How cities are using nature for sustainable urban development

Nature-based solutions can address urban challenges exacerbated by growing urban populations and the impacts of climate change. They are multi-functional, cost-effective and provide a wide range of benefits, from improving public health to reducing energy costs and pollution to regenerating urban spaces. Local governments can use green roofs and green infrastructure to help cities become 

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How Sponge Cities in China manage urban water challenges

Cities in China face significant water-related challenges, including flood, reduced water quality and severe water scarcity – exacerbated by rapid urbanization and more frequent extreme weather events.  Nearly half of cities in China do not meet national flood prevention standards and over half are considered water scarce. To address these challenges, China is implementing the 

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The blue, the green, the city in between

by Laura Spray, MSc Candidate in Geography at Universität Bonn / UNU-EHS – United Nations University of Environmental Risk and Human Security and Resilient Cities 2017 communications volunteer The City of Oslo, known fondly to its residents as “the blue, the green and the city in between” due to its unique position between the sea and 

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How cities can better manage risks and save money, lives and carbon emissions

Climate change poses an existential threat to cities. This is especially true when we take into account the risks posed by changing weather patterns, which increase the frequency and intensity of cyclones, superstorms, flash floods and protracted droughts. Among many other things, resilience-building is about managing such risks within the city. Of course, this is 

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Learn how to learn with Quito

Quito appreciates learning from other cities. Last October, they demonstrated their spirit of sharing and collaboration during the EcoMobility Days – held during the Habitat III conference – where they presented their transportation plans to cities and transport enthusiasts from all over the world to collect ideas for more integrated transportation. Once again, at Resilient Cities 2017, they 

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Nordic solutions with global relevance

Demographic changes in Nordic countries are compounded by climate change impacts, resource scarcity and population growth. This increases the complexity of building resilience in Nordic cities and regions. The Nordic Built Cities Challenge responded to these changes to encourage innovative Nordic solutions that may have global applicability. Three finalists in this challenge presented their innovations at 

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A storm is brewing and Copenhagen is ready

In 2012, the City of Copenhagen came to present their freshly adopted Climate Change Adaptation Plan, during a workshop at the Resilient Cities Forum. Today, five years later, they come back to share their experience with implementing that plan with other cities. Indeed, the Danish capital is not the only city to be threatened by 

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Experiments in ecomobility: The story of transformation in Kaohsiung

In 2015 the City of Kaohsiung decided it will take a bold step towards a more forward-thinking urban transportation culture. For the whole month of October 2017, the city will experiment with ecomobility – a more integrated, socially inclusive and environmentally-friendly approach to urban transport – through the 3rd EcoMobility World Festival. Throughout the month, 

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Letter from Pekka Sauri, Deputy Mayor of Helsinki – March 2017

Dear ICLEI Friends and Colleagues, Cities around the world have a crucial role in the transition to sustainable consumption and production by using sustainable public procurement (SPP) as a key tool. By introducing sustainable criteria in our purchases, local and regional governments are making our societies more sustainable, while at the same time ensuring social 

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How Copenhagen plans to become the world’s first carbon neutral capital

Ambitious cities around the world are setting their sights on becoming carbon neutral. This means that, after measuring their carbon emissions, they reduce those emissions as much as is cost effectively possible, and use equivalent offsets to balance the residual emissions and achieve a net zero carbon footprint. Copenhagen is one of those ambitious cities. 

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