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European Green Capital

2018

Good Practice Report

© European Union, 2016

The information and views set out in this report are those of the authors (PRACSIS sprl) and do not necessarily

reflect the official opinion of the European Union.

Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged.

The images included in this publication have been provided by the relevant cities, who retain all copyright.

European Green Capital 2018 - Good Practice Report

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Table of Contents1. INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

1.1 EUROPEAN GREEN CAPITAL AWARD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

1.2 THE INDICATOR AREAS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

1.3 APPLICANT CITIES fOR 2018 AWARD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

1.4 THE AIM Of THIS REPORT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

1.5 STRUCTURE AND APPROACH Of THIS REPORT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

2. ENVIRONMENTAL GOOD PRACTICES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

INDICATOR 1: CLIMATE CHANGE, MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION

1. GHENT: GENT EN GARDE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

2. ‘s-HERTOGENBOSCH: HoWaBo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

3. TALLINN: USE Of E-SERVICES AND E-SOLUTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

INDICATOR 2: LOCAL TRANSPORT

1. UMEÅ: GREEN PARKING PAYOff. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

2. TALLINN: fREE PUBLIC TRANSPORT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

3. NIJMEGEN: CYCLING POLICY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

INDICATOR 3: GREEN URBAN AREAS INCORPORATING SUSTAINABLE LAND USE

1. ARAD: ARADUL CURAT AWARD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

2. NIJMEGEN: GROEN VERBINDT CAMPAIGN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

3. GHENT: TEMPORARY USE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

4 European Green Capital 2018 - Good Practice Report

INDICATOR 4: NATURE AND BIODIVERSITY

1. TALLINN: MAPPING fOR SPECIES AND HABITATS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

2. WARSAW: DEVELOPMENT Of NEW GREEN AND BLUE SPACES fOR BIODIVERSITY . . . .30

3. GHENT: URBAN LANDSCAPES WITH WATER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

4. ‘s-HERTOGENBOSCH: SPECIES REINTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

INDICATOR 5: AMBIANT AIR QUALITY

1. NIJMEGEN: KRONENBURGER fORUM fOR AIR QUALITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33

2. TALLINN: fREE PUBLIC TRANSPORT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

INDICATOR 6: QUALITY OF THE ACOUSTIC ENVIRONMENT

1. UMEÅ: ULTRA-fAST RECHARGEABLE ELECTRIC BUSES TO REDUCE NOISE LEVELS . . . . .37

2. UMEÅ: HOLISTIC/QUALITATIVE APPROACH TO THE ACOUSTIC ENVIRONMENT . . . . . . . .38

3. QUIET AREAS

a. UMEÅ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39

b. ‘s-HERTOGENBOSCH. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40

c. TALLINN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41

4. NOISE-OPTIMISED ASPHALT

a. ‘s-HERTOGENBOSCH. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42

b. NIJMEGEN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43

5. NOISE MONITORING, REPORTING AND COMMUNICATION

a. ‘s-HERTOGENBOSCH. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44

b. TALLINN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45

c. WARSAW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46

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INDICATOR 7: WASTE MANAGEMENT

1. NIJMEGEN: ‘GO GREEN fESTIVAL’, A COMMUNICATION STRATEGY ON WASTE. . . . . . . .48

2. TALLINN: WASTE MANAGEMENT CENTRE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49

3. ‘s-HERTOGENBOSCH: INTEGRATED TREATMENT Of BIOGAS AND RENEWABLE HEAT . . . .50

INDICATOR 8: WATER MANAGEMENT

1. UMEÅ: LOWERING WATER CONSUMPTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52

2. TALLINN: PROMOTION Of TAP WATER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53

INDICATOR 9: WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT

1. UMEÅ: IMPROVING THE QUALITY Of INCOMING WASTEWATER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55

2. GHENT: WATER MANAGEMENT IN THE OLD DOCKS PROJECT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56

INDICATOR 10: ECO-INNOVATION AND SUSTAINABLE EMPLOYMENT

1. ARAD: ENTREPRENEURS’ GREEN CLUB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58

2. GHENT: BIO-ECONOMY VALLEY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59

3. ‘s-HERTOGENBOSCH: SPARK CAMPUS fOR ECO-INNOVATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60

INDICATOR 11: ENERGY PERFORMANCE

1. GHENT: ENERGY COACHING IN COMPANIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62

2. ‘s-HERTOGENBOSCH: RENOVATION TO ZERO ENERGY HOMES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63

3. TALLINN: fIX THE fACADE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64

INDICATOR 12: INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

1. NIJMEGEN: EVALUATION Of ENVIRONNEMENTAL ACTIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66

2. UMEÅ: SCHOOLS fOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67

APPENDIX – EXPERT PANEL PROFILES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72


1. Introduction

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The European Union is one of the most ur-banised areas in the world. As the conduit of economic and cultural change, Europe’s cities are essential to the energy transition and the shift to more sustainable environmental prac-tices. Cities today are becoming increasingly interconnected, but they are also increasingly in competition with each other. There has been growing demand at the EU, national and local level, for an Urban Agenda to help strengthen the urban dimension of EU policies.

The EU Urban Agenda, also known as the Pact of Amsterdam, was adopted by the Coun-cil on 30 May 2016. It aims at promoting coop-eration between Member States, the European Commission and cities in order to stimulate growth, liveability and innovation in the cities of Europe.

It is a new working method to ensure maximum utilisation of the growth potential of cities and successfully tackle the social challenges. Part of this new approach includes the develop-ment of a range of European partnerships. The first partnerships, which were launched on 30 June, deal with:

• air quality,

• housing,

• integration of migrants and refugees, and

• urban poverty.

The future of Europe depends on increased en-ergy efficiency, a low-carbon economy and the cultivation of our natural resources. These are the key objectives set out in 2013 by the 7th Environmental Action Programme (EAP), the leading guide for Europe’s environmental policy until 2020.

The 7th EAP seeks to increase Europe’s energy independence, mitigate environmental risks and protect the health and wellbeing of EU citi-zens. To this end, it sets out a strategic agenda with milestones to be achieved through tar-geted legislation, education, investment, and the full integration of environmental consider-ations into all policies.

Today more than two thirds of Europeans live in urban areas. Most cities face a common set of core environmental problems such as poor air quality, high noise levels, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, water scarcity, contaminated sites, brownfields and challenges in resource efficiency.

EU cities also play a crucial role as engines of change, and often pioneer innovative solutions to environmental challenges. They have huge potential for energy savings, for mobilising change towards a carbon-neutral economy and for driving the economy. They are places of connectivity, creativity and innovation, and service hubs for their surrounding areas. More and more European cities are putting environ-mental sustainability at the core of their urban development strategies.


Within these partnerships, the European Commission, Member States and European cities will work together to ensure that the urban dimension is strengthened in EU poli-cies through: 1. Improving the development, implementation and evaluation of EU legisla-tion; 2. Ensuring better access to and utilisa-tion of European funds; 3. Improving the EU urban knowledge base and stimulating the sharing of best practices and cooperation between cities.

1.1 European Green Capital Award

On 15 May 2006, the vision of 15 European cities was drawn up in a joint Memorandum of Understanding. Representatives from Tallinn, Helsinki, Riga, Vilnius, Berlin, Warsaw, Madrid, Ljubljana, Prague, Vienna, Kiel, Kotka, Dartford, Tartu and Glasgow agreed on the importance of promoting sustainable urban planning in Europe. They envisaged an award to reward cities that pioneered environmen-tally friendly urban living. Their initiative led to the launch of the European Green Capi-tal Award by the European Commission in 2008.

Making a city greener has its own rewards, but becoming the European Green Capital is a great way for cities to boost local sup-port and promote their sustainable solutions to tourists and investors. The award enables

cities to inspire each other and share examples of good practices. The winning cities so far are Stockholm (2010), Hamburg (2011), Vitoria-Gasteiz (2012), Nantes (2013), Copenhagen (2014), Bristol (2015), Ljubljana (2016) Essen (2017) and Nijmegen (2018).

Creating a sustainable, environmentally friendly city takes innovative planning, commitment and hard work from local governments. Each of these winners has shown commitment, deter-mination and creativity and has worked hard to make their city a healthy, robust and prosperous place to live.

The objectives of the European Green Capital Award are to:

a) Reward cities that have a consistent record of achieving high environmental standards;

b) Encourage cities to commit to ongoing and ambitious goals for further environ-mental improvement and sustainable development;

c) Provide a role model to inspire other cities and promote best practice and experi-ences in all other European cities.

On a local level, the award scheme aims at spreading the message that Europeans have a right to live in healthy urban areas. Cities should therefore strive to improve the quality of life of their citizens and reduce their impact on the

Introduction

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9. Wastewater Management

10. Eco-innovation and Sustainable Employment

11. Energy Performance

12. Integrated Environmental Management

1.3 Applicant cities for 2018 Award

A total of seven cities applied for the 2018 Award. Details of the 2018 applicants are in-cluded in the table and map overleaf.

Of the seven cities to be evaluated, six are Member States of the European Union and six are signatories of the Covenant of Mayors. The smallest city by population is Umeå in Swe-den with a population of 120 000, and, with a population of 1 735 442, Warsaw in Poland is the largest.

global environment. This message is captured by the Award’s slogan ‘Green cities – fit for life’.

1.2 The indicator areas

The selection of the European Green Capital 2018 is based on the following 12 environ-mental indicator areas:

1. Climate Change: Mitigation and Adaptation

2. Local Transport

3. Green Urban Areas; Incorporating Sus-tainable Land Use

4. Nature and Biodiversity

5. Ambient Air Quality

6. Quality of the Acoustic Environment

7. Waste Production and Management

8. Water Management

• Indicator • Unit • Year

• Population • 179 202 • Inhabitants • 2014

• Area • 252.85 • km2 • 2015

• Population Density • 694 • Inh./km2 • 2013

• GDP • 7 185 • €/Capita • 2014

Arad, Romania




• Area • 157.96 • km2 • 2015

• Population Density • 1 597 • Inh./km2 • 2013

• GDP • 41 223 • €/Capita • 2014



• Area • 118.07 • km2 • 2015

• Population Density • 1279 • Inh./km2 • 2013

• GDP • 38 862 • €/Capita • 2014



• Area • 57 • km2 • 2015


• GDP • 28 100 • €/Capita • 2014

Ghent, Belgium

‘s-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands

Nijmegen, the Netherlands

Introduction

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• Area • 159.31 • km2 • 2015


• GDP • 22 832.9 • €/Capita • 2014



• Area • 51 (excluding water)

• km2 • 2015


• GDP • 40 100 • €/Capita • 2014


• Population • 1 735 442 • Inhabitants • 2014

• Area • 517 • km2 • 2015


• GDP • 29 153 • €/Capita • 2014

Tallinn, Estonia

Umeå, Sweden

Warsaw, Poland


Figure 1-1 Map of 2018 Applicant Cities

Introduction

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1.4 The aim of this report

This report aims at showcasing the Environ-mental Good Practice of applicant cities, and benchmarking their environmental perfor-mances in order to provide quantitative data for sharing best practice examples in Europe and beyond.

It is anticipated that this report will be read not only in cities that are current, previous, and potential applicants for the Award, but throughout Europe. This will help to dissemi-nate information, inspire cities to action, show-case tried and tested environmental practices, and promote new technologies for support-ing urban resource efficiency. Ultimately, by helping to mobilise urban sustainability and fuel a green economy, the initiative supports economic prosperity and job creation in accor-dance with the 7th EAP priorities and the EU 2020 Strategy.

1.5 Structure and approach of this report

As part of their role, the members of the Expert Panel (details in Appendix A) were asked to identify two examples of environmental good practice for their primary indicator area. These examples were to include new and innovative initiatives that may be transferable to other European cities. The report presents the data provided by cities in their 2018 EGCA applica-

tion forms and is supported, where necessary, by additional information.

The European Green Capital Secretariat com-piled and edited this information, which is now presented in Section 2 in 12 individual chap-ters, one per environmental indicator area.

14 European Green Capital 2018 - Environmental Good Practices

2. Environmental Good Practices

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states that global temperature increase should ideally be limited to 1.5 °C.

