European Union's Vision for Sustainable Cities in Central Asia

Strategic Insights -

As the European Union's Commissioner for Environment, the EU emphasizes the importance of green technologies, sustainable development, and community-driven initiatives in shaping the future of cities in Central Asia. The EU's Global Gateway Strategy aims to partner with countries like Turkmenistan to promote resilient and climate-neutral systems. This vision is exemplified in the Conference on "The White City of Ashgabat," where the EU presents a comprehensive plan to promote green technologies, inclusive urban development, and community-driven initiatives.

Key Takeaways:

  • The EU views sustainable development as an essential engine for innovation, prosperity, and human dignity, and emphasizes the importance of green technologies in infrastructure and transport.
  • The EU's Global Gateway Strategy aims to partner with countries in Central Asia, including Turkmenistan, to promote resilient and climate-neutral systems.
  • The EU believes that cities should be designed with universal accessibility, safety, and dignity in mind, where everyone, including children, elderly persons, people with disabilities, animals, and pets, can move freely and safely.
  • Adaptation to climate change is crucial, and this can be achieved through better architecture, more trees, and more green spaces.
  • A study on European cities estimated that increasing tree coverage to 30% could lower average temperatures by 0.4°C, with a maximum effect of up to 5.9°C in some areas, potentially preventing thousands of heat-related premature deaths.
  • Cities should promote accessibility for everyone, including people with disabilities, and provide features like ramps, tactile paving, and accessible public transport.
  • Introducing and expanding public transport options, combined with safe and widespread bicycle lanes, can help reduce pollution and improve public health and the quality of urban life.
  • Cycling offers substantial environmental benefits, and studies have shown that a 25% expansion of cycling networks can result in over 10,000 premature deaths avoided annually.
  • Polish cities have implemented comprehensive Green Building Standards for municipal investments, prioritizing energy efficiency and green infrastructure.
  • The EU's Partnerships for Sustainable Cities program has empowered over 57 city-to-city projects globally, directly contributing to Sustainable Development Goal 11.
  • The EU's Global Gateway aims to promote sustainable infrastructure through initiatives like SECCA (Sustainable Energy Connectivity in Central Asia), which shares EU best practices in energy-efficient and green building design.

Statistics:

  • Doubling public transport usage globally by 2030 could cut urban transport emissions in half and reduce air pollution from transport by up to 45%.
  • Studies have shown that metros can cut population-related CO2 emissions by 50%.
  • Cycling in Copenhagen offers substantial environmental benefits: 47% of residents use bicycles for their daily commute, with an estimated 90,000 tons of CO2 prevented from being emitted each year.
  • Expanding cycling networks of 25% can result in over 10,000 premature deaths avoided annually.
  • The estimated stray dog population in Sofia, Bulgaria decreased from 11,124 in 2007 to 3,589 dogs in 2020.
  • The EU is developing new rules on the welfare and traceability of dogs and cats across the Union, aiming to harmonize standards for housing, care, and handling in breeding establishments, pet shops, and shelters.

Sources:

  • European Union External Action Service, Brussels.
  • SECCA (Sustainable Energy Connectivity in Central Asia) project.
  • The Partnerships for Sustainable Cities program.
  • The Global Gateway Strategy.
  • The Team Europe Initiative on Water, Energy, and Climate.
  • Estonia, Tallinn free public Wi-Fi.
  • Barcelona's free Wi-Fi network.
  • WiFi4EU (European Commission initiative).