The effects of climate change are worsening yearly, and 56% of the world’s population which inhabit cities are subject to the most severe impacts, such as extreme heat and air pollution (1). The negative effects of climate change more severely impact the most vulnerable, including women and girls and lower income areas. Research shows that inhabitants of green cities are less impacted by climate change than other city dwellers, due to the increased number of parks, trails and green buildings that green cities boast. The green spaces and plant life introduced into urban areas through community gardens, green roofs, and green buildings are shown to help decrease air pollution, help decrease flooding and water runoff-related damage, decrease extreme heat by providing shade, and improve mental and physical health as well as life expectancy. 

Green cities provide a promising opportunity to improve quality of life in Canada. In total, 73.7% of Canadians live in a Census Metropolitan Area (CMA, an urban area with over 100,000 inhabitants) with dramatic population growth in downtown urban areas occurring from 2016-2019 (2). As a nation, Canada boasts abundant natural resources, allowing incorporation of parks and other green spaces into urban planning. Another defining hallmark of green cities is alternate transportation such as electric buses and bike paths, which in turn increases inhabitants’ activity, lowering health risks such as heart and lung problems.

In July of 2023, Canadian cities were ranked according to which were the greenest, healthiest places to inhabit, with Kelowna, British Columbia coming out on top (3). On the shores of Lake Okanagan, Kelowna is home to numerous hiking trails, bike paths, and maintains 1,111 hectares of green space. The active, clean lifestyle that the city encourages has been a success among its 150,000 inhabitants (4), with a 2022 Citizen Survey showing that 90% of inhabitants enjoy good quality of life, and 81% feeling safe and accepted in their community (5).

Another city taking the lead in sustainability is Montreal, Quebec, which has introduced a 184-kilometre network of bike paths since 2017, with plans for 200 km more, and increased plant life along paths, with 160 trees planted in 1 km of path alone along Avenue des Pins (6). The administration of Mayor Valerie Plante also closes 10 streets to automobiles every year, a move prompted by the death of an 18-year-old cyclist who was involved in a crash caused by a driver making an illegal U-turn. These efforts have not been in vain, with research showing a 20% upswing in cycling citywide (7).

With climate change on the rise, it is crucial we develop spaces that can adapt to, and help mitigate these newfound effects, sustainably utilizing natural resources to create greener, healthier and happier cities with a better quality of life. Only a sympathetic, nature-based approach will unleash the full potential of green cities, combined with sustainable technology to redefine the modern urban environment.

Sources:

1. Urban Development. Apr 03,2023. The World Bank

https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/urbandevelopment/overview

2. Canada's large urban centres continue to grow and spread. 2022-02-09. Statistics Canada

https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/220209/dq220209b-eng.htm

3. Canada's 'greenest' cities ranked in new study. July 20, 2023. CTV News

https://www.ctvnews.ca/climate-and-environment/canada-s-greenest-cities-ranked-in-new-study-1.6487578

4. City Profile. 2023. City of Kelowna

https://www.kelowna.ca/our-community/about-kelowna/city-profile

5. Citizen Survey. 2023. City of Kelowna

https://www.kelowna.ca/our-community/about-kelowna/citizen-survey

6. Revitalization of Avenue des Pins. 2023. Montreal

https://montreal.ca/en/news/revitalization-avenue-des-pins-60277

7. Montreal’s Mayor Reclaims a Famous Road From Cars and Trucks. 2023. Canada Letter, The New York Times.

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/16/world/canada/montreal-valerie-plante-cycling.html

Photo Credit: View of Montreal skyline from Mount Royal Park by F. Brown