Preventing dangerous climate change is a stra-tegic priority for the EU. It is only through local- and regional-level strategies that the impacts of climate change can be mitigated. As part of the Europe 2020 growth strategy, the EU has committed to cutting its emissions to 20 % below 1990 levels. EU initiatives developed to achieve this target and reduce GHG emissions include: an Emissions Trading System; legisla-tion to increase renewable energy use to 20 % by 2020; setting a target to increase Europe’s energy efficiency by 20 % by 2020; setting binding targets to reduce CO2 emissions from new cars and vans, and; supporting the devel-opment of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies to trap and store the CO2 emitted by power stations and other major industrial installations.

The European Climate Change Programme (ECCP) has been in place since 2000 to identify and develop an EU strategy for implementing the Kyoto Protocol.

On 23 October 2014 a domestic 2030 GHG reduction target of at least 40 % compared to 1990 was agreed at EU level.

Local stakeholders, citizens and civil society must share the EU commitment to reducing emissions. Local and regional governments need to lead action and set a good example. Many of the necessary actions on energy de-

INDICATOR 1: CLIMATE CHANGE, MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION

INTRODUCTION TO THE THEME

Climate change is a reality. Recent findings from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reveal an urgent need for an international effort to slow climate change and mitigate its effects.

In 2014, the Panel completed its fifth Assess-ment Report (AR5) – the most comprehensive assessment of climate change so far, involv-ing research from over 830 scientists across more than 80 countries. The report reveals without question that human behaviour is creating lasting and catastrophic changes to our climate system, and that immediate ac-tion is needed to protect buildings, infrastruc-ture, businesses, ecosystems and, ultimately, mankind. The more we disrupt our climate, the more we risk severe, pervasive and irreversible impacts. If we act now, however, we can curb climate change and build a more prosperous, sustainable future.

At the Paris Climate Change Conference (COP21) in December 2015, 195 countries ad-opted the first universal, legally binding global climate deal ever. Due to be enforced in 2020, the agreement sets out a global action plan to avoid dangerous climate change by limit-ing global warming to below 2 °C, although it


mand and renewable energy sources rely on the competence of local governments.

Due the products and services they use, towns and cities account directly and indirectly for more than half of human-cause greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

All of the cities applying for the European Green Capital Awards (EGCA) are working hard to reduce their CO2 emissions for 2020

and beyond. All cities have committed to reduce their CO2 emissions by at least 20 % from their various baseline years.

Some of the most commendable efforts are: Nijmegen’s goal for climate neutrality by 2045; ’s-Hertogenbosch’s goal for climate neutrality by 2050, and Umeå’s target of a 50 % reduction from 1990 levels by 2025.

Environmental Good Practices

1. GHENT: GENT EN GARDE

SummaryWith Gent En Garde the city of Ghent aims at achieving climate neutrality by 2050. The goals of Gent En Garde are directly concerned with climate and the environment. The City has launched communication campaigns and strategic actions on the ‘food strategy’. The initiative relates precisely to: a shorter chain; more sustainable production and consumption; the reduction of food waste, and; the optimal reuse of food waste as raw material.

ContextThe city of Ghent aims at being climate neutral by 2050.

OutcomeNumerous initiatives and support measures were launched around the ‘food’ and ‘waste’ themes. Any measure is based on the needs of the stakeholders and the city is trying to take new steps by building a sustainable food system. Sometimes the city takes the lead role it-self, sometimes it tries to strengthen and support the existing momentum. A few examples:

GOOD PRACTICES > CLIMATE CHANGE, MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION

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• Launch of Moestdazo? first Aid for Ghent Cultivation: a platform where all Ghent citizens can ask questions about growing vegetables, herbs and fruit.

• Short-chain competition: new initiatives with local producers to enhance the short chain in Ghent, can compete for a financial prize.

• Nothing is Lost festival: on 20 September 2014 between 7 and 8 000 visitors were made aware of food waste. There was a leftover banquet with 5 000 free, vegetar-ian meals, an inspirational market with some 40 partner organisations, debates and workshops.

• Restorestje: in early 2015 the ‘resto leftover’ was launched after a long preparatory process. This local variant on the ‘doggy bag’ is used to convince citizens to take their restaurant leftovers home. There are 60 participating restaurants in Ghent; nearly 10 000 leftovers were distributed and the initiative has been followed in many other cities.

• Support to school gardens and neighbourhood vegetable gardens: in Ghent neigh-bourhood groups and schools that start a communal vegetable garden have built up a strong momentum. The City provides experts free of charge, who help to plan and design the vegetable garden, support the installation and approach, and make sure that local enthusiasm reaps rewards.

• Thursday Veggie Day: with vegetarian catering on Thursday for school workshops, chefs, and ordinary citizens, communication campaigns and so on, we see the num-ber of participating Ghent residents increase year after year.

Linkforum page on the project: https://gentengarde.stad.gent/


2. ‘s-HERTOGENBOSCH: HoWaBo

Summary HoWaBo is an extensive and complex project to protect the city of ‘s-Hertogenbosch from flooding. An area of 750 hectares between Vlijmen, Vught and ‘s-Hertogenbosch has been allocated for water storage. This area will be used when the water levels of the rivers Meuse, Dommel and Aa rise to a critical level, and the adjacent water storage area Bossche Broek has already filled. This is expected to happen approximately once every 150 years. HoWaBo can store 4.5 million m3.

ContextThe city of Den Bosch has a consistent record of being affected by notable floods. The city decided to take structural actions to improve the situation.

OutcomeThe water storage area is delimited by dykes and lockable constructions around a Natura 2000 area. The construction of this area was completed at the end of 2015. The inlet near the city of ‘s-Hertogenbosch was completed in 2012.

The water storage area partially overlaps with the ‘Vlijmens Ven, Moerputten and Bossche Broek’ network of Natura 2000 sites. In order to preserve and further develop existing na-ture values in this area, the phosphate-enriched top soil of former agricultural land will be excavated from about 200 hectares. On poor soils the rare fen-meadow flora will be regenerated in order to restore and extend the habitat of a butterfly species that is highly threatened in Europe; the large blue. About 25% of excavated soil will be used for dykes in the water storage area. This will save costs and limit disruption to the environment.

The HoWaBo project is being realised in cooperation with the Region. Two water boards are also involved. The Aa and Maas Water Board is responsible for implementing the proj-ect. Other stakeholders are the province of Noord-Brabant, nature conservation groups like Natuurmonumenten, Staatsbosbeheer and Vlinderstichting, the agricultural organisation ZLTO, and the municipalities of ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Heusden and Vught. ‘s-Hertogenbosch participates by providing land, expertise and the timely provision of permits.

LinksDocuments linked to the HoWaBo project:http://static.waterschapshuis.hosting.onehippo.com/rapport-howabo-deel-1.pdfhttp://static.waterschapshuis.hosting.onehippo.com/rapport-howabo-deel-2.pdf

Environmental Good Practices > CLIMATE CHANGE, MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION

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3. TALLINN: USE OF E-SERVICES AND E-SOLUTIONS

SummaryTallinn City Government has been operating a paper-free document management system since 2001. The documents circulating in the city’s agencies and the city’s legal acts are processed only via the electronic document management system. Correspondence between municipal agencies, and communication with state agencies, companies, local authorities and other organisations outside the city, is also predominantly digital.

Context This project will allow the city to organise more efficiently, reduce environmental impact, and facilitate environmentally friendly initiatives.

OutcomeTallinn offers 567 public services in total, many of which can be applied for, and used in a convenient, paper-free way using the city’s website www.tallinn.ee. There is also a map of services online with all of the locations of service providers and photos of the sites, and it is possible to determine the location of the service provider closest to the client on the online map. This makes it possible to offer services to citizens via the internet and people do not have to visit the City Government to obtain them. The ID card (or Mobile ID) used in Estonia allows citizens to sign the necessary documents digitally, e.g. to request permits, support, services, etc., 38 % of the public services provided by Tallinn are fully electronic (the service is accessible via registers or forms that can be filled in electronically, or the service can be applied for by e-mail). Application forms for, and information about, the remaining services can be found in electronic channels. The city’s information and services are also accessible on mobile phones.

The public services database is integrated with the financial information system, the self-service process and the online map.

One of the most popular e-solutions is the real-time information system of public transport, which allows passengers to better plan their movements, as the next vehicle’s arrival at the stop is predicted according to traffic conditions. The relevant information is available online at http://soiduplaan.tallinn.ee/ as a mobile-friendly solution and is also available as a mobile application.

LinksSee links in the text above.


INDICATOR 2: LOCAL TRANSPORT


Cities all over Europe face similar growing problems linked to mobility, which include congestion, road safety, security, air and noise pollution, and climate change due to CO2 emis-sions. The ability to get from one place to an-other is a requirement of all people across the European Union. It is important both for their quality of life and to providing healthy local and national economies. The key consider-ations that cities and towns now face in the development of sustainable urban transport systems and infrastructure can include:

• Reducing traffic congestion in the urban environment

As traffic increases in urban areas this leads to congestion, which can have negative eco-nomic, social and environmental impacts and degrades the built environment. Many Euro-pean towns and cities suffer from chronic traf-fic congestion, which is estimated to cost EUR 80 billion annually.5 Alternatives to private car use, such as collective transport, walking and cycling need to be made more attractive and safe for all. Citizens should be able to switch between modes of transport easily.

• Developing cleaner and greener towns and cities

The main environmental issues in towns and cities stem from the domination of oil as a transport fuel, which generates CO2, and air pollutant emissions. The European Environment

Agency (EEA) estimates that urban transport is responsible for up to 25 % of all transport CO2

emissions.6 These have a negative impact on citizens’ health. Developing and implementing new and clean technologies (energy efficiency, alternative fuels) and redefining green zones (developing a pedestrian zone within towns and cities, restricting access zones) can help in the evolution of towns and cities.

• Smarter urban transport

Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS), urban traffic management and control applications present a potential added value for the effi-cient management of urban mobility in cities and towns. These measures can include smart charging systems, better traveller information, the standardisation of interfaces, and the in-teroperability of ITS applications in towns and cities as part of the solution.

• Accessible urban transport

As society develops and evolves citizens expect more intelligent and affordable mobility solu-tions. Citizens now expect seamless and acces-sible collective transport and safe infrastruc-ture for walking, cycling and private vehicle use. They expect more flexible transport solutions for both freight and passenger mobility.

• Safe and secure urban transport

About two thirds of road accidents and one third of road fatalities occur in urban areas, with the most vulnerable road users being pedestrians and cyclists. In order to improve this situation, possible solutions must cover behavioural, vehicle and infrastructure aspects as well as a strict enforcement of traffic rules.

5 Together towards competitive and resource-efficient urban mobility, COMMUNICATION fROM THE COMMISSION TO THE

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE Of THE REGIONS

6 A closer look at urban transport – TERM 2013: transport indicators tracking progress towards environmental targets in Europe, (EEA, 2013).


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Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMP) look to foster balanced development and the better integration of different urban mobility modes. Sustainable urban mobility is primarily about people, with a significant emphasis on citizen and stakeholder engagement, as well as fos-tering changes in mobility behaviour.

The Reference framework for European Sus-tainable Cities (RfSC) offers guidance to cit-ies in order to help them to encourage their citizens to change their travel behaviour e.g. trying alternatives to the car such as cycling, walking and public transport.


1. UMEÅ: GREEN PARKING PAYOFF

SummaryIn the Green Parking Payoff project, property developers provide sustainable mobility ser-vices in exchange for lower parking requirements. Examples of services are: provision of bicycle facilities such as service stations and dressing rooms; facilitation for carpooling, and; allocation of resources to a mobility management fund.

ContextUmeå is one of Sweden’s fastest growing cities. This creates several challenges linked to urban development e.g. air quality deterioration and urban sprawl.

OutcomeBased on an agreement between the City, the city parking company and property develop-ers, the number of employee parking places on commercial properties can be reduced. forecasts show that the full potential of the project is a 41 % shift from car to more sus-tainable transport modes at real estate level. The project aims at creating a clear win-win situation for Umeå, the real estate owner and the environment. So far the project has been a success and has been extended to incorporate more property developers including Umeå Municipality.

