The cleanest cities in the world in 2017

The problem of environmental pollution has long been on the agenda: scientists from around the world are sounding the alarm and calling for the necessary measures to protect nature and the atmosphere. Exhaust gases, tons of garbage, excessive consumption of water and energy resources - all these factors are slowly but surely leading humanity to an environmental disaster on a global scale. However, there is good news: today there are many megalopolises whose authorities are putting all their efforts into maintaining a healthy environment and developing innovative projects to reduce air pollution. So which city deserves to be entitled the "cleanest city in the world"?

10. Singapore

The tenth line in our top of the cleanest cities in the world is occupied by the city-state of Singapore. This megalopolis with unusual futuristic architecture and the largest ferris wheel on the planet is visited by millions of tourists every year. But, despite the large tourist flow, Singapore manages to maintain its standards of cleanliness and follow established requirements. Very often this state is called the "City of Prohibitions", and there are objective reasons for this.

There are very strict laws that are designed to ensure a high level of cleanliness, equally applicable to both citizens and foreigners. For example, police officers can fine you for a round amount if you throw away trash in a public place, spit, smoke, chew gum or have a meal in public transport. Penalties in such cases start at $ 750 and can amount to thousands of dollars. Not surprisingly, Singapore is one of the ten cleanest cities in the world.

9. Curitiba

The city of Curitiba, located in southern Brazil, is one of the cleanest cities in the world. He is known for his high standard of living, and in media he is often called "Brazilian Europe." Being one of the most prosperous megacities in Brazil, Curitiba is literally surrounded by greenery and is full of numerous parks. Thanks to such conditions, it is deservedly ranked among the most environmentally friendly cities in the world.

The symbol of Curitiba has become a huge coniferous tree - araucaria, which grows in large quantities in the city, which successfully affects its general ecology. An important role in improving the level of cleanliness in the metropolis, including in local slums, was the program for the exchange of garbage for food and free travel. This allowed the municipal authorities to save Curitiba from the abundance of cans and plastic cans. Today, more than 70% of municipal waste is subject to distribution and recycling.

8. Geneva

Being one of the most famous cities in Switzerland, often referred to as the capital of the world, Geneva has a high level of ecology and safety. It is not surprising that she was on the list of the cleanest cities in the world: after all, it is here that the Geneva Environment Network, a group of global companies developing new environmental protection mechanisms, is located.

Geneva, famous for its unique architecture and breathtaking natural landscapes, has long won the love of tourists. But, despite the high attendance of this city, its pollution level is at a record low. Local authorities are closely monitoring cleanliness in urban areas and are actively encouraging new environmental developments.

7. Vienna

The capital of Austria was recognized by the international consulting company Mercer as the city with the highest standard of living. But how could such a large metropolis with a population of more than 1.7 million people maintain favorable environmental indicators? This became possible not only thanks to the efforts of the city authorities, but also to the responsible position of the country's inhabitants themselves.

Donaupark

Vienna is famous for its parks and reserves, and its center and surroundings cannot be imagined without green spaces, which according to new information cover 51% of the city. High water quality, a developed sewage system, excellent environmental indicators, as well as efficient waste management allowed the capital of Austria to be included in the list of the cleanest cities in the world in 2017.

6. Reykjavik

Being the capital of one of the cleanest countries in the world of Iceland, Reykjavik has become one of the most environmentally friendly cities on the planet. This situation was promoted by active state measures to plant greenery on its territory, as well as to minimize the emission of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Thanks to these efforts, there is virtually no pollution in Reykjavik.

But the authorities of the capital of Iceland do not intend to stop there and plan to bring it to first place in the list of the cleanest cities on the planet by 2040. To do this, they decided to completely rebuild Reykjavik's infrastructure so that all necessary organizations and institutions are within walking distance, which will reduce the number of motorists. In addition, it is planned to encourage the use of electric vehicles and bicycles, as well as expand the landscaping of the city.

5. Helsinki

The capital of Finland is located at the equator of our top of the cleanest cities in the world in 2017. Helsinki is a fast-growing city, spread on the shores of the Gulf of Finland, and 30% of the metropolitan area is the sea surface. Helsinki is famous for its high-quality drinking water that flows into houses from the largest mountain tunnel. It is believed that this water is much cleaner than bottled water.

It is noteworthy that in every district of Helsinki there is a park area with green spaces. To reduce the number of motorists, city officials are encouraging cyclists for whom there are numerous bike paths with a total length of more than 1 thousand km. Residents of the capital themselves are very sensitive to environmental issues and are making every effort to keep the urban area clean.

4. Honolulu

It would seem that the very location of the capital of the state of Hawaii, Honolulu on the shores of the Pacific Ocean, is designed to ensure the purity of its air. But it was the policy of the metropolitan authorities that allowed the metropolis to become one of the cleanest cities in the world. Since Honolulu has long been considered a tourist center, the improvement of public places and the maintenance of the environment has become a priority for the government.

Greening the city, the rational disposal of waste, reducing the number of industries polluting the environment, contribute to improving environmental performance in the capital. It effectively applies solar and wind energy, which allows for the generation of clean electricity. And developed waste management systems brought Honolulu the unofficial title of "city without garbage."

3. Copenhagen

The English organization The Economist Intelligence Unit conducted a study of 30 European capitals on the level of environmental performance, as a result of which Copenhagen was recognized as one of the cleanest cities in Europe. In the capital of Denmark, low levels of accumulation of household waste, economical energy consumption and minimal emission of harmful gases into the atmosphere are recorded. More than once Copenhagen was awarded the status of the greenest European city.

The favorable environmental situation in Copenhagen was also made possible by a reduction in the number of motorists and an increase in the number of cyclists. In addition, windmills are actively used here to generate electricity. A well-functioning waste management system and economical consumption of water resources have allowed the capital of Denmark to become one of the cleanest cities not only in Europe, but throughout the world.

2. Chicago

It is hard to believe that such a large financial and industrial center as Chicago with a population of more than 2.7 million people could be on the list of the cleanest cities in the world. This was made possible thanks to the innovative approaches used by the US authorities to reduce sources of environmental pollution.

Greening the city is carried out not only due to the expansion of parks, but also thanks to the green spaces on the roofs of skyscrapers with a total area of more than 186 thousand square meters. meters. A well-thought-out public transport network helps to protect the air from pollution, designed to motivate residents to stop using cars and switch to urban vehicles. Chicago certainly deserves second place on our list. But which city has become the cleanest in the world? The answer is very close!

1. Hamburg

A group of respected ecologists, according to the results of their rigorous research, named the cleanest city in the world. He became the famous German metropolis of Hamburg. The city managed to achieve a high level of environmental performance thanks to a well-developed public transport network, which enables its residents to stop using private cars. And due to this, the authorities managed to significantly reduce the emission of harmful gases into the atmosphere.Find out RATES or book any accommodation using this form

In order to develop environmental protection programs, the government annually allocates 25 million euros, some of which is spent on the development of energy saving projects. Hamburg as the cleanest city in the world does not intend to lose its position. By 2050, the authorities of the metropolis plan to reduce carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere by a record 80%. And in order to achieve such indicators, the government decided to improve the urban infrastructure and to further promote cycling and electric cars.

How they stand in Hamburg and what is special about its improvement - watch the video.