È Tallinn the greenest city in Europe in 2023
Sustainable mobility, urban greenery and protection of biodiversity: the Estonian capital has been elected the greenest city in Europe for 2023 thanks to a series of innovative measures. What can we learn from Tallinn to make our cities more liveable?
Fresh, clean air, lush parks, zero-emission and free public transport, elevated cycle paths that allow you to cycle safely and enjoy the view of the city, without worrying about traffic.
In Tallinn, eco-innovation is the order of the day: public and private buildings use renewable energy sources, streets are paved with natural and recyclable materials, and play areas are created with attention to biodiversity, to offer safe spaces and welcoming to the children of the city.
But it is not just nature that makes the 'pearl of the Baltic' the greenest city in Europe: it is the approach and mentality of its citizens, companies and administrations, who have decided to put the environment and quality of life first. The city has become a model of urbanization that looks to the future, investing in sustainable infrastructure and urban greenery, to offer its citizens a healthy and livable environment.
An approach that earned Tallinn the recognition of European Green Capital, established by the European Union to reiterate the importance of the role of cities in adapting and mitigating climate change and rewarding those that stand out for their environmental policies; cities that demonstrate a concrete commitment to reducing pollution, promoting sustainable mobility and improving the quality of life of their citizens through the care of urban greenery.
The importance of a 'green' city
Greenery in the city is like a natural medicine for the well-being of citizens. Having green areas near home, such as parks or gardens, can help reduce stress and improve mood, as a study shows conducted by the University of Exeter. Furthermore, green areas help improve air quality and reduce pollution by absorbing harmful substances in the air.
Urban greenery also reduces noise pollution, enriches biodiversity, encourages physical activity through the creation of pedestrian and cycle paths and helps mitigate the effects of global warming by refreshing the city environment. The presence of parks and green areas also makes cities appear more welcoming and livable, increasing their attractiveness for tourists and increasing the value of properties. There is no doubt that the positive effects of greenery in the city are many and varied.
Green mobility and ecological roads
La sustainable mobility it is the beating heart of a green city. Ecological roads and natural paving become an integral part of the urban ecosystem and a real panacea for modern cities for several reasons:
- They reduce pollution: pavements made with recyclable and permeable materials help cities to breathe and combat urban heat islands, improving circulation and air quality.
- They increase biodiversity: ecological streets inserted in urban green contexts such as parks and botanical gardens can create new green spaces in the city and offer ideal habitats for local fauna and flora.
- They promote slow and sustainable mobility: natural roads and ecological pavements can offer a safe and pleasant environment for walking, cycling or using electric transport, helping to reduce polluting traffic.
Thanks to many years of experience in the sector, Terra Solida is the ideal partner for cities and administrations that wish to make cities greener and more sustainable. The choice of ecological and highly performing materials, such as stabilized land, to create play areas, cycle paths, rest areas and much more can revolutionize the way we experience cities. With Terra Solida sustainability becomes synonymous with beauty and functionality, thanks to the creation of unique projects for greener and more sustainable cities.