Umeå Municipality wants to set a good example by participating in the Green Parking Payoff. A rebuilt City Hall will result in 40 % fewer parking places than would otherwise have been requested. A new bicycle parking establishment with a service station will be built and employees are encouraged to walk, cycle, take public transport or carshare.

As a further development of the Green Parking Payoff, Umeå is examining the possibility of extending the project to include residential parking as well. This poses a greater challenge than workplace parking, but at the same time offers a greater impact on traffic and land use in the city.

LinkThe following website explains the initiative: http://www.eltis.org/discover/case-studies/umeas-green-parking-purchase-model-sweden

GOOD PRACTICES > LOCAL TRANSPORT

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2. TALLINN: FREE PUBLIC TRANSPORT

SummaryTallinn City Council decided to implement free public transport in Tallinn in order to increase social inclusion, boost the local economy and spare the environment. Three large groups of residents have had the right to free public transport in Tallinn since January 2013.

Context Tallinn has various spatial, development and environmental strategies, along with a trans-port plan that sets out the overall goal for sustainable mobility.

OutcomeThe number of passengers increased by 6 % in 2013, in comparison to 2012, after the introduction of free public transport. The increase in the number of residents and the in-come tax received in the city budget, which occurred mainly as a result of the introduction of free public transport, has not only allowed the city to cover the lost ticket revenue, but also brought in significant additional funds that can be used to improve the quality of the service. Tallinn started compensating the train fares of its citizens within the borders of the city in October 2013. The number of train rides in the city increased 2.3 times in 2014, in comparison to 2012.

Important investments have also been made in the public transport system within the city centre.

Tallinn seeks to make public transport more convenient. In addition to the new buses, trol-leybuses and trams used every year, the speed of connections between the suburbs and the city centre is also important to residents. This is why Tallinn has allocated some lanes that are situated in, or head towards, the city centre, for public transport vehicles: 28.6 km of public transport lanes have been marked on former car lanes.

Equipment for a public transport priority system has been installed at 31 intersections in Tallinn, which makes it possible to lengthen the duration of the green light or shorten that of the red light. High connection speed makes public transport a reliable and punctual way to get around the city. These measures have made public transport a much more convenient option.

LinkThe official city website with useful information on the free public transport in the city is available at: http://www.tallinn.ee/eng/freepublictransport/


3. NIJMEGEN: CYCLING POLICY

SummaryIn the last few years many kilometres of high-grade cycle superhighways were added with the Region’s support. Due to powerful, result-oriented steps, large parts of the city now have pleasant, exclusive traffic cycle superhighways where cyclists take priority.

Context Mobility is a pillar in the city’s sustainability agenda and cycling has been part of that agenda for a long time now. future plans are equally ambitious.

OutcomeThe cycle paths go in two directions through limited traffic areas, and enjoy priority over car traffic. The creation of quality cycle superhighways has reduced of traffic jams and encour-aged a shift from cars to bikes. The share of bikes in the modal split is growing, especially for short distances. Comfortable bike routes are a must for e-bikes. Cycle superhighways do not end at the city’s boundaries, but connect to surrounding villages. for instance, the RijnWaalpad, an 18 km connection between Arnhem and Nijmegen, was recently laid. A special lighting fixture gets drivers thinking: isn’t cycling a better option?

Cycling tunnels and cycling bridges are costly, but valuable for cyclists. Cyclists can then cross a traffic link safely and without delay. Nijmegen has realised six cycling tunnels and a cycling bridge in the past five years. An icon for the city is the Snelbinder cycling bridge across the river Waal, a spatial structure of 2 300-metres length, that enables people to cycle over the city.

The role of the bike in the municipal transport system is becoming valuable. There are major advances with regard to the quality of bicycle parking, with long-term effects. The best example is the bicycle Park & Ride near Nijmegen station. This location has 4 000 places, the upper level of the expensive, supervised, 24 hour car park is free. Later this year, an automated counting system will be introduced to indicate available spaces to parkers.

Environmental Good Practices > LOCAL TRANSPORT

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INDICATOR 3: GREEN URBAN AREAS INCORPO-RATING SUSTAINABLE LAND USE


As urban areas grow and population densities rise, there is a risk that municipalities may neglect the need for green areas, and sacri-fice these spaces for industrial, commercial or housing growth. Green spaces, quiet streets and recreational parks are vital to the well-being of citizens and it is imperative that these areas are maintained and enhanced within the urban environment.

Urban sprawl often happens within cities, and a balance is required between the needs of urban, rural and residential areas; sustainable land use policies and practices need to be in place to help find this balance. The Territorial Agenda of the European Union was developed and adopted informally by EU ministers in 2007 to promote spatial development plans to address sprawl and promote stronger part-nerships between urban and rural areas. The EU’s Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) programme enables the moni-toring of land use in Europe through mapping at continental scale (‘CORINE land cover’) and local hot spot scale (‘Urban Atlas’).

The EU utilises funding programmes to foster green space initiatives such as the ‘Green and Blue Space Adaptation for Urban Areas and

Eco Towns (GRaBS) project, which is supported by Cohesion Policy funds and promotes ur-ban planning efforts aimed at preserving and adapting open spaces to improve quality of life, while also combating climate change.

Generally all applicant cities for the 2018 EGCA are cities with an increasing population densities. There is a considerable range of size of urban areas and consequently very varying population density within them. The composi-tion and make-up of cities and towns can vary greatly and are influenced significantly by loca-tion and history.


1. ARAD: ARADUL CURAT AWARD

SummaryThe Municipality supports awareness raising and information dissemination amongst the population regarding the importance of taking constant care of open spaces. Since 2011, the Municipality has been organising an annual competition called Aradul Curat (Keep Arad Tidy), open to owners’ associations. The competition is run with a view to keeping the City Hall actively involved in the life of the community, and financially supporting the owners’ associations that work to keep their buildings and open spaces tidy and clean, to help Arad to become a tidier and greener city.

Context A measure for increasing public engagement and improving the direct surroundings of apartment buildings.

OutcomeThe rules of this competition are approved by the Local Council of the Municipality of Arad, and they establish the assessment criteria, the composition of the jury and the form of reward. The jury will visit the condominiums enrolled in the competition in order to assess them in terms of the external appearance of the building and of the open space. The jury will primarily check the condition of the lawn, the condition of the soil (whether it is sown, with what it is sown), the condition of the hedges, and the condition of the trees. In addition, points are awarded for the appearance of the parking lots and garages, and also for the look and tidiness of the entrance to the building.

The best managers are rewarded at a gala during the Zilele Aradului (Arad Days) festival, an event which takes place every August. In addition to the diplomas, the City Hall will hand out rewards of tree- and flower-planting material, urban furniture and gardening tools.

furthermore, this competition will be used to select the areas to be subjected to urban res-toration works (landscaping, urban public works), to protect the environment and to improve the quality of life of the local population.

GOOD PRACTICES > GREEN URBAN AREAS INCORPORATING SUSTAINABLE LAND USE

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2. NIJMEGEN: GROEN VERBINDT CAMPAIGN

Summary Nijmegen wants to make a greater connection between the green areas – the parks and the green urban areas – of Nijmegen i.e. Groen Verbindt (Green Connections). The initiative not only connects plants and the animals that live off them, but also unites people through the team work needed to plan and implement the connection. Groen Verbindt essentially means ‘green’ for, of, and by, the city.

Context The high (green) ambitions Nijmegen presents both in the City Vision 2020 and the Sustain-ability Agenda are very promising for further development in the city.

OutcomeThere is still plenty of potential for improvement in the city of Nijmegen, but over the past few years, a number of resident-focused plans have been realised, such as De Groene Tol vegetable gardens or the Van Heutszstraat personal plant and flower management.

The Groen Verbindt campaign aims at building local pride in animal and plant diversity; in the gardens, neighbourhoods, and throughout the city of Nijmegen, with a collaborative approach involving the City Council, residents and independent organisations.

The Association for the Dutch Cultural Landscape is responsible for the Urban Badgers project. Thanks to the many fences and tunnels along roads around Nijmegen, the number of badgers around Nijmegen has increased significantly. Badgers are also foraging and settling in several residential areas. In consultation with locals and nature organisations the City wants to adapt the layout and the management of land, and implement measures to limit or prevent road kill (2015).

LinkMore information is available at: http://www2.nijmegen.nl/wonen/milieuenafval/groen/groen_verbindt


3. GHENT: TEMPORARY USE

SummaryThe city of Ghent wants to encourage organisers to temporarily use stragegic or disused sites in an economic, socio-cultural and participatory fashion.

Context The Ghent Spatial Structure Plan (Ruimtelijk Structuurplan Gent (RSG) – 2003) is often men-tioned as the leading plan that sets the milestones for improving spatial management in Ghent.

OutcomeGhent has developed a promising approach that may be used effectively in other cities as well.

The City has noticed a gap between the planning and the implementation of strategic proj-ects. Many of the planning tracks for targets and key projects are now completed, yet execution on site is a lot less successful. This means that many spaces are wasted and fall into disrepair in the time between planning and implementation.

In order to mediate the effects of this gap, the City of Ghent grants subsidies for projects with temporary occupancy of unused spaces. These projects can last a few months or up to several years according to the situation. By encouraging organisers to make temporary use of these strategic sites for economic, socio-cultural and community purposes, the city can facilitate experimental initiatives, avoid neglecting the properties, and prepare the sites for their final and definitive urbanisation. This temporary occupancy can even add value for future development. Examples include: Oude Dokken (DOK), the Gasmetersite (the Site), the Muide-Meulestede district, and KERK in Gentbrugge.

LinkVisit the DOK site at: http://www.oudedokken.be/

Environmental Good Practices > GREEN URBAN AREAS INCORPORATING SUSTAINABLE LAND USE

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INDICATOR 4: NATURE AND BIODIVERSITY


Maintaining nature and biodiversity in urban settings depends on the creation and conser-vation of green urban areas. The social benefits of nature and biodiversity are immeasurable: green spaces provide citizens with aesthetic pleasure, artistic inspiration, recreation, and enormous health benefits. Though nature is more commonly associated with rural areas, cities can also be sites of rich biological diver-sity. City administrations are required to pro-tect biodiversity and mitigate the negative ef-fect that urban sprawl can have on it, through effective policies and initiatives.

The EU has committed to protecting biodiver-sity through different policy actions. In 1993 the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was established with a view to ensuring the conservation and sustainable use of the di-versity of species, habitats and ecosystems on the planet. The EU has adopted a series of measures to implement this Protocol, such as the 2010 pledge to halt the loss of biodiversity and the degradation of ecosystem services in the EU by 2020, and restore them in so far as is feasible. In 2010, the CBD parties agreed on 20 key biodiversity goals, which are known as the Aichi Biodiversity Targets. Cities play a central part in achieving these goals.

Location and climate also play a significant role on the natural biodiversity of an area. The cli-matic conditions vary across the applicant cities for the 2018 EGCA, with maritime temperate climates in Nijmegen, Ghent, ‘s-Hertogenbosch and Warsaw, whilst Arad and Tallinn have humid continental climates (the former with warm, the latter with cool, summers). Umeå is different, with a continental subarctic (boreal) climate. The city which receives the most pre-cipitation annually is ‘s-Hertogenbosch, with 786 mm per annum, whilst Warsaw has the lowest precipitation, at 515 mm per annum.

The following examples show what cities are doing in terms of nature and biodiversity in the urban environment.


GOOD PRACTICES > NATURE AND BIODIVERSITY

1. TALLINN, MAPPING FOR SPECIES AND HABITATS

Tallinn has a particularly strong planning process for biodiversity, starting with good map-ping based on survey work for species and habitats, and backed by bio-data inventories and research. The city has a good organisational structure, overseen by overall strategic planning (Tallinn Environmental Strategy to 2030 and the Tallinn Environmental Protection Plan 2013 – 18) down to local action planning, with shared objectives throughout.

A set of policies, linked through these different scales of planning, leads to a good variety of implementation measures and projects. A biodiversity action plan has been devised, as well as management plans for sites such as the Pääsküla Bog Conservation Area, and all other protected areas.

