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Green cities are resilient, self-sufficient and sustainable urban spaces that seek to improve the population's quality of life

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Do you know what green cities are? Probably yes, but what does this concept mean? Green cities are sustainable cities, designed with respect for the environment, economically viable and socially fair operations. Green cities are also known as smart cities, as they invest in improving the quality of life of the population and in the search for efficient services in a sustainable manner.

The concept encompasses the pillars of sustainability, in which the environmental, social and economic aspects must be preserved so as not to harm future generations. In this way, cities would be able to support the activities carried out and at the same time maintain the quality of life of the inhabitants.

Green cities are places where people want to live and work, now and in the future. They meet the needs of residents, integrate well with the environment and contribute to a high quality of life through safety, inclusion, good planning, equality and good services for all.

The environmental degradation caused by various urban activities generates the need to rethink habits and ways in which we deal with the use of space. All over the world, cities grew in a disorderly way, causing floods, pollution, deforestation, social inequalities, housing occupation in risk areas, unemployment, among many other problems.

Pollution in cities poses a serious threat to public health. Many do not have adequate sewage systems and treatment plants, resulting in huge volumes of human waste and industrial effluents that are daily discharged into the environment.

Green city projects seek to minimize or resolve all of these issues. Areas such as smart and sustainable development, land use, transport systems, energy, water, waste management, education and public policies must be integrated to offer better living conditions for city dwellers.

Advancing in sustainable development means making more rational use of our natural resources, with the consumption of renewable energy, reduction of pollutants and waste, in addition to environmental protection. There needs to be constant public and private investment to provide sustainable initiatives and better income distribution. A green city must also be a fairer city for its inhabitants. For this, the social side must be more balanced, with better quality of life, access to health and the creation of education and employment opportunities.

To walk towards a green city, urban projects are rethought and cities are remodeled to privilege non-polluting transport choices that relieve traffic, such as cycling and hiking. Strategies like the active design are employed and there is a study of walkability of the place. Also, the eco-design and architecture are important tools for building green buildings that promote sustainability. Garbage collection must also be rethought, aiming to reduce environmental impacts and the social and economic development of the region.

São Paulo is an example of a city that lost green areas and open spaces as a result of the accelerated urbanization process. Urban gardening and urban design are alternatives for creating new green spaces in the city, offering food security and leisure activities for people of different generations.

Green cities must include green spaces - literally. Vegetation is critical for the supply of water, energy, improved public health and resilience to climate change.

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Cities must be adapted to the natural conditions of the place they are inserted, with strategies in the use of urban vegetation and in the surroundings to ensure an abundance of water, energy and quality of life. Thus, there is a reduction in damage caused by extreme weather events and chronic deficiencies in infrastructure arising from unplanned urbanization.

The idea is that green cities promote balance between the modern city and the natural landscape, offering the best of both worlds, even in the face of intense urbanization and climate change scenarios.

Currently, 90% of the Brazilian population lives in urban areas. Most of these centers have vegetation in constant conflict with urban structures and dynamics, have a low capacity for environmental services and an insufficient quality of life. The water scarcity of 2014 and 2015 in the Southeast highlighted the vulnerability of current urban systems and their disconnection from the natural reality of the Brazilian territory.

By observing this scenario, we realize the need to implement public policies to make cities socially and environmentally more sustainable and repair the deterioration of living conditions. To ensure that actions are lasting, it is necessary to think about: legislative frameworks, regulations, ordinances or norms; social policies and sectoral strategies; institutional frameworks and decision-making processes. In other words, systems that guarantee efficient, transparent and responsible management. You cannot think of green cities without questioning the political and economic system.

Strategies to achieve a green city depend on the social, historical and natural context of the region and country in which they are located. In more developed countries, initiatives are usually linked to urban planning with high-tech architecture, closed circuit industries that do not produce waste, among others. However, in developing countries, the path can start with ensuring food security, decent work and income, a clean environment and governance that thinks of all citizens. Among these solutions, urban and peri-urban horticulture also stands out.

One initiative does not exclude the other, but each country has its priorities and this must be taken into account when planning greener cities.

The concept of green, resilient, self-sufficient and sustainable cities is very complex and contemplates a transformation in the management of modern life. However, we must remember that it is gradual and involves the government, the private sector and all of us. Green cities demand a real change in behavior.

As the great Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer said: “It is not enough to make a modern city. It is necessary to change society”. Cities are a product of their inhabitants and their rulers. With both actors working together, all cities can become sustainable.

The change starts in your behavior. Choosing better the politicians you vote for, using returnable bags, consuming locally made products, reducing the excessive consumption of resources, rethinking the way you transport and dispose your waste. All these attitudes, among many others, can contribute to your city becoming ever greener.