residents and tourists to travel across the central business district without cost, encouraging public transport use over cars.

Renewable energy

Another huge contributor to make cities more sustainable is the use of renewable energy. Sustainable cities are actively transitioning away from fossil fuels and embracing renewable energy sources. Solar power provides clean energy and reduces dependence on traditional grids. Wind turbines strategically placed can also capture wind energy for electricity generation. Cities located near geothermal resources can tap into this natural heat source for electricity or heating systems. Additionally, small-scale hydropower projects on rivers or waterways offer a reliable and clean source of renewable energy, all contributing to a more sustainable urban environment. These actions are not just limited to businesses and government buildings but can be implemented at all houses. Many cities offer subsidies to encourage people to e.g. install solar panels, check out the options in your home city!

Examples

1. Adelaide, Australia – Adelaide offers rebates and subsidies for home solar panels and battery storage, leading to one of the highest rates of rooftop solar adoption in the world (approx. 40% in 2023, up to 70% in some suburbs!). The city also operates on 100% renewable electricity for municipal operations.
2. Copenhagen, Denmark – Copenhagen aims to be carbon neutral by 2025, with extensive wind power infrastructure, district heating systems, and subsidies for renewable energy projects. The city also promotes offshore wind farms and biomass energy.
3. San Diego, USA – San Diego is a leader in community choice energy, allowing residents to source electricity from renewable sources. The city has ambitious solar incentives and aims for 100% renewable electricity by 2035.
4. Cape Town, South Africa – Cape Town encourages businesses and homeowners to install solar photovoltaic systems through incentives and has been pushing for less reliance on coal by expanding wind and solar farms.
5. Quito, Ecuador – Quito is investing in hydropower and solar projects to provide clean electricity. The city has also introduced incentives for businesses and residents to adopt solar panels, reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

Waste management

Lastly, the concept of a circular economy is central to sustainable waste management in cities. This approach means less trash gets thrown away and more resources get a second life, minimizing waste and maximizing what we can reuse. This is done through waste reduction programs where residents are educated about responsible consumption and other strategies such as composting food scraps or using reusable bags. Additionally, sustainable cities invest in efficient recycling systems diverting waste from landfills and allowing valuable materials to be reused in new products. Lastly, for non-recyclable waste, waste-to-energy plants convert it into electricity or heat, reducing reliance on landfills and generating additional energy. This multi-pronged approach helps cities close the loop on waste, minimizing environmental impact.

Examples

1. Kamikatsu, Japan – This small town is famous for its zero-waste policy, requiring residents to sort waste into 45 categories for recycling and composting. It aims to become Japan’s first zero-waste town by 2030.
2. San Francisco, USA – San Francisco has a mandatory composting and recycling program, diverting over 80% of waste from landfills. The city enforces strict waste separation rules and bans single-use plastics.
3. Ljubljana, Slovenia – Ljubljana is Europe’s first zero-waste capital, achieving a recycling rate of over 68% through door-to-door waste collection, smart bins, and waste reduction education.
4. Pune, India – Pune has a unique waste-picker cooperative, where informal waste workers are integrated into the city’s waste management system, collecting and sorting recyclables while earning a fair wage.
5. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – Home to the Reppie Waste-to-Energy Plant, Africa’s first waste-to-energy facility, which converts municipal solid waste into electricity, reducing landfill use and providing renewable energy to the city.

Think out of the box!

Sustainability is also about being creative and thinking out of the box. Many cities encourage citizens to think together with the municipality to think of solutions to make the cities greener, cleaner and more sustainable. To help you with some inspiration, here are some examples of other actions taken by cities:

1. Buenos Aires, Argentina – Green Roof Bus Stops
   Buenos Aires has installed green roofs on bus stops, which help absorb CO₂, reduce urban heat, and improve air quality while providing a small oasis for pollinators like bees and butterflies. Similar actions have been taken in Wageningen, the Netherlands
2. Paris, France – Underground Cooling System
   Paris uses the Seine River to cool buildings through an underground water-cooling system called “Froid Urbain”, which reduces the need for air conditioning and significantly cuts energy consumption in public buildings.
3. Singapore – Supertrees at Gardens by the Bay
   Singapore’s Supertrees are towering vertical gardens that generate solar power, collect rainwater, and act as air purification systems, blending futuristic architecture with eco-functionality.
4. Lagos, Nigeria – Floating School & Buildings
   In response to rising sea levels and flooding, Lagos has developed floating schools and homes in the Makoko slum, built on sustainable materials and designed to adapt to climate change while providing education access.
5. Vancouver, Canada – Heat Recovery from Sewage
   Vancouver’s False Creek Energy Centre recycles heat from wastewater (including toilet water) to warm thousands of homes, reducing reliance on fossil fuels in a creative way

 

Feeling inspired? Positive news and reading about real-life solutions to sustainability problems really helps us stay optimistic about the future! Now, what does it take for all cities across the world to make sustainable developments?