The 7th International Ecocity Conference, located in San Francisco, warmly welcomed over 1,200 attendees from 73 countries. Presentations focused on urban planning for “smart” growth, green architecture, public transportation, renewable energy, climate change, and local food. City leaders also shared importance of social diversity, culture, spirituality, physical health, and family-oriented developments.
Curitiba, Brazil
Keynote address by Jaime Lerner, Former Mayor of Curitiba and architect, shares success stories implementing creative solutions to common city problems. Lerner’s characteristics of a sustainable city include less car use, garbage separation for recycling, living closer to work or working closer to home, and social diversity.
Lerner firmly believes that “innovation is starting.” Without money for subway infrastructure, the idea of “bringing the subway above ground” is realized by inserting boarding tubes at street level for articulated buses traveling in dedicated lanes. Rapid Bus Transit is responsible for 60% of city population using public transportation.
The city-wide recycling program originates in educating the children to separate garbage with instruction by the “family leaves”. Twenty-four hour streets respond to underutilized city areas by opening night markets for families. Curitiba celebrates ethnic diversity by dedicating parks and buildings to each ethnic group. Lerner’s family portrait analogy sums up his leadership philosophy. “You don’t rip your family portrait. Your city is like your family portrait.”
Vancouver, Canada
Brent Toderian, Director of Planning in Vancouver, preaches “livability” and “ecodensity.” Toderian defines livability as density done well. Vancouver’s transportation strategy defies common logic with no highways and no car oriented building of infrastructure in the last twenty years. Yet, it is the only city in North America to reduce commute time. Priority of transportation in the city begins with walking and cycling followed by public transit and movement of goods. Surprising, the single occupant vehicle falls last in transportation hierarchy.
The city has also found space to add 45,000 residents, including 2,700 new children. While many established cities face urban plight of families to suburbs, Toderain boasts that children are back by design and even building a new school to accommodate increase in students. Ecodensity encourages more people to live downtown and walk/cycle frequently. Vancouver’s success has earned a third place ranking in Best Cities in the World, featured article in City Mayors Environment.
Yoff, Africa
The City of Yoff is a growing farming and fishing village near Dakar and host of the 3rd International Ecocity Conference. Village Leader, Serigne Mbaye Dine, outlines their EcoCommunity Program for EcoYoff. Dine speaks of Yoff like a father referring to his family, with sincerity and genuine love.
The first focus area for Yoff’s long-term sustainability plan is culture/spirituality, illuminating the importance of community gatherings and roots that shape their identity. Second is education/training, followed by economy and food security. Population, health, and nutrition addresses physical condition of citizens. Finally, environment and infrastructure as well as habitat offers ways to conserve natural resources and respond to housing needs.
Freiburg, Germany
Wulf Daseking, Director of Planning in Freiburg, begins his presentation by acknowledging the dramatic population decline in Germany and Europe. Daseking refers to the people as the “dinky generation” and “double-income no kids.” Germany has a current population of 82 million, projecting in 25 years only 68 million citizens. The City of Freiburg is a university town with 205,000 residents surrounded by natural beauty with mountains as a backdrop.
Rieselfeld, a new development within city limits, is designed specially for young families. Residences face open space with car free zones for children to play. Structures are not higher than five stories and use 40-60% less energy. The new development also reduces reliance on the car dramatically.
Following the lecture, I spoke with Daseking about whether the child population is growing in his city. He replied, there is “too much green and not enough children.” Dasking did mention the child population is greater than surrounding areas, partially due to the new Rieselfeld development. Planning for families raising children in the city and saving energy should position Freiburg to sustain beyond current momentum of green initiatives.
Curitiba, Brazil
Keynote address by Jaime Lerner, Former Mayor of Curitiba and architect, shares success stories implementing creative solutions to common city problems. Lerner’s characteristics of a sustainable city include less car use, garbage separation for recycling, living closer to work or working closer to home, and social diversity.
Lerner firmly believes that “innovation is starting.” Without money for subway infrastructure, the idea of “bringing the subway above ground” is realized by inserting boarding tubes at street level for articulated buses traveling in dedicated lanes. Rapid Bus Transit is responsible for 60% of city population using public transportation.
The city-wide recycling program originates in educating the children to separate garbage with instruction by the “family leaves”. Twenty-four hour streets respond to underutilized city areas by opening night markets for families. Curitiba celebrates ethnic diversity by dedicating parks and buildings to each ethnic group. Lerner’s family portrait analogy sums up his leadership philosophy. “You don’t rip your family portrait. Your city is like your family portrait.”
Vancouver, Canada
Brent Toderian, Director of Planning in Vancouver, preaches “livability” and “ecodensity.” Toderian defines livability as density done well. Vancouver’s transportation strategy defies common logic with no highways and no car oriented building of infrastructure in the last twenty years. Yet, it is the only city in North America to reduce commute time. Priority of transportation in the city begins with walking and cycling followed by public transit and movement of goods. Surprising, the single occupant vehicle falls last in transportation hierarchy.
The city has also found space to add 45,000 residents, including 2,700 new children. While many established cities face urban plight of families to suburbs, Toderain boasts that children are back by design and even building a new school to accommodate increase in students. Ecodensity encourages more people to live downtown and walk/cycle frequently. Vancouver’s success has earned a third place ranking in Best Cities in the World, featured article in City Mayors Environment.
Yoff, Africa
The City of Yoff is a growing farming and fishing village near Dakar and host of the 3rd International Ecocity Conference. Village Leader, Serigne Mbaye Dine, outlines their EcoCommunity Program for EcoYoff. Dine speaks of Yoff like a father referring to his family, with sincerity and genuine love.
The first focus area for Yoff’s long-term sustainability plan is culture/spirituality, illuminating the importance of community gatherings and roots that shape their identity. Second is education/training, followed by economy and food security. Population, health, and nutrition addresses physical condition of citizens. Finally, environment and infrastructure as well as habitat offers ways to conserve natural resources and respond to housing needs.
Freiburg, Germany
Wulf Daseking, Director of Planning in Freiburg, begins his presentation by acknowledging the dramatic population decline in Germany and Europe. Daseking refers to the people as the “dinky generation” and “double-income no kids.” Germany has a current population of 82 million, projecting in 25 years only 68 million citizens. The City of Freiburg is a university town with 205,000 residents surrounded by natural beauty with mountains as a backdrop.
Rieselfeld, a new development within city limits, is designed specially for young families. Residences face open space with car free zones for children to play. Structures are not higher than five stories and use 40-60% less energy. The new development also reduces reliance on the car dramatically.
Following the lecture, I spoke with Daseking about whether the child population is growing in his city. He replied, there is “too much green and not enough children.” Dasking did mention the child population is greater than surrounding areas, partially due to the new Rieselfeld development. Planning for families raising children in the city and saving energy should position Freiburg to sustain beyond current momentum of green initiatives.
1 comment:
Thanks so much for bringing this essential aspect of our sustainable future into the foreground of the conversation. You do a great service to everyone who looks at the world in a holistic manner.
Keep up the good work!!
- ath
Post a Comment