Freiburg

• Water Conservation

  Freiburg's water system allows rainwater to be retained, reused, or to seep back into the ground. This involves: collecting rainwater for use indoors, green roots, unpaved tramways, and pervious pavements that allow rain water to soak through.
• Social Planning

  Local people are involved in urban planning at both local and city wide level. They can invest in energy resources or compost their green waste or use textile nappies for financial incentives such as money, or term-long sports tickets.
• How has Freiburg reduced landfill?

  Reducing annual waste disposal from 140,000 to 50,000 tonnes over 12 years.

  Providing enough energy for 28,000 homes from burning non-recyclable waste.

  Building a biogas digest for organic foods.

  Recycling more than 88% of packaging waste.

  Recycled >1 million corks every year
• Creating Green Spaces

  Green spaces help keep the air clean, provide a natural and free recreational resource, and provide a habitat for wildlife.

  • 40% of the city is forested
  • Only native trees and shrubs are planted within 600 hectares of parks
  • 44,000 trees have been planted in parks and streets
  • The River Dreisam is not managed, and provides a natural habitat
  • In the Riselfeld District, only 78 out of 240 hectares are built on
• Reducing Traffic Congestion

  • Freiburg has an ITS using a tram and bus network, providing cheap and accessible public transport.
  • 400Km of cycle paths with 9,000 bike parking spaces
  • In Vauban District, a car parking space costs 20,000
  • 70% of the population live within 500m of a tram spot
  • Park and Ride systems on back of tram for bikes
  • Low fares allow unlimited travel
  • All new homes must be built within 500m of a tram station which comes every 8 minutes.
• Where is Freiburg?

  • South Western Germany
  • Picturesquely situated on the western slopes of the Black Forest
  • Where the Dreisam River flows into the Rhine Valley
• How is an ITS set up in Singapore?

  • 45% less traffic and 25% less accidents
  • High Petrol Prices
  • Restricted entry to the city during rush hour
  • Financial Incentives to only use cars on weekends
  • Development of an overhead railway system
• How is an ITS set up in Beijing?

  • Expansion of the Public Transport System
  • Cars are banned from city for 1 day per week
  • Congestion charge and Pollution Tax
  • 20% drop in car use and 12% drop in car park use
  • Only 20% of those applying to have a car get one
• Energy Conservation

  • Freiburg has a strict energy policy based on: energy saving, efficient technology, and use of renewable energy resources.       
  •   Freiburg is one of the sunniest cities in Germany, so utilise solar panels, with about 400 installations in the city.
  • The largest proportion of Freiburg's renewable energy, however, comes from biomass, using waste wood and rapeseed oil, producing enough energy to heat their 3 swimming pools!
  • 10,000 people are employed in 1,500 environmental businesses in the city, leading to more research and manufacturing within the solar energy sector.