26 Jun | News
Cooling by Nature: An Urban Greening Award
Read more
With cities swelling and temperatures rising, the world urgently needs more urban
cooling solutions. That’s why this year’s Ashden Awards feature an urban cooling Award, sponsored by Climateworks K-CEP, for the very first time. The Punggol and Medellin schemes are
on the longlist, along with a landscaping for urban spaces and high-rises
project run by Singapore’s urban redevelopment authority, and a public space
greening programme in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa.
Sustainable transport
Waterways can tackle a host of urban sustainability challenges beyond dangerous
heat. One is air pollution, which causes 1 in 9 deaths worldwide. Fumes from
cars and other vehicles are a major factor, and residents of our crowded cities
are most at risk.
Waterways support vegetation that cleans the air – but they are also an ideal
place for planners to introduce new footpaths and bike tracks, helping people
swap polluting cars for cleaner transport. Paths and cycle lanes run alongside
Medellin’s waterways – while the Punggol development includes a 9km coastal
promenade, as well as generous walking space along the side of the waterway
itself.
We look forward to announcing our first urban cooling winner at the 2019 Ashden Awards on July 3. Forwards-thinking innovators, like those on our longlist, can help turn a trickle of bright ideas into a flood.