Vitoria-Gasteiz named as winner of the European Green Capital Award for 2012
Sustainable Mobility and Urban Planning policies reward the MODERN partner as the European Green Capital 2012. Spanish regional capital Vitoria-Gasteiz and the French city of Nantes have been named as winners of the European Green Capital award for 2012 and 2013. The European Commission's award scheme encourages cities to improve the quality of urban life by systematically taking the environment into account in urban planning. The awards were presented by EU Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik at a ceremony on 21 October in Stockholm, European Green Capital for 2010.
Commissioner Potočnik said: I congratulate Vitoria-Gasteiz and Nantes on the work they have put in to improve the environment and quality of life for their citizens. Cities are the places where most Europeans see environment policy in action; and where environmental decisions matter. Many have big ecological footprints. The Green Capital Award is a showcase for the kind of urban commitment and innovation which will help them, and others, prosper well into the future.The Sustainable Mobility Plan and Public Space Plan and its programmes to develop bicycle and pedestrian mobility and the improvement of public spaces, among others, are some of the most outstanding environmental projects, for which, Vitoria-Gasteiz, a member of MODERN, has been named European Green Capital 2012.Mercedes Bresso, President of the Committee of the Regions said: European Green Capitals are the flagships of a wider fleet of local community leaders and citizens committed to improving the quality of urban life. The green redesign of our cities is triggering sustainable development at the global level, so mobilising citizens and twinning Green Capitals across continents should therefore be our priorities”. Further details on the European Green Capital Award at www.europeangreencapital.eu
Author: Juan Carlos Escudero
