Smart Eco Cities- A Beginner's Guide
What are smart eco-cities?
In short, these cities are the ones which go the extra mile to become environmentally friendly, by combining energy saving techniques with the latest technology. In the current eco-crisis, it’s important that cities set out policies and goals to protect the local environment whilst also considering how they can bring the latest innovations in technology to their plans. In this article we’ll highlight three of the most promising cities and projects designed around the smart eco-friendly ethos, pointing out how they’ve become successful and what their plans will be for the immediate future.
IssyGrid, Paris
One of the most relevant European districts to go the eco-friendly route is a small district just outside Paris. A French consortium led by Alstom and Bouygues, the district aims to keep its carbon emissions and energy costs low by informing its residents of their own personal use of these resources. By drastically improving its transport connections and electric vehicle charging points, IssyGrid can cover the energy needs of around 100,000 residents in total. The district will be developed in an open-end style over the next five years or so, and with support from outside information programmes, it aims to get maximum coverage amongst its residents.
Freiburg, Germany
A herald of sustainable energy policies since the 1970s, Freiburg has long been involved in plans to create a green eco-city. Its residents opposed plans to install local nuclear power and since then, the city has focused on green energy. With a football stadium powered by solar panels alone, research into the latest renewable energy resources and a commitment to green spaces, Freiburg is one of the most ecologically conscious cities in the world. In fact, the city itself is classified as a green zone after adopting the Woodland Convention in 2001 – 43% of the borough area is woodland and local government has worked to plant over 50,000 trees and maintain public parks without pesticides.
Stockholm, Sweden
This particular example has proven itself to be a smart eco-city through careful urban planning and promises to fulfil a policy agreement. The Vision 2030 is made of six environmental goals, aimed at developing efficient transport, sustainable energy and waste treatment improvements amongst other goals. Developers in the area are now obliged to reuse land before continuing the urban sprawl, meaning that rundown areas in the city are now revitalised with new construction works and projects. Former industrial posts are now modern and contemporary areas in the city, with the Hammarby Sjostad district being a primary example of this development – it means that the city can continue to grow whilst being environmentally friendly.