2. WARSAW: DEVELOPMENT OF NEW GREEN AND BLUE SPAC-ES FOR BIODIVERSITY

Warsaw has undertaken a major improvement of the Middle Vistula Valley through a proj-ect that is creating new breeding colonies of wading birds along a significant stretch of unregulated (‘wild’) river. The project is also restoring habitats that are typically found along braided rivers and are used by wading birds. The project – which is funded by Life+ – also aims at facilitating citizen involvement in these projects by raising public awareness and developing cooperation between public institutions.

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3. GHENT: URBAN LANDSCAPES WITH WATER

Ghent is developing urban landscapes with water in order to support biodiversity across the city, with measures such as ensuring connective corridors for wildlife. Green banks and is-lands are creating opportunities for additional nature in the inner city and centre, in new con-struction areas and existing park areas are being renovated. Embankments along waterways are managed to connect green areas to a wider network of spaces for wildlife species.

4. ‘s-HERTOGENBOSCH: SPECIES REINTRODUCTION

‘s-Hertogenbosch is undertaking two significant reintroduction projects, for the endangered large blue butterfly and the spadefoot toad. Work in connection with the reintroduction of the butterfly to a Natura 2000 site (Moerputten) involved collaboration with other au-thorities regarding verge management and the maintenance of corridors, as well as habitat development by moving strips of grassland used by the species into wider areas in the sur-roundings. Measures have also been taken to protect the species from flooding, via a flood management plan. Substantial funding from the Life+ Programme now supports this work.

The spadefoot toad has been reintroduced in Hooge Heide, where a nature organisation has worked with volunteers to improve and enhance the habitat. A species protection plan and a comprehensive vision have been drawn up to strengthen the process.


INDICATOR 5: AMBIANT AIR QUALITY


Clean air is vital to our wellbeing, and cities play an important role in delivering programmes to maintain air quality in the urban environment. Economic activities, in particular those related to road transport, power and heat production, industry and agriculture, emit a range of air pollutants. These have direct and indirect ef-fects on human health, and an adverse effect on both ecosystems and human constructions.

In December 2013 the Commission adopted a Clean Air Policy Package consisting of a new Clean Air Programme for Europe, with new air quality objectives for the period up to 2030 and a revised National Emission Ceilings Directive with stricter regulations for the six main pol-

lutants linked to reduced life expectancy and cardiovascular and respiratory related health problems.

In many cities in Europe air quality has im-proved considerably in the past decades and this is partly due to local actions in cities (EEA, 2014). But a large percentage of the European urban population is still exposed to concentra-tions above the EU limit or target values, and substantial health improvements are expected if these limits are achieved (EEA, 2015). This is a strong incentive for cities to develop efficient abatement policies with clearly identified ob-jectives to improve air quality.


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GOOD PRACTICES > AMBIANT AIR QUALITY

1. NIJMEGEN: KRONENBURGER FORUM FOR AIR QUALITY

SummaryThe largest connected inner-city industrial estate in the Netherlands has in-depth experi-ence of how surroundings influence health. A forum was created to give advice and provide information to local authorities on the quality of living conditions. This a very good way to promote public and stakeholder engagement, and to share knowledge on environmental issues like air quality.

ContextThe city is located in an area subjected to high concentrations of CO2 due to surrounding emissions from industrial areas, traffic, ships and agriculture. Despite this Nijmegen has met the air-quality limit values introduced in 2012, and measurements reveal steadily de-creasing trends.

OutcomeThe City is part of an advisory body facilitating discussions regarding environmental quality and cooperation between all stakeholders around the industrial estate, such as neighbours, business associations and environmental organisations. for example, members assess the best places and methods to carry out measurements. Residents have an independent envi-ronmental expert at their disposal, paid for by the municipality. When measurement results are satisfactory, residents and local authorities discuss how standards can be raised, for example additional abatement measures.

Linkhttp://www.westenweurt.nl/achtergrond/9


2. TALLINN: FREE PUBLIC TRANSPORT

SummaryTallinn City Council decided to implement free public transport in Tallinn in order to increase social inclusion, boost the local economy and spare the environment. Three large groups of residents have had the right to free public transport in Tallinn since January 2013.

ContextTallinn has various spatial, development and environmental strategies, along with a trans-port plan that sets out the overall goal for sustainable mobility.

OutcomeThe number of passengers increased by 6 % in 2013, in comparison to 2012, after the introduction of free public transport. The increase in the number of residents and the in-come tax received in the city budget, which occurred mainly as a result of the introduction of free public transport, has not only allowed the city to cover the lost ticket revenue, but also brought in significant additional funds that can be used to improve the quality of the service. Tallinn started compensating the train fares of its citizens within the borders of the city in October 2013. The number of train rides in the city increased 2.3 times in 2014, in comparison to 2012.

Important investments have also been made in the public transport system within the city centre.

Tallinn seeks to make public transport more convenient. In addition to the new buses, trol-leybuses and trams used every year, the speed of connections between the suburbs and the city centre is also important to residents. This is why Tallinn has allocated some lanes that are situated in, or head towards, the city centre, for public transport vehicles: 28.6 km of public transport lanes have been marked on former car lanes.

Equipment for a public transport priority system has been installed at 31 intersections in Tallinn, which makes it possible to lengthen the duration of the green light or shorten that of the red light. High connection speed makes public transport a reliable and punctual way to get around the city. These measures have made public transport a much more convenient option.

LinkThe official city website with useful information on the free public transport in the city is available at: http://www.tallinn.ee/eng/freepublictransport/

Environmental Good Practices > AMBIANT AIR QUALITY

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INDICATOR 6: QUALITY Of THE ACOUSTIC ENVIRONMENT


Acoustic quality is an important element of the urban environment, and a challenging is-sue that city administrations have to manage. It impacts hugely on on the quality of city life. Ambient sound levels that are beyond com-fort levels are referred to as environmental noise pollution. This can be caused by many different sources, such as traffic, construction works, and industry as well as some recre-ational activities. Excess levels of noise can cause damage to hearing, increased stress levels and blood pressure, and unnatural sleeping patterns.

According to World Health Organisation (WHO) research, approximately one in five Europeans are regularly exposed to sound levels exceed-ing 55 dBA at night. According to the EEA report Noise in Europe 2014, more than 125 million Europeans could be exposed to levels of road traffic noise above legal guidelines, yielding a range of health problems. Traffic noise annoys almost 20 million Europeans, and disturbs the sleep of an estimated eight million. The EEA estimates that environmental noise is also linked to approximately 43 000 hospital admissions, 900 000 cases of hyper-tension and up to 10 000 premature deaths per year.

Road traffic is the main source of noise in Europe, the report says, followed by railways, airports and industry. Generally, in cities of more than 250 000 people, a larger share of the population is exposed to levels above the legal guidelines.

The report also says that noise considerations should be incorporated into planning and build-ing new infrastructure and that quiet areas should be protected. finally, the document sites a mounting body of evidence indicating that wildlife may also be seriously affected by noise.

The Environmental Noise Directive (2002/49/EC) relates to the assessment and management of environmental noise. Its principal aim is to ‘de-fine a common approach intended to avoid, pre-vent or reduce, on a prioritised basis, the harmful effects, including annoyance, due to the exposure to environmental noise’. The Directive refers to noise that people are exposed to continuously and not to noise created by people themselves, their neighbours, their workplaces, or noises ex-perienced while in transit. It aims at providing a basis for developing EU measures to reduce noise emitted by major sources, in particular road and rail vehicles and infrastructures, aircraft, outdoor and industrial equipment and mobile machinery. The underlying principles of the Directive include:

Monitoring environmental noise pollution through the development of ‘strategic noise maps’ for major roads, railways, airports and agglomerations, using harmonised noise indi-cators Lden and Lnight.


Informing and consulting the public about noise exposure, its effects, and the measures consid-ered to address, manage and reduce noise.

Addressing local noise issues by developing action plans to reduce noise where necessary and maintain and improve environmental noise quality in areas where it is good.

Developing a long-term EU strategy, which includes objectives to reduce the number of people affected by noise, and provides a framework for developing existing EU policy on noise reduction from source.

EU regulations on noise management have been based on internal market objectives such as setting harmonised noise limits for mo-tor vehicles, household appliances and other noise-generating products. These laws have encouraged the development of innovations that can help limit noise pollution, such as low noise tyres and more silent road surfaces, as well as noise barriers and soundproofing. A number of applicant cities for the 2018 cycle have demonstrated the use of measures concerning noise monitoring, reporting and communication, the use of noise reduction measures, particularly in the use of low noise asphalt materials and traffic management, and also the use of measures regarding the classification, improvement and protection of quiet areas within their cities.


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Ultra-fast rechargeable electric buses with hybrid backup (Hybricon). Electric buses may reduce noise levels up to 10 dBA. The share of electric buses in the city transport system will increase from 0 % to 70 % from 2010 to 2020.

GOOD PRACTICES > QUALITY OF THE ACOUSTIC ENVIRONMENT

1. ULTRA-FAST CHARGING ELECTRIC BUSES TO REDUCE NOISE LEVELS

Umeå

Due to a city’s density more people get exposed to noise and emissions. Umeå Municipality invests in electric buses in order to fulfil a comprehensive plan. The electric buses reduce noise levels up to 10 dBA and also have a significant positive impact on the climate and air quality.

In cooperation with European stakeholders such as e-Traction and Opbrid, as well as local company Hybricon Bus Systems, Umeå has been a partner in developing the world’s first ultra-fast rechargable electric buses adapted to a cold climate with hybrid backup.

LinkGeneral information on the project: http://www.umea.se/mer/tema/greenumea/techni-calvisitsstart/inenglish/referenceobjects/ultrafastchargedelectricbuses.4.7053ae821362a1b437c7962.html


2. HOLISTIC/QUALITATIVE APPROACHES TO THE ACOUSTIC ENVIRONMENT

Umeå

Example of the upgraded railway station in downtown Umeå, with Lev! (Live!) – a sound-scape-like installation inspired by the works of the regionally acclaimed author Sara Lid-man. The installation, the largest glass art work in Europe, opened in November 2012. It draws inspiration from train travel through a birch tree landscape, and is illustrated in sound by bird-song and the author reciting from her work.

Soundscape approaches: art-work Lev! with sound installations at Umeå central train station.

Environmental Good Practices > QUALITY Of THE ACOUSTIC ENVIRONMENT

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3. QUIET AREAS

Umeå

88 % of the citizens in Umeå Municipality are living within 300 metres of quiet areas 35 – 40 dBA Leq. There are several recreation areas that have low noise levels (below 45 dBA Leq.). These areas are of growing importance in a rapidly growing city. In central Umeå there are several parks that have noise levels up to 50 dBA at half the surface or more. One of them, Lake Bäcksjön, is noted in Umeå’s comprehensive plan as a quiet area that should be protected. The noise level in the area is below 40 dBA Leq. Umeå’s city forest, Stadsliden, is used by a large number of local residents: walking, running, skiing, picking mushrooms and berries, etc. The sound level is below 45 dBA in a large part of this area. A management plan aimed at developing Stadsliden will be adopted. The plan focuses on improving recreation values so that the experience of the quiet areas in the city forest is secured.

Figure showing sound levels 24 dBA Leq. and parks in central Umeå where investments have been made for increased access to a quite recreation area.


‘s-Hertogenbosch

The figure below gives a picture of (relatively) quiet areas in ‘s-Hertogenbosch. The Mu-nicipality thinks it is important to protect the areas where it is still relatively quiet. The city focuses mainly on Zuiderpark, Westerpark and fort Orthen where it wants to sustain these quiet areas.

More than 8 % of the population of ‘s-Hertogenbosch lives within 300 metres of one of these three quiet areas. Quiet areas are not just about a low noise level in absolute terms. The sound experience is also important. People may experience, for example, an area as silent when the noise level is relatively low in comparison with nearby areas.

Overview of quiet areas in ‘s-Hertogenbosch (Max value: 50 dB road traffic + industry, 55 dB railway traffic. Minimal surface area for quiet zone 0.5 hectares (approx. 1 soccer pitch).


