How can a city become sustainable?

Sustainable economy

Responsible management of our finite resources requires that cities also follow sustainable economic operations. Reducing environmental pollution and shortening transportation and travel distances contributes to reducing our ecological footprint. We can reduce the environmental pollution caused by transportation by supporting local producers and seasonal eating, which we discussed in more detail in an earlier article.

Another good example of sustainable economy is community farming, which not only reduces the ecological footprint of food but also creates an urban community that can reduce alienation and improve people's quality of life. Finally, we can do a lot for sustainable economy if we properly value the food we produce. Munch serves this purpose, making food supply efficient and sustainable in an urban environment. In just over a year, we have managed to protect our environment from 185 tons of CO2.

Eco-friendly energy

The principle of eco-friendly energy use must be implemented equally at global and local levels, in the residential, business, and public sectors. One form of this is the use of renewable energy sources, which, although increasingly common in Western European countries, is still in its infancy here.

The use of eco-friendly energy and urban planning can be greatly helped if we already consider sustainability aspects during construction. Such considerations include automatic solar panel installation, the use of eco-friendly building materials, and the installation of green walls, which, in addition to vertically increasing the green areas of cities, also aesthetically contribute to the urban landscape.

Waste management is also part of cities' energy use, as enormous amounts of energy are needed to transport and process waste. Part of the solution can be implemented by consumers and companies through reducing waste generation. In an earlier article, we compiled alternative packaging options that could permanently replace single-use plastics.

Sustainable urban environment

One of the fundamental tasks of the aforementioned smart urban planning is the efficient use of available space. It is very difficult to rethink an already existing cityscape with a "green" perspective, as you cannot simply add a bike path to every street or equip every building with renewable energy. Transforming the existing cityscape requires creativity and innovation. In addition to creating vertical and rooftop gardens, rainwater collection and use, community gardens, and mitigating the urban heat island effect are among the challenges.

Green mobility

Transportation plays a key role in creating a livable city, as it is one of the largest sources of CO2 emissions. For comparison, car and bus transportation globally accounts for roughly the same amount of greenhouse gas emissions as food waste (8% of total emissions).

Today there are urban management and civil initiatives that promote cycling or shared mobility, but in Eastern Europe this has not yet spread sufficiently. The goal is to create a transport culture where different modes of transportation complement each other, so that not only the environment is freed from the burden caused by cars, public transport vehicles, and other mobility devices, but we can also benefit our own wallets, without having to make significant compromises in terms of comfort or speed.

PLANET Sustainability Expo and World Summit

Planet Budapest 2021 is the largest sustainability exhibition, which will be held in Budapest between November 29 and December 5. The expo organized by the Visegrád countries aims to draw public attention to environmental, social, and economic problems, and to demonstrate that these negative changes casting a shadow over humanity's future can still be reversed.

During the week, there will be professional programs, workshops for young people, lectures on V4 innovations, and educational leisure activities. Additionally, you can also meet with Munch and other participants of the "SAVE IT, USE IT AGAIN" project.

You can register for the expo using the button below for free tickets!

Register!