Egypt to build world’s first climate-positive, net-zero city
The new city, Nexgen, to be located east of Cairo, will produce more food and energy than it consumes.
Cities
This archive collects milestone stories where cities are the driving force behind positive change. From urban planning breakthroughs to local policy wins, these stories highlight how municipal governments, city agencies, and urban communities around the world are solving real problems.
Zurich begins to turn off natural gas networks
The current shutdown in Switzerland’s biggest city is due to be completed in 2024 with more areas of Zurich set to see the end of natural gas between now and 2040.
Quebec became the first jurisdiction in the world to explicitly ban oil and gas development in its territory
For two decades, citizens have mobilized against different oil and gas projects in Quebec, including shale gas in the St. Lawrence Valley and oil projects in Gaspésie.
Ultra-low emissions zone extended to all of London
Starting in 2023, anyone driving a vehicle with high tailpipe emissions within London city limits will have to pay the £12.50 a day.
Tokyo schools drop controversial dress code on hair and underwear color
Other rules being cut include the practice of punishing students with a form of house arrest, and ambiguous language in the guidelines on what is considered “typical of high school students.”
LA City Council votes unanimously to end urban oil drilling
This big win follows on the heels of similar recent phase-out votes by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and Culver City Council.
New York City votes to electrify new buildings, ban natural gas
The legislation, which Mayor Bill de Blasio is expected to sign, requires electricity-powered heat and hot water in most new buildings under seven stories by 2024 and all other buildings in 2027.
Dubai becomes world’s first paperless government, saves over 336 million papers
With the Dubai Paperless Strategy fully implemented, no employee or customer of the Dubai Government will need to print any paper documents or transactions, unless they personally prefer to do so.
New York City opens the U.S.’s first safe injection site
The sites, intended to reduce overdose deaths, will serve as a safe place for drug users to inject heroin and other drugs under the supervision of medical professionals.
Milan enacts groundbreaking strategy to cut food waste in half
Milan is the world’s first major city to enforce a citywide food waste policy, relying on the wide-ranging cooperation of public agencies, food banks, charities, NGOs, universities, and private businesses.