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Tallinn

Quiet areas, which citizens are using or could use for recreational purposes, were defined in the noise reduction action plan prepared for Tallinn in 2013. In terms of noise levels, quiet areas have been divided into two categories: quiet area (noise level Lday ≤ 55 dB) and critical quiet area (noise level Lday ≥ 55 dB). In the last 10 years, Tallinn has developed several quiet areas and made them accessible. The biggest is the 2.5 km Rocca al Mare beach promenade that connects the Kakumäe and Stroomi beaches. New parks have also been created in Lasnamäe district (Pae and Tondiloo parks).

Quiet and critical quiet areas in Tallinn (Strategic Noise Map of the City of Tallinn, 2012).


4. NOISE-OPTIMISED ASPHALT

Noise-optimised asphalt has a very even surface structure of concave plateaus with crev-ices that ensures less contact pressure with tyres; the tyres vibrate less, generating less airborne sound.

‘s-Hertogenbosch

In ‘s-Hertogenbosch’s action plan, opportunities were mapped out to improve the sound quality by changing the road surface. This mapping covers the period until 2018.

Opportunities for improving sound quality by road surface changes


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Nijmegen

Nijmegen currently has 25 km of roads with noise-optimised asphalt. Some is laid on the basis of the ‘silent roads’ stimulation arrangement for which the state has granted subsi-dies. As a result, the façade burden of a large number of houses was reduced by approx. 3 dB. In addition, roads with noise-optimised asphalt have been laid in new developments, in accordance with the Noise Nuisance Act.

Left: Location of ‘silent roads’ – current situation; Right: Location of ‘silent roads’ to be laid over the next few years.


5. NOISE MONITORING, REPORTING AND COMMUNICATION

‘s-Hertogenbosch

The Municipality of ‘s-Hertogenbosch is committed to managing the noise of catering, and other, events. Since 2007, the City has performed noise measurements at all major events (12 to 15 annually). The City has been using unmanned measuring stations that can be read remotely for four years. When the limit is exceeded or complaints are received, the organiser is contacted immediately. The organiser can also monitor the current noise situ-ation on a municipal website. The City has noticed that compliance has been significantly increased by regular checks and has received positive feedback from the event organisers regarding the monitoring options and the available information. In 2014 a penalty system was implemented; it is used when an organisation does not comply with the sound limits.

Noise measurements during events, and an example from the municipal website showing current noise levels.


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Tallinn

The real time noise levels are constantly displayed on the noise board located at one of the largest roads connecting city districts (Sõpruse Road), and at one of the busiest roads in the city centre (Pärnu Road).

Both the noise maps and noise action plan are accessible on the website of the City of Tal-linn, but, in addition, the noise map is also been displayed on the environmental information screen located on freedom Square in the city centre.

Noise screen installed at a main road in Tallinn, providing real time monitoring of ambient noise levels.

An environmental information screen has been set up in the city centre to inform people about the status of ambient air, the most recent noise map of Tallinn and the changing PM10 content


Warsaw

As part of the public consultations within the Noise Action Plan, an educational campaign was conducted, whereby residents were provided with a special brochure on environmental noise reduction.

An excerpt from the brochure ‘Does city noise annoy you?’ on environmental noise reduction.


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INDICATOR 7: WASTE MANAGEMENT


European waste policy objectives aim at de-livering a lasting shift towards prevention and recycling as part of a transition to a greener circular economy. Managing waste as a valu-able resource and maximising its potential for reuse, recycling or recovery is a growing focus across Europe. Waste that is merely disposed of is viewed as a loss of resources, and thus as an inefficiency of the economy.

The EU Waste framework Directive (2008/98/EC) is the cornerstone of EU waste policy. It re-vised the waste hierarchy as a five-step prior-ity order, with waste prevention as the best op-tion, followed by preparing for reuse, recycling and other forms of recovery including energy recovery. Disposal is the least preferred option and with many Member States implementing landfill bans and taxes, landfilling is quickly becoming an obsolete waste treatment ap-proach. Lifecycle thinking was also introduced as a new waste policy concept.

However waste management needs to be considered in a wider context, with regard to objectives for sustainability, resource ef-ficiency and the circular economy. At the end of 2015 the European Commission adopted an ambitious Circular Economy Package, which includes revised legislative proposals on waste to stimulate Europe’s transition towards a circular economy. The package consists of an EU Action Plan for the Circular Economy that establishes a concrete and ambitious pro-gramme of action, with measures covering the whole cycle: from production and consump-tion to waste management and the market for secondary raw materials. The proposed actions will contribute to ‘closing the loop’ of product lifecycles through greater recycling and reuse, and bring benefits for both the environment and the economy.


GOOD PRACTICES > WASTE MANAGEMENT

1. NIJMEGEN: ‘GO GREEN FESTIVAL’, A COMMUNICATION STRATEGY ON WASTE

SummaryThe city has a strong commitment to public awareness and the dissemination of information on waste, with a focus on specific streams each year under a consistent campaign heading.

Context The Nijmegen ‘prevention and reuse’ strategy is based on two pillars: ‘the polluter pays’ and ‘reverse collection’. The Nijmegen strategy is geared towards a circular economy and processes each waste stream as sustainably as possible.

OutcomeThe main objective of the campaign is to increase general awareness around waste preven-tion and separation, and to guide the everyday handling of waste towards a sustainable future. for example, the umbrella campaign ‘Kijk! Afval = Grondstof’ (Look! Waste = Raw Material) is getting people to realise that ‘waste doesn’t exist’, that it is actually valuable raw material. Every year, specific waste streams are brought out into the open to display their social and economic value, the importance of separate collection, and to show how they can be reused. Specific actions are organised with the various target groups for each different waste stream: distribution of compost, recycling games, tours and visits at the fermentation plant, etc.

Linkhttp://www.dar.nl/kijkafvalisgrondstof

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2. TALLINN: WASTE MANAGEMENT CENTRE

SummaryThis project aims at improving the efficiency of separate waste collection with the help of Tallinn Waste Centre.

Context The city has developed its collection system, which is a mixture of door-to-door collections and bring bank facilities.

OutcomeThe central organisation of waste transport has several advantages. firstly, it makes it possible to provide a single waste collection service throughout the city – there are no big differences in prices or the quality of customer service across regions. Secondly, it creates the possibility to cross-subsidise the price of the waste collection service by type of waste, e.g. establishing higher charges for emptying mixed municipal waste bins and lower charges for separately collected waste, or emptying bins of recovery waste free of charge. Thirdly, overseeing the process is easier for the City – it has current and immediate information about waste collection. The number of contracts increased by a remarkable 11.5 % in the first 10 months. fourthly, it is possible for the City to provide several additional services (e.g. flexible transport of bulky waste, including leaves and Christmas trees, bin washing), which has directly helped to improve the waste management service and thereby boosted the willingness of people to collect waste separately.

In addition to the increase in the number of people that have joined the organised waste collection system, its implementation has also helped to create better opportunities for the separate collection of waste, and the volume of separately collected waste has increased.


3. ‘s-HERTOGENBOSCH: INTEGRATED TREATMENT OF BIOGAS AND RENEWABLE HEAT

SummaryBy 2020, the City intends to have a completely carbon neutral waste management service, including the operation of the City’s vehicles, by extracting energy from wastewater.

Context The waste management system in ‘s-Hertogenbosch is well established and performs strongly in certain areas.

Context The Aa and Maas Water Board devised an innovative combination of existing and new techniques for extracting energy from wastewater (The Energy factory). The city is convert-ing this idea into concrete action together with the Heineken brewery and the Water Board: biogas will be extracted from wastewater. In this project about 2 million m3 of natural gas will be replaced by biogas (at Heineken) and around 300 000 litres of diesel will be replaced by biogas (at the waste service). The total CO2 emission reduction will be equal to 4 600 tonnes. This may be even more in the future, if the production of biogas is further increased.

The renewed wastewater treatment plant of the Aa and Maas Water Board will supply high grade biogas (bio-CNG) to Heineken for the brewing process and to Waste Management Services for its car fleet. The biomass plant of the Waste Management Services then sup-plies heat to the Water Board for heating its fermentation tanks. This proposed plan is a perfect example of waste treatment turning to energy production to obtain a self-sufficient energy balance.

In July 2015, the City Council made credit available for the construction of a pipeline for the transport of hot water from the Waste Management Service facility biomass installation to the Water Board. Soon the construction of the necessary pipes will be started to exchange supplies back and forth.

Environmental Good Practices > WASTE MANAGEMENT

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INDICATOR 8: WATER MANAGEMENT


The EU Water framework Directive (WfD) ac-knowledges that modern water management needs to take account of the environmental, economic and social functions of water re-sources throughout an entire river basin (EEA, 2007). Indeed, more and more countries are considering both supply and demand in their river basin management plans, and particularly in their public water management (EEA, 2010).

Water pricing and governance are among the strategies and measures employed to encour-age sustainable use. The WfD requires Mem-ber States to consider a polluter-pays principle that would recover the cost of water services, including environmental and resource costs, from users including farmers, industry and ordinary household consumers (EEA, 2007, 2010a). Water metering provides a strong in-centive to save water, and experience shows that households with water meters (and asso-ciated charges) generally use less water than those without them, but this is only the first step towards more rational water use.

How can we improve water management in our homes and cities in order to reduce con-sumption and withdrawals? There are many techniques that can be applied to buildings, and urban areas. first of all, there are simple

solutions to save water at home (tap aerators, dual-flush toilets or low consumption domes-tic appliances). But it is also possible to adopt more suitable water systems. Why should we use drinking water to flush toilets, to irrigate gardens or wash cars? Rainwater and grey-water use is one way to save water, and the EU supports rainwater management systems and the decentralised treatment and reuse of wastewater. The identification of where leaks occur within the system, and repair and updat-ing within the distribution infrastructure, are critical in the minimisation and prevention of wasted water resources. Techniques to reduce losses in water networks are particularly im-portant, as they also allow energy savings as well.

All the applicant cities for 2018 have rea-sonable consumption rates (Warsaw has the highest domestic water consumption rates of all the applicant cities with each citizen using approximately 130 l/day). Arad has the lowest domestic water use with only 73 l/day used by each inhabitant. ‘s-Hertogenbosch has the low-est percentage of water loss in pipelines, with only 2.5 % of water losses reported. Nijmegen, ‘s-Hertogenbosch and Ghent are adopting Sus-tainable Urban Drainage Systems and Natural Water Retention Measures to properly manage rainwater and minimise the possible negative impacts of climate change.


GOOD PRACTICES > WATER MANAGEMENT

1. UMEÅ: LOWERING WATER CONSUMPTION

SummaryIn a two-year (2012 – 14) pilot project including 134 apartments the municipal housing company Bostaden, in cooperation with Umeå University, conducted the installation of energy-saving, ‘intelligent’, low-water-consuming equipment.

Context future plans in water management aim at improving the water-energy nexus, finding al-ternative water sources, reducing leakages and combatting climate change, with an overall ambitious and integrated perspective.

OutcomeThe pilot resulted in a 30 % decrease of hot water consumption (15 % for cold water) com-pared with control apartments. Based on these results, Bostaden plans to successively sub-stitute the equipment in all its apartments (15 400 in total, corresponding to 27 % of the total housing market in Umeå, and 57 % of all rented apartments).

The study looked at the reduction of hot and cold water use with the installation of energy efficient armatures. It was based on measurements, taken over 23 months, of individual water use in 77 apartments (test and control). The test apartments were first equipped with earlier generation water armatures, to later be replaced with the latest generation energy-efficient armatures. The cold and hot water use was then logged every ten minutes, and the monitoring was based on average daily water use for the times when tenants used the apartment. Apartments with changing tenants during the test period, and other sources of error, were omitted from the study in order to reduce uncertainties.

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2. TALLINN: PROMOTION OF TAP WATER

SummaryThe creation of a website and awareness-raising campaigns to promote tap water.

Context Tallinn has been working with its water board for decades to raise water-related environ-mental awareness amongst visitors and residents of Tallinn.

