The EU just awarded two cities for the European Green Capital of the Year. The 2010 winner and host city will be Stockholm and in 2011 will by Hamburg. Other finalists were: Amsterdam, Bristol, Munster and Oslo amongst others. I think this is a great scheme that is ready to promote the environment and make the world more green blah blah blah, I cant help but see that there is an evident EU north/south divide with all the candidates coming from north Europe. Now in their defence I know they are cleaner and tidier up there – but still I can’t feel that something is amiss with this. Why only north EU cities and should they try and encourage cities (rather than national governments) to become greener?
The site lists these are information: Required size of cities
All cities from the countries listed above which have more than 200,000 inhabitants can apply for the award. In this context, "city" is understood as an administrative unit governed by a city council. However, in order not to exclude any European country from competing for the European Green Capital Award, it has been decided to make an exception for countries which do not have a city with more than 200,000 inhabitants. In these - but only these - countries, the largest city will be eligible to participate.
In that case only Nicosia could apply (and Limassol perhaps only just). But lets be honest, my desolate balcony is greener than the whole of Nicosia! Which is a shame as NiCoSia (NCS) has good green areas and many inner city parks; the Linear Park, Athalassa (No Sea) Park for example. If only the EU had an award for best clubbing city then Ayia Napa would win hands down year after year!
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