Last Updated on January 9, 2021
8. Curitiba, Brazil
Four pillars place Curitiba among the 10 main sustainable cities in the world: the Bus Rapid Transit System, a large expanse of green spaces with millions of trees and dozens of parks, recycling 70% of the waste produced in the city, and an education policy dedicated to the theme. BRT is a transport system that mixes buses with trains and guarantees express lanes on the city streets for these vehicles. Boarding is fast, and the ticket is cheap. Added to them is a good space for pedestrians and a good cycle network. Thus, the city stops emitting a considerable amount of CO2.
9. Montevideo, Uruguay
This must be the least known case of a sustainable city. Montevideo is the center of Uruguay’s ecological policies, with more than 97% of its electricity, from renewable sources, such as hydroelectric and wind farms. Carrasco Airport was the first in the region to generate clean and proprietary energy. Besides being considered the city with the best quality of life in Latin America, it intends to modernize and improve the transport system, focusing on its digital transformation and electrification, as implement an exclusive network of fast bus lanes.
10. Ljubljana, Slovenia
Ljubljana was the Green Capital of Europe in 2016 thanks to the urban transformation it underwent in the previous 15 years. Before it was cars that dominated the most used means of transport, now the priority is public transport, bicycles, and pedestrians. This is one of the sustainable cities with the greatest potential because it not only preserves and protects a good part of its green areas but also revitalizes underutilized spaces. Also, the Slovenian capital has reduced its waste by 95%. Incredible, isn’t it? These cities are proof that sustainability is not limited to a beautiful speech but is expressed by a set of agendas and public policies that count on the cooperation of all: citizens, governments, and companies. The 3 pillars of sustainability must be considered when assessing the cities’ commitment to the preservation of the planet. Therefore, all sustainable cities must guarantee economic viability, environmental protection, and social equity. So, be relieved if you are a tourist looking for eco-friendly destinations to visit because you want to align your ideas with your practice. Here you have several to try your way.
