Copenhagen – Green Capital of Europe
More than two thirds of Europeans live in towns and cities. This places major cities at the heart of the many environmental challenges facing us today, such as polluted air and water, and climate change. For years now, Copenhagen has worked intensively to meet environmental challenges, focusing on innovative and sustainable solutions. A green city is the precondition for a high quality of life that is why Copenhagen proudly accepted the prestigious award of the European Commission – European Green Capital Award in 2014.
Strategically placed at the entrance to the Baltic Sea, the City of Copenhagen has been an impor tant regional center for centuries. Copenhagen is surrounded by water, with many parks and green spaces. An integrated public transport network and the bicycle paths that line most streets make it as easy as possible for residents to choose environmentally friendly ways to get around. Copenhagen started life in the 10th century as a Viking fishing village. Within 100 years it had expanded into a busy market town. Because of its harbour, the city developed as a trading center of growing importance, until it took on the role of Denmark’s capital in the 15th century.
Copenhagen is already renowned as an environmentally friendly and green city, thanks to far-sighted municipal planning, support from national legislation and involving local people in decision-making. It has some 8km of sandy beaches within 30 minutes cycling from the city center, as well as popular harbour baths along the city waterfront. Despite its northerly location, the city benefits from the effects of the Gulf Stream, bringing warmer water from the Atlantic Ocean.
Summer temperatures can reach up to 32°C. The City of Copenhagen received the European Environmental Management Award in 2006, in recognition of a decade of long-term, holistic environmental planning, which halved the amount of sewage discharged into the harbour. The water has been safe for bathing in since 2002 and today it is possible to take a swim in one of the numerous harbour baths just 500 metres from City Hall.
Full content of this issue you can read here
The full version of the article can be read in our printed issue, also you can subscribe to the web-version of the magazine
The article was prepared on the basis of the European Green Capital Secretariat Award materials