GREEN CITY is a European initiative. Its aim is to improve the quality of life in the cities by more public and private green spaces. Green spaces have a lot of positive effects – for example concerning the well-being of people, the social co-existence in the society and the environment. These positive impacts are reflected in economical, ecological, and sociocultural values. GREEN CITY is an answer to the current challenges concerning a sustainable city development.
The initiative GREEN CITY was set up in 2002 by Plant Publicity Holland on the occasion of the International Horticultural Expo Floriade in the Netherlands. In the following years, similar forums have developed in different European countries with different denominations:
De Groene Stad in the Netherlands,
Cité Verte in France,
Stiftung Die Grüne Stadt in Germany,
Green City Hungary,
Green City Italia and
UK Green Forum.
On 26 October 2009 the ELCA has signed an agreement in Strasbourg together with the the representatives of the forums „De Groene Stad“ in the Netherlands, „Die Grüne Stadt“ in Germany, „Green City“ in Great Britain, „Cité Verte“ in France and „Green City“ in Italy. Primarily it has the aim of closer cooperation and an exchange of experiences between the countries.
The signatories agree to share ideas and information concerning the promotion of “Green City” philosophy. Every cooperation partner pledges to inform the other partners about their national activities and make the results available. This way the coherence of the partnership “Green City” as well as everyone being able to learn and profit from each other shall be guaranteed at European level. To ensure this an annual meeting under the patronage of the ELCA is planned – rotating in the countries of the partners.