ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Environment → Green Living

Hamburg wants to become a car-free city in 20 years

Tibi PuiubyTibi Puiu
January 9, 2014 - Updated on February 12, 2014
in Environment, Green Living, Renewable Energy
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterSubmit to Reddit

hamburg_green_city

One of the most beautiful cities in Europe, Hamburg has embarked on an ambitious plan that aims to promote cycling and walking as the main means of transportation throughout the huge hub.  The local administration claims that within 15-20 years the city would have completed its green network that virtually connects any part of the city. Even animal inhabitants will benefit, as any critter that chooses to move through the network will be safe from being ran over.

Hamburg is already one of the most greenest cities in Europe. About  40% of the city’s surface is made up of green areas, cemeteries, sports facilities, gardens, parks and squares. The city is comprised of two major green hubs, one north and the other south. By completing a green network, all residents can enjoy access to nature and a sustainable commute.

A park in Hamburg. © Martin at Sea, Flickr
A park in Hamburg. © Martin at Sea, Flickr

“Hamburg has always been a green city with lots of parks”, notes Jens Kerstan, leader of the Green Party in Hamburg’s state parliament for the Guardian. “The green network makes sense from a climate change adaptation perspective, especially since our residents are quite progressive when it comes to climate change adaptation. Many Hamburgers are willing to give up their cars, which is very unusual in Germany.”

Residents of Hamburg are particularly aware of global warming and how it affect their lives in the future. Median temperatures of the past 60 years have risen to 9 degrees Celsius, marking a change of 1.2 degrees Celsius. A bristling port city, Hamburg relies a lot on its North Sea trade routes. Sea level has risen by 20 centimetres over the past 60 years, and they’re expected to jump by another 30 to 110 centimetres by 2100.

Besides curving their emissions and making their own contributions to dimming global warming, the administration also has their residents’ health in mind.  Given that residents – especially children, the elderly and the ill – will suffer when temperatures rise, making the city climate as comfortable as possible is “very important in order to provide quality of life for our residents looking ahead to 2050”.

Hamburg “envisions a network that doesn’t just help residents get from point A to point B in a sustainable fashion,” with city spokesperson Angelika Fritsch adding “It will offer people opportunities to hike, swim, do water sports, enjoy picnics and restaurants, experience calm and watch nature and wildlife right in the city. That reduces the need to take the car for weekend outings outside the city.”

There’s a growing trend that sees big metropolitan centers in Europe trying to curve their emissions. The best example is Copenhagen, which is building 26 bicycle “superhighways,” that extend out from the city center as part of the city’s goal to become carbon neutral by 2050.

source: Guardian

RelatedPosts

Archaeologists discover Germany’s oldest known library
How Germany sees an eventual relaxing of the lockdown
Bronze Age Priestess Traveled Huge Distances
Germany gets record 31% of its energy from renewables in first half of 2014
Tags: germanyHamburg

ShareTweetShare
Tibi Puiu

Tibi Puiu

Tibi is a science journalist and co-founder of ZME Science. He writes mainly about emerging tech, physics, climate, and space. In his spare time, Tibi likes to make weird music on his computer and groom felines. He has a B.Sc in mechanical engineering and an M.Sc in renewable energy systems.

Related Posts

Climate

Germany could restart coal plants if Russian gas is cut

byFermin Koop
3 years ago
Climate

The current rate of climate change will see Germany’s groundwater levels fall “significantly” by 2100

byAlexandru Micu
3 years ago
Climate

German top court hands climate advocates important win

byFermin Koop
4 years ago
Archaeology

Huge stash of abused Iron Age weapons discovered in a German hill fort

byAlexandru Micu
4 years ago

Recent news

The Worm That Outsourced Locomotion to Its (Many) Butts

May 16, 2025

The unusual world of Roman Collegia — or how to start a company in Ancient Rome

May 16, 2025
Merton College, University of Oxford. Located in Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, UK. Original public domain image from Wikimedia Commons

For over 500 years, Oxford graduates pledged to hate Henry Symeonis. So, who is he?

May 16, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • How we review products
  • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Science News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Space
  • Future
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Physics
      • Matter and Energy
      • Quantum Mechanics
      • Thermodynamics
    • Chemistry
      • Periodic Table
      • Applied Chemistry
      • Materials
      • Physical Chemistry
    • Biology
      • Anatomy
      • Biochemistry
      • Ecology
      • Genetics
      • Microbiology
      • Plants and Fungi
    • Geology and Paleontology
      • Planet Earth
      • Earth Dynamics
      • Rocks and Minerals
      • Volcanoes
      • Dinosaurs
      • Fossils
    • Animals
      • Mammals
      • Birds
      • Fish
      • Amphibians
      • Reptiles
      • Invertebrates
      • Pets
      • Conservation
      • Animal facts
    • Climate and Weather
      • Climate change
      • Weather and atmosphere
    • Health
      • Drugs
      • Diseases and Conditions
      • Human Body
      • Mind and Brain
      • Food and Nutrition
      • Wellness
    • History and Humanities
      • Anthropology
      • Archaeology
      • History
      • Economics
      • People
      • Sociology
    • Space & Astronomy
      • The Solar System
      • Sun
      • The Moon
      • Planets
      • Asteroids, meteors & comets
      • Astronomy
      • Astrophysics
      • Cosmology
      • Exoplanets & Alien Life
      • Spaceflight and Exploration
    • Technology
      • Computer Science & IT
      • Engineering
      • Inventions
      • Sustainability
      • Renewable Energy
      • Green Living
    • Culture
    • Resources
  • Videos
  • Reviews
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Editorial policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.