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Revista Ingeniantes Año 2 No. 1 Vol. 1
Green cities
Collaborative Editor
By Alberto Gaytán
Professor William E. Rees, a scientist at the University Not only Europe is advancing in this issue, in our con-
of British Columbia, Canada, is one of the creators of tinent we have the remarkable case of Curitiba, Bra-
the Ecological footprint concept, an indicator that me- zil, the “greenest city in Latin America”, according to
asures the impact of hectares in the way we live and a study by the influential British magazine The Econo-
consume resources on the planet. This indicator has mist. According to the publication, this Latin American
become a useful tool for scientists, governments, ins- city is noted for its innovative ideas and environmental
titutions and businesses, allowing warning of the risks projects that have been implemented to improve the
entailed of over exploitation of natural resources. Re- environment and the surroundings in which its inhabi-
cently, Professor Rees has announced another interes- tants live.
ting proposal known as global “green cities”, which is The Economist notes that Curitiba won the title of
to convert the most advanced industrialized cities in the “green city” thanks to 40 years of work on environmen-
world into sustainable metropolis, clean and free from tal issues and its privileged geographical situation, since
contamination. from the six rivers that cross the city, its inhabitants only
In the last decades the ecological initiatives have be- use hydropower. This geographical advantage, in turn,
come important in some regions of the world, especia- results in lower emissions of carbon dioxide: 70 kilos
lly in the European Union (EU). For the governments of per person per year, when the average in Latin America
the 27 member countries of this political community, is 220 kilos per capita. Also Curtibia’s program “Garba-
where 80 percent of its population (400 million people) ge Purchase”, allows people to exchange their garba-
lives in urban centers, it represents an enormous cha- ge for bonds to buy food. This program allows the city
llenge to properly take advantage of urban spaces and to collect seven thousand tons of garbage a year.
natural resources remaining. As part of its policy and If Curitiba began working for the last forty years to
commitment against climate change, the EU decided reach the status or level of “green city”, then what are
to create the “European Green Capital” award, in order we waiting for in Veracruz to achieve our “green cities”.
to reward the efforts of European cities on environmen- Can you imagine our stately Misantla, newly renowned
tal issues. The cities that have received this honorable “Jewel of Veracruz” for its natural beauty and rich his-
award include: Stockholm in 2010, Hamburg in 2011, Vi- tory, transformed into a cleaner city, with streams that
toria-Gasteizen 2012 and Nantes 2013. The notice for do not contaminate it, sustainable, greener and more
2014 is already open, European cities of over 200,000 beautiful than it is now?, sounds good, right?
inhabitants can register. The evaluation committee will Well let’s get to work together, each from his trenches,
rate the performance of cities on environmental poli- so that our environmental authorities will catch up to
cies, transporttation, housing, land and water use, was- the challenges that this initiative demands and expedite
te management, waste and energy consumption that the process before the State legislature to the initiative
will improve the quality of life of its inhabitants and help “Green Cities” of Veracruz.
them to deal with the large environmental challenges Alberto Gaytan García, is the director of Technology
facing humanity such as climate change. of Misantla.
jalbertogaytangarcia@gmail.com
www.itsm.edu.mx
A/E R: 06-2015
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