A green city has a plethora of advantages. It reduces air pollution, ensures water storage, and improves the environment. It is also essential for a climate-proof and sustainable environment. In addition, a green city leaves a positive effect on the health and social connections of people. To cut short, a green city provides an environment that every good citizen deserves. Here are five principles guide to design a green city.
Principle 1: Close to home
Compact development is a key to a green city. Every city must be designed in a way where people can access everything they need within a short walk or bike ride of their home. Instead of single-purpose areas, the project should support a balanced diversity (self-sustained). It should also support the local economy and inject life into the streets by encouraging active ground floors.
Principle 2: People-centered mobility
Walking and cycling should be the main way people get around in the city. Widening sidewalks and cycle lanes must be provided. This approach is used in many developed countries that provides an array of benefits ranging from lifestyle to environmental to economic. For instance, in Copenhagen Denmark, the provision of bicycle lanes and pedestrian-friendly roads has made cities more livable cities as this initiative reduces 57% dependency on driving, allows residents to live, work, and play in the same area, reduce the area’s carbon footprint upto 44%, and provide better access to entertainment services.
Principle 3: Clean construction
One way to achieve a green and thriving city is to reduce carbon, which refers to emissions associated with the construction of buildings and infrastructure such as materials, transportation, maintenance, and demolition. In this respect, initiatives like the usage of solar panels, rooftop gardening, rain harvesting, etc. should take place in new buildings.
Principle 4: Green space, climate resilient and nature-based solutions
Large-scale green spaces are essential to improve mental and physical wellbeing. They are also important to support climate resilience, biodiversity, and ecosystem services. The primary objective should be to provide all residents access within a 15-minute walk or cycle ride to a high-quality open green space, while also increasing the amount of greenery throughout the city. This will not only help to improve the Air Quality of a city but also mitigate the heat island effect.
Principle 5: Green economy
A successful city is one that can thrive environmentally, socially, and economically. A city should seek to create green jobs (short term and long term projects) with environmental considerations. For example, during inaugurating any development project (Orange Line, Metro Bus, etc.), environmental impact assessment (EIA) report must be prepared, submitted, and evaluated seriously.
