Green Cities into practice

This chapter aims to explain how green economy principles can be applied to cities to make them green cities. Toward this aim the green economy concept is first described. Then a matrix is employed to characterize green practices that are connected with the green economy and are adopted in the urban environment. The matrix will draw upon a sample of best performing cities. This matrix is built upon two analytical dimensions: environmental focus and impact. Specifically, three types of environmental focus are considered: material, energy, and pollution; and three types of environmental impact are considered: less negative, neutral, and positive. The sample city is based upon the winning cities of the European Green Capital Award from 2010 to 2013 (Stockholm, Hamburg, Vitoria-Gasteiz, and Nantes). This chapter could be particularly useful for policy makers, since it offers structured examples of best practices to make cities green along green economy principles.