In today’s world it is not that easy to keep a city green. It can be really hard to cope with endless trash, pollution and traffic which are pretty lively in the modern city, and the true challenge today is making the best of the city, using wise transportation decisions, recycling programs, parks and playgrounds for children. But nevertheless, some cities try to do their best and compete with others for the name of the greenest and the most pleasant to live and work in.
Here is the list of ten places that can be considered green – here they care about clean water and air, renewable energy, growing number of parks and green areas, farmer’s markets and what is more, involves the community to participate in the process of making the city greener. There is no particular order in this top-10 – visit them all and decide which one deserves the first place in the chart.
Portland, Oregon
For the affordable city situated on the banks of Willamette River the sustainable living is a first-place priority. More than thirty years ago, when other cities were obsessed with building freeways, Portland tore down a six-lane expressway to have enough room for waterfront park, and this fact literally determined the future of the city. Today the city has boundaries for urban growth, aimed at protecting 25 million acres of forest and farms around the city, initiated the program recycling about two thirds of Portland’s trash and erected about fifty public buildings meeting the tough standards of Green Building Council of United States. Having a high rate of ridership in the field of public transportation, Portland is one of the most bike-friendly cities in United States. One of the nation largest parks – named Forest Park, – offers citizens about 74 miles of land for running, hiking and biking.
Austin, Texas
Those who associated this city with music only will be surprised to know that it has about 300 sunny days a year and is a home for the first “Whole Foods Market”. First of all, the city really looks green with its 205 parks, 14 nature preservers and 25 greenbelts all over the place. By 2020 Austin plans to meet 20% of its energy needs using renewable energy and make the whole energy system as efficient as possible. With city buses system that offers free rides for citizens on high ozone days, pay-as-you-throw trash collection program, laws protecting natural watershed in the region, a dozen of outdoor farmers markets, Austin easily gets into the green list of US.
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Being one of the top national business districts (according to the Environmental Protection Agency), Minneapolis is truly a paradise for any commuter, as about 60% of those working downtown use public or alternative transport to get to work and back home. Bike paths system, free parking lots for registered cars, bike lane system and sponsored locker rooms with showers – all this makes you leave your car and sit on a bike, and moreover – it reduces the air pollution caused by traffic. With clear drinking water, active community organizations, and the Minnesota State Department of Commerce nudging businesses and residents to hook solar systems up to the city’s grid Minneapolis is a great place to live.
Boulder, Colorado
We may say that being green was the lifestyle of this city since 1898 when city planners started the policy of preserving park areas. Today, having about 42.000 acres of pristine land, Boulder offers its citizens miles of hiking traces, picnic spots and rock-climbing areas within the reach for anyone. There is something more than a pretty picture – 90% of citizens of Boulder recycle, plumbing system has new water meters that limit daily usage of water, and lots of restrictions aimed at protecting ridgelines and peaks. Come and see the beauty of green city yourself.
Burlington, Vermont
This small city near Lake Champlain has responsible and pride citizens that choose to be green. For instance, about one-third of the whole city energy needs comes from renewable resources, which is quite impressive for a cold area of New England. As a response to the challenge put by local leaders, residents has formed numerous groups that watch after the city and keep it clean – from groups cleaning toxic sites, to watchdogs that control the pollution of the Lake Champlain. As pesticides are prohibited for use in here, and having stable agriculture, schools have switched to organic foods that were grown at the area of the city. Thus children of Burlington get the essence of green life from the early years of their life – this will surely return to the city and make it even greener.
Madison, Wisconsin
One of the greatest appeals of the city that was the first to offer curbside recycling, Madison, is its 15.000 acres of lakes and 6.000 acres of parklands. When people see the beauty of the place, they naturally want to do their best to preserve it, and here is when number of programs help. Recycling in the city get about 97% participation and 265 tons of various materials collected every week. Farmer’s market that goes all year round attracts vendors from all the fertile areas around the city, and bike paths over 100 miles makes this place a good choice for those who care of what they eat and what air they are breathing.
New York
Its not just Central Park that makes the city green – storied and efficient public transport and energy-efficient housing helps New York to be a true Big Green Apple. About 80% of city residents use public transportation (the fact is that New York burns gasoline at the same level as it was in 1920-s). Another interesting fact is that, calculated by square foot, the city uses as much energy and produces as much waste as any other city, but if calculating by capita, it seems that New York uses fewer resources than any other city of the same size.
San Francisco, California
Having lots of superlatives in its description – most expensive, foggiest, steepest, San Francisco add one more – greenest. With buses, subways and ferry services, the city offers residents numerous comfortable ways of transportation around the city – more than half of them use public transport to get to work and back home. With extensive bikes paths, beaches around Pacific and the Bay, and Golden Gate Park, city has great recreational options. Green building is quite a popular thing is here – about 20 projects are registered in San Francisco today.
Santa Monica, California
Just twelve years ago the environmental future of the area was quite vague, but thanks to active city council and Sustainable City Plan it constructed, Santa Monica turned green. Three out of four residents either use a bike or alternative fuel, and this numbers are the highest in the country. All public buildings use renewable energy, and in the last 15 years the greenhouse gas emissions in the city were cut by 10%. Add here miles of beaches, community gardens and farmers markets and you will get a modern green and beautiful city.
Chicago, Illinois
Great public transportation and commitment to sustainable and renewable energy, Chicago is one of the greenest cities in US. Having about 42 green-certified building for the moment, and all of city museums and Art Institute of Chicago running on solar power, this city surely impresses everyone who appreciates green technologies. Previous year about 20% of the city electricity was drawn from renewable energy resources.
These are the best choices for those who want to live green. You can visit this page and see what the options there are in these cities.