OutcomeThe main emphasis, 10 years ago, was on water saving. After the success of dedicated cam-paigns, the emphasis has now shifted to promoting the drinking of tap water. As a result of poor quality tap water in the 1990s, bottled water has become increasingly popular. The qual-ity of tap water in Tallinn has been very high for years, yet bottled-water drinking continues to be popular. The website www.jookraanivett.eu was created to promote tap water drinking. The site provides information about the benefits of drinking tap water, saving tap water and the campaigns that will be organised. Many restaurants in Tallinn have joined the initiative Tap Water Is Drinking Water! and are happy to offer free tap water to customers. Events and advertising campaigns have also been organised where Estonian celebrities make tap-water cocktails. Another campaign Don’t Cause a Blockage! was organised to advise people what they should avoid throwing into the sewage system so as not to create blockages.

Linkwww.jookraanivett.eu


INDICATOR 9: WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT


The treatment of wastewater is a vital step in the continuous water cycle but also in terms of protecting the natural environment. With great advances in wastewater treatment and the corresponding increase in the quality of water discharged into the environment, all stakehold-ers are benefiting.

A clean urban environment is among the goals of the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). Its objective is to protect the en-vironment from the adverse effects of urban wastewater discharges and discharges from certain industrial sectors.

This Directive requires all cities and towns with populations of 2 000 or more to have sewage collection systems in place and to treat the wastewater to certain minimum standards before it is discharged into the environment. This legislation has helped to clean up rivers, lakes and coastal areas and has been essential for meeting the health-based standards of the Bathing Water Directive (2006/7/EC).

According to the data reported by the 2018 EGCA applicant cities the proportion of the total generated wastewater load connected to the collection system and subsequently treated in wastewater treatment plants is quite high in

all cases. The connection rates range between 87.57 % for Ghent to 100 % for Tallinn. In most cases the appropriate treatment is applied for the remaining unconnected portion. Treatment levels and capacities of wastewater treatment plants satisfy the current needs of the cities. All cities comply with the requirements of the Ur-ban Wastewater Treatment Directive according to the information provided in the applications.

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GOOD PRACTICES > WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT

1. UMEÅ: IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF INCOMING WASTEWATER

SummaryAwareness-raising campaigns to improve the quality of incoming wastewater and facilitate treatment in the wastewater treatment plants.

Context Umeå documented a good wastewater performance; successfully dealing with the joint challenges of the Nordic weather and a sparse population.

OutcomeContinuous and systematic upstream work is an important measure for improving the quality of incoming wastewater, for example, by minimising the presence of unwanted substances such as metals or pharmaceutical residues. Awareness-raising campaigns are organised to achieve that goal. This way, wastewater treatment can be optimised with regard to envi-ronmental standards. The city authorities run a number of information campaigns aimed at informing both industries and households about water, wastewater and waste, and to increase knowledge about environmental issues.


2. GHENT: WATER MANAGEMENT IN THE OLD DOCKS PROJECT

SummaryPower production through an innovative system from sewage and green and kitchen waste, developed in the newly built sustainable district, Old Docks.

Context In the area between the Dampoort and the Muide-Meulestede districts about 1 500 new homes will be built. In the first phase, 350 houses will be developed as well as a primary school, kindergarten and sports hall.

OutcomeSustainability is the central theme in this new district. The private partner makes the new development completely carbon neutral by placing a strong green emphasis on energy ef-ficiency and renewable energy, sustainable transport and car-free living, and quality of life. In addition to energy neutrality, radical choices were made in terms of mobility, housing types (kangaroo living and co-housing) and residents’ involvement.

The ambition to produce power through an innovative system from sewage and green and kitchen waste is remarkable. In a traditional residential area, the wastewater, often highly diluted with rainwater, is collected and transported through the municipal sewer system and supra-municipal collectors to large-scale water purification plants. The collection and treat-ment is costly and energy intensive. In the Old Docks black wastewater (faeces) is collected in the highest concentration possible, together with the fermentable green and kitchen waste. By making use of vacuum toilets much less rinse water is used and the wastewater (due to its high concentration) becomes suitable for fermentation (an anaerobic purification method). Upon fermentation, methane gas (biogas) is released, which is a renewable energy source. This biogas can be converted into thermal energy (heat) and distributed via a heat-ing network.

The so-called grey wastewater (wastewater from showers, dishwashers, washing machines, etc.) still carries a lot of energy and usually keeps the building at a temperature of about 28 °C. By means of a heat pump system, the energy from grey wastewaters can be recov-ered and delivered to the heating network.

Linkhttp://www.oudedokken.be/

Environmental Good Practices > WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT

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INDICATOR 10: ECO-INNOVATION AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT


Sustainable employment is crucial for cities to create a future for their citizens, and the green sector is among Europe’s most promising in terms of economic development. It has con-tinued to grow despite the financial crisis and is expected to generate 20 million new jobs by 2020.

The circular economy is a self-perpetuating system for sustainability and economic growth. Achieving a low-carbon economy is critical for the transformation towards a green economy. A low-carbon society builds low-energy, low-emission buildings with intelligent heating and cooling systems, and low-carbon transport options like electric and hybrid cars, into the day-to-day life of its citizens. The improved management of waste, water and energy re-sources, supporting sustainable production and consumption and fostering sustainable innova-tions and clean technology are key elements for a city-developed green economy.

Cities are strategically placed to promote partnerships between various private and non-profit organisations and provide networking opportunities for stakeholders to come togeth-er to create added value. The key to the green economy is the right confluence of research and marketing, and cities are the perfect hub for academic development and business. The concentration of people also makes cities an ideal target for sustainable education initia-tives that will facilitate employment and green growth.

Benefits and synergies that can be realised by building a resource efficient community include:

• Jobs created in the sustainable growth sec-tor, which are generally very secure, and hold a high potential for exports and eco-nomic value creation;

• Actions on climate change and energy effi-ciency, which increase energy security and reduce vulnerability to oil shocks;

• Low-carbon technologies, which reduce emissions and often bring benefits in terms of air quality, noise and public health;

• Local taxes and subsidies on the use of en-ergy or other resources, used both to steer more sustainable behaviour, and mobilise job creation and economic growth;

• Increased recycling rates reduce the pres-sure on demand for primary raw materi-als, help to reuse valuable materials which would otherwise be wasted, and reduce en-ergy consumption and GHG emissions from extraction and processing;

• Improving product design to reduce resource demand increases the reusability of prod-ucts, as well as stimulating innovation, busi-ness opportunities and employment;

• Improving energy efficiency, thus relieving pressure on land resources.

The following examples demonstrate what cities are doing in terms of eco-innovation and sustainable employment in the urban environment.


GOOD PRACTICES > ECO-INNOVATION AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

1. ARAD: ENTREPRENEURS’ GREEN CLUB

SummaryUnder the supervision of the Arad City Hall, and with the support of different partners, by the end of 2016 the Entrepreneurs’ Green Club will be established.

Context Arad has constructed a sustainable-development synergy comprising the business com-munity, higher education institutions and the local authorities. Eco-innovation is a concept promoted not only by certain modern private companies, but also by the Chamber of Com-merce, Industry and Agriculture of Arad, as well as by Arad Municipality.

OutcomeThe Entrepreneurs’ Green Club will support the companies operating in the city by discover-ing new models for the sustainable development of their businesses in order to reduce the impact on the environment, thus helping them:

• to increase their financial performances by using new business models;

• to improve efficiency and productivity;

• to reduce the costs of materials and energy consumption;

• to reduce dependence on the use of hazardous materials;

• to reduce the quantity of waste produced.

Linkhttp://www.cnpcd.ro/en/the-green-club-of-entrepreneurs

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2. GHENT: BIO-ECONOMY VALLEY

SummaryGhent Bio-Energy Valley was founded in 2005 by Ghent University, the City of Ghent, the Port Authority of Ghent, the Development Agency (POM) of East flanders and a number of industrial companies active in the development, distribution, storage and use of bio-energy. Between 2005 and 2010 they invested more than EUR 500 million in Ghent, the highest figure in Belgium.

Context Ghent eco-innovation can rely on a dense local network of knowledge institutions, unique in Europe. These knowledge institutions also offer research expertise that feeds the industry or answers its questions.

OutcomeOver the years, more and more companies joined Ghent Bio-Energy Valley and introduced new activities. Although the name suggests otherwise, Ghent Bio-Energy Valley has always supported the development of all bio-based activities: not only bio-energy, but bio-chem-icals and bio-materials as well. To more accurately reflect the activities a new name was chosen: Ghent Bio-Economy Valley. With this new name Ghent wants to remain the main driving force for the bio-based economy just as it was years before for bio-fuel.

Ghent Bio-Economy Valley promotes the development of the bio-based economy through mutual research projects, the clustering and creation of synergies between partners and communication to the general public. As the food versus fuel debate is mainly focused on the use of organic waste for bio-based production, second-generation technology is needed to convert this waste into suitable raw materials for organic-based processes.

It is estimated that 10 % of the today’s chemical products are organic based. That does not seem like much, but when we consider that five years ago it only was 5 %, this reveals a strong growth in a relatively short period of time. The general expectancy is that it will be about 30 % by 2030, and 50 % by 2050. The organic-based economy is no longer niche. This evolution is perfectly predictable because petroleum is a finite resource that also creates pollution and global warming. The alternative is the market for organic-based products.

Linkhttp://www.gbev.org/en


3. ‘s-HERTOGENBOSCH : SPARK CAMPUS FOR ECO-INNOVATION

SummaryIn 2014, ‘s-Hertogenbosch, together with other parties, founded SPARK, a campus for in-novation and technology in construction.

Context In ‘s-Hertogenbosch the Municipality takes the leading role regarding sustainability and ap-plying innovations. In this compact and historic city with agrarian roots, the authorities work closely with businesses, educational institutions and residents to make the energy supply and the agri-food sector more sustainable.

OutcomeThe purpose of SPARK is to significantly increase the quality of the construction environ-ment by developing products that improve safety, health and sustainability. SPARK focuses on mobility, energy, materials and health.

SPARK results up to this point include:

• 10 strategic partnerships;

• 5 living labs have been started including a power generating sound screen;

• The f59 fast Cycle Route ‘s-Hertogenbosch – Oss;

• The drain-water heat recovery swimming pool Kwekkelstijn;

• More than 50 companies are now members of SPARK;

• 20 PhD graduates from the Eindhoven University of Technology are working on 10 SPARK themes;

• SPARK has a business model prepared for organising an Accelerator Programme aimed at suportng SMEs;

• SPARK is starting a crossover innovation programme for young professionals aiming at coaching and developing talent within the SPARK-ecosystem and achieving innovation breakthroughs in smart and sustainable living;

• Talent Base, the Bossche Business Incubator, has been nominated for the national Social Innovation Award 2015.

Linkhttp://www.sparkcampus.nl/

Environmental Good Practices > ECO-INNOVATION AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

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INDICATOR 11: ENERGY PERfORMANCE


The EU’s main objectives in relation to energy policy are to secure sustainable energy supply and consumption whilst maintaining a com-petitive environment that ensures the afford-ability of homes, businesses, and industries. To achieve this, we must lower GHG emissions, pollution, and fossil fuel dependence.

Under the Europe 2020 strategy, by 2020 GHG emissions must drop by 20 % or more, renewable sources must account for 20 % of energy consumed; and energy efficiency must improve by 20 %. More ambitious goals for the year 2030 are currently under discussion, sup-ported by the international climate negotiation process and associated milestones.

There is plenty of potential for energy effi-ciency improvement in Europe. It is currently estimated that 75 % of housing stock is energy inefficient and 94 % of transport relies on oil products, 90 % of which is imported. The es-tablishment of a European Energy Union will ensure secure, affordable and climate-friendly energy for citizens and businesses.

The following examples demonstrate what cit-ies are doing in terms of energy performance in the urban environment.


1. GHENT: ENERGY COACHING IN COMPANIES

SummaryAfter an energy scan a company is assisted for a full year in the creation and implementation of an energy saving plan. Experts provide professional support for aspects like insulation, heating, cooling, relighting, and compressed air, to ensure the energy saving is structurally anchored in the company. The focus is on investment measures and behavioural measures, monitoring, maintenance and guidance.

