Denmark's capital stands out as an international leader in sustainable development.
Strolling through Copenhagen's historic streets, visitors will encounter crowds of cheerful cyclists on their daily commute, bathers enjoying a dip in one of the many harbor baths, or just a breath of fresh air in one of the city's picturesque locations. Your eyes may be drawn to the residents who smoke. park.
Visitors immersed in the sights and sounds of the city may not notice the Google Street View cars driving around the city. The car is equipped with technologically advanced air quality measurement sensors that detect numerous particles such as black carbon (soot), fine particles, and particulates. Ultrafine particulate matter, carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide. Tucked away in the heart of the city, Copenhagen's Street Lab is a center for public-private partnerships and a living testing ground for cutting-edge smart and sustainable technologies.
Among the countless coffee shops and eateries that have brought Copenhagen international acclaim, important efforts are being carried out by academics and policy makers to make Copenhagen one of the most sustainable cities in the world. .
Recent reports have named Copenhagen one of the “coolest” cities to visit in the world, and since 2014 the city has been named “Europe's Green Capital” by the EU and “Most Liveable City” by Monocle. He has received countless honors, including being selected as
These awards were earned for a number of successful sustainable development initiatives, from advanced air quality measurement systems to the introduction of smart street lighting and the promotion of alternative modes of transport such as cycling.
Copenhagen is particularly notable for its commitment to cleaner air through Project Air View, a unique partnership between Google, university researchers, and local government. From 2018 to 2019, Google Street View cars equipped with air quality measurement technology developed by researchers at Utrecht University drove through the streets of Copenhagen, collecting information on air pollutants in the city.
Dr. Roel Vermeulen, professor of environmental epidemiology and exposome science at Utrecht University, said the project is a great opportunity to “map air pollution at an unprecedented resolution across a city using actual measurements at street level. It’s unique.” This wealth of data helps us better understand the causes of Copenhagen's air quality and what improvements can be made. ”
In the years since Project Air View, Copenhagen leaders and researchers have developed new programs and more advanced techniques to continue monitoring and improving air quality. Since 2016, the city has been working with private companies to develop small, portable measurement devices that can be moved quickly to monitor air conditions across Copenhagen. These devices and the data they collect play a critical role in informing policymakers' decisions and promoting legislation that reduces carbon emissions and advances clean air initiatives. came.
To reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality, Copenhagen's leaders found a solution through the development of a sustainable transportation system. The city has an advanced smart mobility network that combines cutting-edge technology with sustainable development goals to promote cleaner and healthier lifestyles for its residents. Bicycles are at the heart of Copenhagen's sustainable transport movement. The city has more bicycles than cars, forcing leaders to embrace cycling as a sustainable mode of transportation.
Since the early 2000s, city officials have worked to support bicycling through a variety of initiatives, including expanding bike lanes, establishing bike share programs, and improving bike safety. Copenhagen stands out internationally for its 'green wave' for cyclists, which, according to Dr Rumia Begum, means that 'cyclists who maintain a speed of 20km/h see only green lights throughout their commute'. “It's a program that adjusts the signal accordingly.” ” With increased safety measures and incentives to encourage the use of bicycles over car use, bicycles have become Copenhagen's primary mode of transportation and a key vehicle in the city's sustainable development program.
Another key element of Copenhagen's sustainability efforts is energy efficiency. The city, which plans to become completely carbon neutral by 2025, is using biomass central heating, solar and wind power, and smart streets to significantly reduce energy consumption and limit carbon emissions. We have been tackling energy issues by focusing on lighting. More than 98% of the city's households are connected to a central heating system, and the historic City Hall building has undergone renovations that have reduced total heating usage by 80%. More than 22,000 of his smart street lights have been installed across Copenhagen, with the ability to increase or decrease brightness based on bicycle and pedestrian traffic. Since installation, these street lights have reduced lighting costs by 76%.
In today's society, we face the difficult challenge of finding a balance between meeting human needs and reversing long-standing environmental burdens. While there may not be a one-size-fits-all solution, current efforts in cities like Copenhagen are establishing best practices that can be applied to urban centers around the world. There is no reason to wait, because through the example of Copenhagen we see that the key to achieving sustainability in urban municipalities may be as simple as riding a bicycle.
Christopher Marko (Guest Contributor)
Christopher J. Marco is a graduate student from Michigan State studying political science and public administration. He has presented his research at the Midwest Political Science and Pi Sigma Alpha Annual Conferences and currently researches sustainable development in urban municipalities around the world.