After Stockholm was selected as Europe’s Green Capital in 2010 the Award has now been given to Hamburg. “Situated on the banks of the river Elbe, Hamburg has a population of about 1.8 million and faces numerous metropolitan challenges. However Germany’s second largest city combines comprehensive approaches, policy -commitment and the necessary funding needed to resolve these challenges. On the whole, it has an integrated and participative planning strategy and a strong commitment towards a ‘green’ vision”, states the committee on the award webpage.
“The quality of local ambient air is very good, and there are well defined targets, excellent results, future plans and structured monitoring with respect to climate change. Hamburg seeks green answers to metropolitan challenges and, has innovative ideas on how to share experience and best practice as the European Green Capital of 2011.”
Also the New York Times paid attention to this year’s Award winner: “A sign facing the Alster fountain in the historic city center of Hamburg, its most expensive shopping district, explains that besides its status as a city icon, the fountain helps oxygenate the water and is partially responsible of Hamburg’s improved water quality. While the fountain has been providing oxygenation to Lake Alster for a quarter century, the notice announcing its ecological impact only went up this year, part of an awakening self-consciousness Hamburg has developed as a city of the future. By both reshaping how it sees the old and by audaciously building new development, Germany’s second-largest city after Berlin is positioning itself as a leader in urban design and practice, and spending billions of Euros in the process.”
To read more visit ec.europa.eu and www.nytimes.com
Pictures Flickr:
Top: Hamburg Alster © baden03,
Bottom left: Hamburg Speicherstadt © franartculinary;
Bottom right: Magelland Terrraces © woaiwenti