Context In the 2015 Ghent Climate Plan 2014-2019, Ghent defines six priority activities to achieve its sustainability objectives (housing, business, renewable energy, transport, food and acting as a role model).

OutcomeBetween 2012 and mid 2014 the pilot project Trajectbegeleiding Energiemanagement op-erated in Ghent. This project targeted companies with a minimum annual consumption of 1 000 MWh. fifteen Ghent companies were involved in the pilot project. Together they achieved a reduction in CO2 emissions of approximately 1 820 tonnes and a financial saving of no less than EUR 360 000. Energy savings of up to 20 % were achieved. The European network Climate Alliance awarded this project a Climate Star because it demonstrates that a progressive climate policy goes hand in hand with economic recovery.

Given the success of this pilot project, the Ghent City Council launched a follow-up to this project in 2015. The City calls for Ghent companies to follow the 15 leaders. for 110 com-panies a tailored coaching route has been made available.

Companies with a minimum electrical consumption of 100 000 kWh or 345 000 kWh heat, get professional assistance worth EUR 4 000. When the annual consumption is higher than 500 000 kWh electricity or 1 725 000 kWh heat, the City of Ghent provides guidance worth EUR 7 000. The contribution of the participating companies is limited to 10 %. Companies commit to performing all actions within a minimum payback period of less than two years.

GOOD PRACTICES > ENERGY PERFORMANCE

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2. ‘s-HERTOGENBOSCH: RENOVATION TO ZERO ENERGY HOMES

SummaryBetween 2012 and 2014 homeowners, entrepreneurs, knowledge institutions and the mu-nicipality of ’s-Hertogenbosch cooperated in Energie Nul73 to make existing residential buildings energy neutral by overcoming financial, technical and legal issues and to enhance businesses by applying energy neutral technology.

Context In 2015 ‘s-Hertogenbosch started drafting its Roadmap to Carbon Neutrality for 2050, in a participatory process with companies, institutions and residents.

OutcomeThe first-ever energy-neutral renovated private-owned terraced house in the Netherlands, is a result of the Energie Nul73 project. This house was awarded The Best Energy-Neutral House of 2014 by House of Energy, a national community of energy pioneers. All the energy needed is generated by solar panels. The house, built in 1960, now has an outer insulation layer, making it stand out from the rest of the street. This project demonstrated the ten-sions between existing construction policy and the ambition for energy-neutral buildings. By approving this renovation, the municipal building authority took a ground-breaking deci-sion. This precedent of ‘s-Hertogenbosch can now be emulated by all municipalities in the Netherlands.

The Netherlands has millions of similar terraced houses, badly insulated and with high energy costs. Project Stroomversnelling (a word play on accelerated current or gaining momentum) is a movement that started in 2013 and stimulates the market to develop industrialised concepts to renovate these houses to become energy-neutral on a large scale.

In July 2015 about 100 partners in the province of Brabant made a deal to renovate 1 000 houses before 2018. The long-term ambition is an energy-neutral housing supply by 2050.

In ‘s-Hertogenbosch the two largest housing associations are starting a pilot of 100 houses in the coming year. for privately owned houses financing an energy-neutral renovation re-mains problematic. That’s why the municipality of ‘s-Hertogenbosch is offering a subsidy for the first 10 energy-neutral renovations of privately owned houses. Communication, as well as helping homeowners take the right steps towards a comfortable home without energy costs, is one of the major tasks.


3. TALLINN: FIX THE FACADE

SummaryThe city of Tallinn has three successful support measures for apartment associations that aim at improving apartment buildings and courtyards, and which have helped to make Tal-linn more attractive and energy efficient and improved the quality of living over a period of less than 10 years.

Context Tallinn aims at reducing CO2 emissions by 40 % and increasing the share of renewable energy by 40 % by 2030.

OutcomeSince 2010, Tallinn has been implementing the fix the facades project, with a view to helping apartment associations to make their buildings more energy efficient (insulation of facades and roofs, replacement of doors and windows, replacement or reconstruction of heating and ventilation systems). The scheme supports apartment associations in applying

for building renovation loans by covering the necessary self-financing. Apartment buildings built before 1993 are the target group of the renovation loan, as they are not heat- or soundproof. The support grant amounts to 10 % of the amount of the renovation loan ap-plied for by the association, but no more than EUR 19 173 per year. Within the scope of the fix the facades project, Tallinn supported the reconstruction of 123 apartment buildings to a value of EUR 1.71 million from 2010 to 2014. The support scheme continued in 2015, when 19 apartment associations were awarded EUR 253 000.

Linkhttp://www.tallinn.ee/fassaadidkorda/

Environmental Good Practices > ENERGY PERfORMANCE

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INDICATOR 12: INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT


Because the various dimensions of urban life – environmental, economic, social and cultur-al – are interwoven, successful urban man-agement requires an integrated approach. Measures for environmental protection and improvement should be combined with those for physical urban renewal, education, economic development and social inclusion. Strong partnerships between citizens, civil society, the local economy and the various levels of government are a prerequisite for effective action.

Integrated environmental management is based on a strong and broadly accepted vi-sion for the future of the city. Political com-mitments supported by an involved and knowledgeable administration are essential for environmental and sustainable urban policy.

Successful administrations are those that show strong leadership, and effective man-agement of energy efficiency in public buildings.

Green Public Procurement (GPP) is an excel-lent method for boosting a city’s energy ef-ficiency. This is a process by which ‘public au-

thorities seek to procure goods, services and works with a reduced environmental impact throughout their life cycle when compared to goods, services and works with the same primary function that would otherwise be procured’.1

Although GPP is a voluntary instrument, it has a key role to play in the EU’s efforts to become a more resource-efficient economy. It can help stimulate a critical mass of demand for more sustainable goods and services that might otherwise be difficult to get onto the market. GPP is therefore a strong stimulus for eco-innovation.

The shift towards the low-carbon economy is critical to delivering increased energy ef-ficiency and improving the management of our public buildings. Green buildings that require less energy for lighting, heating and cooling through smarter use of materials, fa-cade design and innovative air flow systems, are an essential component for achieving ef-ficient and sustainable European cities. The development of block, district and city ‘group-thinking’ in relation to energy performance in cities is also critical. The development of compatible and integrated energy infrastruc-tures on a city basis lays the foundation on which smart-cities can optimise their energy performance.

The involvement of all stakeholders within a city, especially youth groups, is essential to the development of a ‘smart-city’. This

1 Public procurement for a better environment, COMMUNICATION fROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIA-

MENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE Of THE REGIONS.


Environmental Good Practices > INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

GOOD PRACTICES > INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

1. NIJMEGEN: EVALUATION OF ENVIRONNEMENTAL ACTIONS

SummaryNijmegen has a strong tradition in the evaluation of environmental projects.

Context The sectoral plans all relate as much as possible to the five main themes of the City Vision 2020. Above all the City has also committed to a long-term vision (2045) for water and energy.

OutcomeMost cities monitor their key activities. Evaluation goes a step further in Nijmegen; it not only researches if activities have been implemented according to plan, but also if they were effective, if other activities could have been more effective, and if the results contribute to the original objective.

Nijmegen even has a budget reserved for bridging solutions, if a result does not answer the expectations of its citizens. An example is the monitoring process that was developed for the ‘West wants a green buffer’ project. After the opening of the new Town Bridge, in consultation with concerned residents, the current noise and air levels will be measured for five years to determine whether the goals of the project are met. Improving the living environment despite road expansion was a focal point in this. If the expected positive effects are not realised, a budget of EUR 1 million has been set aside for complementary measures.

requires support on a political level, and de-mands that the administration is proactive in bringing together city officials, innovative suppliers, national and EU policymakers, aca-demics and civil society.

The following examples demonstrate what cit-ies are doing in terms of integrated environ-mental management in the urban environment.

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2. UMEÅ: SCHOOLS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

SummaryA programme for school staff, i.e. teachers and school directors, to help them develop the skills to teach sustainability.

Context Next to awareness and knowledge, the development of skills is essential before citizens, officers, and stakeholders can change their behaviour or use their knowledge properly. Only a few cities pay attention to this element.

OutcomeIn Umeå there has been a long-term systematic approach to integrating sustainability into education. This gives the young citizens of Umeå an invaluable knowledge base, which they will be able to use both in their personal and professional life for years to come.

The model applied in Umeå includes skills development for teachers, teacher networking four times per year, and seminars every second week. An annual conference gathers 300 teach-ers and principals, for lectures and workshops focused on global sustainable development.

Once a year there is a Counsel for Sustainable Development, a collaboration between stu-dents, teachers, politicians, officials and sustainability experts. The officials and experts present the background and current issues that need to be solved or discussed. The stu-dents work with the different cases and present their results and solutions in the form of a presentation, a movie, an information folder, or any other appropriate form they choose. During the presentation the students get to ask questions and present their ideas to the politicians and officials.


Appendix – Expert Panel Profiles

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Indicator No. 1 Climate Change: mitigation and adaptation

Expert: f. Javier González Vidal, Atmospheric pollution technical advisor, Regional Government of Valencia – D.G. Environment, Spain

f. Javier González Vidal is an industrial engineer who graduated from the Polytechnic University of Valencia. Throughout his professional career he has always focused on the promotion of environmental respect, both at the regional and international level. for the last 13 years he has been working for the Regional Govern-ment of Valencia in the Directorate-General for Environment, where the activities and respon-sibilities of the job have provided him with a broad overview of the situation related to the intensive use of energy, climate change, pollut-ing emissions and air quality.

The development and implementation of poli-cies to fight air pollution and climate change have been one of his priorities, and he has used emissions inventories as a key tool to assess effectiveness. During this period some of the main tasks he has been involved in have been: the development, implementation and moni-toring of the policies included in the regional Climate Change Strategy; the implementation of the EU ETS; the management of the PRTR

register; air quality network analysis and the subsequent development of air quality actions plans.

He was a member of the Climate Change Committee of the European Commission as a representative of the regional governments of Spain in order to express their opinion during the negotiations of the European policies.

Since 2005, as a member of the Roster of Experts of the United Nations framework Convention on Climate Change, Javier has contributed to the review of national com-munications and inventories, focusing on the Energy Efficiency Chapter, according to the Kyoto Protocol commitments. He has cooper-ated actively with D.G. Enlargement, providing technical support to EU partner countries with regard to the approximation, application and enforcement of EU environmental legislation through the Technical Assistance and Informa-tion Exchange instrument.

In 2013 he worked with the Ministry of Envi-ronment of Brazil, in the context of the sectoral dialogues between the EU and Brazil, on the Climate Change and Energy Efficiency Chapter.


Indicator No. 2 Local Transport

Expert: Ian Skinner, Director of Transport and Environ-mental Policy Research, London, United Kingdom.

Ian Skinner is an independent researcher and consultant with over 20 years of experience in undertaking research and consultancy proj-ects focusing on the environmental impacts of transport.

His PhD from University College London was on the implementation of sustainable trans-port policies in south-east England and he has also undertaken research at the University of Kent on the marginal cost pricing of transport.

After his PhD Ian, Ian worked at the Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP) and AEA (now Ricardo-AEA) before co-founding TEPR in 2009. Ian’s work focuses on the im-plementation and evaluation of sustainable transport policies for national and interna-tional organisations. Much of Ian’s work has been undertaken at European level for the European Commission, which has involved impact assessments and evaluations of vari-ous EU transport and environmental policies. He has also worked for UNEP, supporting their EST goes EAST project, and has been an inde-pendent evaluator for the European Commis-

sion. In 2013, Ian was invited to draft the chap-ter on European transport policy for the Edgar Elgar book, Research Handbook on Climate Change Mitigation Law (2015, Van Calster and Vandenberghe, eds).

Indicator No. 3 Green Urban Areas incorporating Sustainable Land Use

Expert: Dr Annemieke Smit, Senior researcher on Nature Based Solutions for Society at Alterra (part of Wagenin-gen University and Research Center), the Netherlands.

