Infographic Evaluates the World's Greenest Cities

An informative, detailed, and attractive infographic from the vacation rental website HouseTrip compares the environmental credentials of London, New York, Vancouver, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, and Stockholm, across a range of categories.

1 minute read

October 21, 2012, 7:00 AM PDT

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


Ariel Schwartz looks at how six leaders in sustainability stack up according to the metrics identified in the infographic shared by HouseTrip. Although no clear winner is declared from among the six cities evaluated, "[i]n each of these cities, there are notable statistics worth mentioning," says Schwartz.

"Amsterdam has one bike for every 0.73 people, Copenhagen has legislation
requiring all new buildings to have green roofs (this will add 5,000
square meters of vegetation), and only 44% of New Yorkers own a car,
compared to 95% of Americans overall...New York has the highest carbon emissions per person (8.6 tons), but
it's still significantly lower than the U.S. average of 14.5 tons.
European cities are on average more carbon-conscious; they average 5.2
tons per person. London, Copenhagen, and Amsterdam all exceed that
average, while Stockholm emits just 3.62 tons per person."

Wednesday, October 17, 2012 in Fast Company Co.Exist

courses user

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges. Corey D, Transportation Planner

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges.

Corey D, Transportation Planner

Ready to give your planning career a boost?

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

Seattle Legalizes Co-Living

A new state law requires all Washington cities to allow co-living facilities in areas zoned for multifamily housing.

December 1, 2024 - Smart Cities Dive

SunRail passenger train at platform in Poinciana, Florida.

Central Florida’s SunRail Plans Major Expansion

The expanded train line will connect more destinations to the international airport and other important destinations.

November 24, 2024 - Hoodline

Times Square in New York City empty during the Covid-19 pandemic.

NYC Officials Announce Broadway Pedestrianization Project

Two blocks of the marquee street will become mostly car-free public spaces.

December 1, 2024 - StreetsBlog NYC

Close-up of hand holding small white square thermoelectric generator in lab with computer in background.

Harnessing Waste Heat Through Thermoelectricity

Heat from industrial installations and buildings can be captured to create renewable electricity.

December 3 - Fast Company

Empty street and high-rise buildings in downtown Chicago, Illinois during COvid-19 pandemic.

Major US Cities Still Suffering Downtown Decline

Research shows that the “donut effect” hollowing out central business districts since the pandemic continues to cause economic decline in the 12 largest American cities.

December 3 - Stanford University News

Red City of Terre Haute small transit bus in Terre Haute, Indiana.

Terre Haute Transit Goes Fare-Free

Buses in the Indiana city will be free as of January 2.

December 3 - Indiana Public Media

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.