Annemieke Smit is a physical geographer with a PhD in Ecology. In 2001 she started work-ing at Alterra with a focus on Sustainable Soil and Land Use. She is an expert on sustainable land use management, in urban, peri-urban and rural areas. She was one of the core team members of the Dutch Community of Practice (CoP) regarding sustainable land use manage-ment in spatial planning.for the past two years she has been involved in the Alterra Green Cities programme, combin-ing ecological, social and economic knowledge about the multiple benefits of Green Infra-structure for urban public and private stake-holders. She specialises in multistakeholder projects and is often involved in national EU


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assessments on sustainable development. She is part of the Dutch advisory board for the de-velopment of BREEAM Community.With a focus on good and clear communica-tion, Annemieke always keeps in mind that experts tend to go deep into the subject, while policymakers or non-scientific partners want to know about the impact of the research on their world, work and options.

Indicator No. 4 Nature and Biodiversity

Expert: Dr Jake Piper Associate and Senior Re-search fellow, faculty of Technology, Design and Environment, Oxford Brookes University, United Kingdom.

Jake Piper has worked as a researcher and lecturer at Oxford Brookes University for over 12 years, following on from an earlier career in environmental consultancy. Her academic background includes environmental policy and land management. In recent years she has contributed to, and managed studies of, policy development and spatial planning, fre-quently as related to biodiversity protection and enhancement under changing climates.

In addition to environmental consultancy for infrastructure developers and for local and central government in the UK, she has worked on several EC programmes (including MACIS

and BRANCH); she acted as a peer reviewer of the EC’s C-Change project which promotes community engagement and behaviour change as well as creating multi-functional green spaces in cities. She has also worked on studies preparing guidance for projects af-fecting Natura 2000 sites, and projects con-cerned with rural development.

Issues around biodiversity, water resources and rivers have been a particular interest – as demonstrated in her book Spatial Planning and Climate Change (written with Elizabeth Wilson). She is a co-editor of the International Journal for Urban Sustainable Development and is a member of the project assess-ment panel of the Trust for Oxfordshire’s Environment.

Indicator No. 5 Ambient Air Quality

Expert: Christer Johansson, Department of Environmen-tal Science and Analytic Chemistry, Stockholm Uni-versity and air quality expert at the Environment and Health Administration of the city of Stockholm, Sweden.

Christer Johansson’s focus area over the past 25 years has been on urban air pollution. This includes anthropogenic emissions, air pollution monitoring, atmospheric dispersion modelling,


chemical reactions, population exposure, air quality and health impacts.

He has been working closely with epidemiolo-gists and atmospheric scientists as well as ur-ban planners in many national and internation-al research projects. At Stockholm University he also supervises PhD and Masters students and is responsible for a Masters course on Air Quality Outdoors and Indoors, which deals with emissions, air quality management and health risk assessments as well as cost-benefit anal-yses of air pollution.At the Swedish National Air Quality Reference Laboratory, he was advisor to the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency and collabo-rated with other reference laboratories mainly in Nordic countries.In the city he works closely with local and na-tional authorities on air quality issues. His unit at the Environment and Health Administration in Stockholm is responsible for operating an air quality management system not only for the city, but for an association that includes 50 municipalities, energy production compa-nies and regional governmental agencies. The system includes monitoring stations, emission inventories and dispersion models and is also used in urban planning to analyse, for example, the impacts on air quality and health of future planning scenarios.

Indicator No. 6 Quality of the Acoustic Environment

Expert: Diogo Alarcão, Spe-cialist in Acoustic Engineer-ing, Principal Researcher and Professor at Instituto Superior Técnico University of Lisbon, Portugal and the Polytechnic Institute of Lisbon, Portugal.

Diogo Alarcão is a physics engineer with a PhD in Acoustics. He is Principal Researcher and a Professor in the scientific area of Acoustics at Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lis-bon, Portugal.

He is a chartered acoustical engineer, mem-ber of the board of the Portuguese Acoustical Society and member of the executive com-mission for the Specialisation in Acoustic En-gineering of Ordem dos Engenheiros.

He has been responsible for major projects in environmental acoustics and noise control, including noise mapping and action plans for large urban areas in various Portuguese cities and for many large transport infrastructures. He has also been responsible for various projects in the areas of room acoustics and virtual acoustics, including real time simula-tions and the auralisation of sound fields in enclosures.


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Indicator No. 7 Waste Production and Management

Expert: Warren Phelan, Tech-nical Director, Waste, Energy and Environment, RPS Group Ltd., Dublin, Ireland.

Warren Phelan is a Technical Director with the Waste, Energy and Environment Section of RPS. Warren is a chartered waste manager and a chartered civil engineer with a Master’s degree in Engineering Science from University College Dublin.

Since joining RPS in early 2001, Warren has worked in the resource and waste management sector developing special-ised skills in policy and legislation, strategy and planning, stakeholder consultations, data analysis and collation methodologies, waste prevention and online resource ap-plications. Warren has extensive knowledge and experience in the strategic approach to managing wastes at a city, regional and national level. Warren is currently Project Manager for the development of the waste management plans covering the Irish State including the preparation of strategic en-vironmental assessment and appropriate assessment documentation supporting the plans.

The ability to source, compile, analyse and pres-ent data is essential for the development of ro-bust waste management systems and plans. In recent years Warren has led a team appointed by the Irish Environmental Protection Agency required to collate and analyse data gathered from all of the major waste treatment facilities in Ireland. Warren has also prepared data for the Irish government, benchmarking Ireland’s performance in the sector against comparable international countries.

Warren has applied his waste management skills and developed waste management plans for large infrastructure projects, international airports, industrial operations and university campuses. Clients have included INTEL and Aéroport de Paris.

Warren has worked on waste projects in the UK, across Europe and in the Middle East. War-ren’s clients include the European Commission and the World Bank, among others. Warren is currently acting as the Irish country agent on a European Commission Horizon 2020-funded project on Sustainable Innovation (CASI project).

Warren has also worked on the design of many waste facilities including baling stations, transfer stations, material recovery facilities and recycling centres and is currently working for WRAP on the redesign of a waste facility in Wales.


Indicator No. 8 Water Management

Expert: Giulio Conte, Project Manager for natural resourc-es area at Ambiente Italia and water policy expert at IRIDRA.

Giulio Conte is a civil-environmental engineer with 19 years of experience in environmental consulting and has a specific expertise in water management.

He has worked on a range of projects in India deal-ing with leak detection in water supply networks, river basin action plans, stormwater manage-ment, and water quality and quantity modelling. for the last 10 years, he has worked in wa-ter policy sectors in france and Europe. He led several studies for the European Commission on Water Efficiency Standards and the Water Performance of Buildings and also contributed to studies for the European Parliament.

He contributed to the 2011 UNEP Green Econ-omy Report and also supported the EEA on two chapters dealing with social and technological megatrends in the European Environment State and Outlook Report (SOER) 2010. Recently, he advised the UNfCCC on the methodology for evaluating water saving devices in the context of the clean development mechanism.

Indicator No. 9 Wastewater Treatment

Expert: Ana Lončarić Božić, Associate Professor, faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, University of Zagreb, Croatia

Ana Lončarić Božić is an associate professor involved in teaching and research in the field of Chemical and Environmental Engineering. Ana holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering. Her research interests include advanced technolo-gies for water and wastewater treatment, ad-vanced oxidation technologies, photocatalysis, degradation of recalcitrant pollutants and con-taminants of emerging concern and ecotoxic-ity. She participated in five national and inter-national research projects within academia and industry in the field of advanced waste-water treatment. She is the author/co-author of more than 30 scientific papers published in peer-reviewed journals (cited over 500 times, h-index 12). Ana sits on three editorial boards and is a regular reviewer for more than 20 sci-entific journals. She is also an environmental management system auditor.

With a background in Chemical and Environ-mental Engineering and expertise in wastewa-ter treatment and water management, Ana was involved as an evaluator for fP7-ENV-2012, fP7-ENV-2013 and NCBR-Core 2012 calls.


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Indicator No. 10 Eco-innovation and Sustainable Employment

Expert: Stefan Speck, Project Manager for environmental economics and policies at the Integrated Environmen-tal Assessments Programme at the European Environ-ment Agency.

Stefan Speck is an environmental economist with a PhD in economics. His main area of research is the application of market-based instruments for environmental policy, environ-mental fiscal reform, and green economy.

Prior to his current position, he was employed as a senior consultant at Kommunalkredit Public Consulting in Austria and as a senior project scientist at the National Environmental Research Institute/University of Aarhus in Den-mark within the EU-funded project Competi-tiveness effects of Environmental Tax Reforms (COMETR). He also contributed to the research project Resource Productivity, Environmental Tax Reform and Sustainable Growth in Europe funded by the Anglo-German foundation. He has implemented projects for a range of cli-ents including the Danish Environmental Pro-tection Agency (DEPA), European Commission (EC), Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), United Nations De-velopment Programme (UNDP), United Nations

Environmental Programme (UNEP), German federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, and the UK Department for International Development (DfID). He has carried out research projects in Africa and Asia, and has published widely on economic instruments and environmental financing and recently coedited the book Envi-ronmental Tax Reform (ETR) A Policy for Green Growth (Oxford University Press, 2011).

Indicator No. 11 Energy Performance

Expert: Manfred fischedick, Vice President of the Wup-pertal Institute and Professor at the Schumpeter School of Business and Economics, Wuppertal, Germany

Manfred fischedick is the Vice President of the Wuppertal Institute, an internationally well-known think tank investigating transformation processes for sustainable development. With particular reference to the areas of climate, energy, resources and mobility, the institute is looking for technical, infrastructural and so-cial innovations that support the transition to sustainable structures. Special focus is given to the transition process of the energy system and cities.


Manfred fischedick also leads the research group future Energy and Mobility Structures of the Wuppertal Institute and is professor at the Schumpeter School of Business and Econom-ics at the University of Wuppertal. He has been working for more than 20 years in the field of energy system analysis (including sustain-able urban infrastructure analysis). He is advi-sor to the German government as well as the Bundesland of North Rhine-Westphalia, author of various publications and peer reviewed ar-ticles. Manfred fischedick is coordinating lead author for the IPCC (responsible for the chapter on industry in the upcoming 5th Assessment Report), and a member of several national and international scientific boards and advisory councils.

Manfred fischedick has been intensively work-ing in the context of sustainable urban infra-structures and energy-efficient cities. His proj-ect experience comprises, among other things, the development of long-term concepts for the German cities of Munich and Düsseldorf and the Chinese city of Wuxi. for the Innovation City Ruhr Bottrop, which is kind of a real-term laboratory in the Ruhr Valley aiming at reduc-ing emissions by 50 % between 2010 and 2020, he leads the scientific accompaniment process.

Indicator No. 12 Integrated Environmental Management

Expert: Jan Dictus, UNIDO Eco-City Expert, founder of GOJA Consulting for Environment and Sustain-able Development, Vienna, Austria

Jan Dictus (nationality Dutch, living and work-ing in Austria since 2000) is an expert on the sustainable development of cities. He has provided services to a wide range of clients at international, European, regional and local lev-els on environmental and sustainable develop-ment issues.

He was involved in several Eco-City projects: for the City of Vienna, Jan led the development of the Environmental Vision of Vienna and is presently supporting the network Cities for a Nuclear free Europe (CNfE). Also for Vienna he was technical chair of the EUROCITIES En-vironment forum. As a UNIDO expert Jan has been involved in the organisation and report-ing of conferences in Jordan and Bahrain on Eco-Cities in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region.

Also for UNIDO and the Government of Ja-pan he is currently setting up a network of Eco-Cities in South East Asia, introducing the instrument of Peer Review for Cities.


Together with the Astronaut Marcos Pontes foundation and UNIDO he is preparing the development of an Eco-State in Roraima, Brazil.

Jan has started a project in Morocco to de-velop a reference framework of sustainabil-ity for the Eco-City Zenata. In the past Jan worked on Green Industry and the promotion of Eco-Business projects in India and Thai-land, for example, and on the development of a Green Award mechanism in Cambodia.

Jan has been a member of the Expert Evalu-ation Panel for the European Green Capital Award since 2012, acted as Lead Expert for URBACT-II and is a member of the expert group for the UNEP-JCEP Sustainable Urban Development and Liveable Garden Commu-nity – China Programme in China.

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