Freiburg, Germany

• Pedestrianising shopping areas in city centres

  • Can reduce congestion and make roads safer for pedestrians
• Freiburg is a city in south-west Germany with a population of 230,000
• The government set the goal of increasing the city's social, economic and environmental sustainability

  1970s
• The government wants to be 100% powered by renewable energy

  2035
• Economic Sustainability


  Strategies that enable long-term economic growth without having a negative effect on the environment
• Sustainable projects


  • Solar panels
• The implementation of sustainable projects has created over 10,000 jobs across 1,500 environmental businesses
• Freiburg hosts sustainability conferences which bring people to the city and creates revenue for local businesses
• Social Sustainability


  Strategies that incorporate and benefit the whole community
• Residents and the government collaborate on policies and developments
• Residents invest in community-owned schemes
• Environmental Sustainability


  Strategies, developments and lifestyle choices that protect the environment
• 150,000 m² of solar cells and panels generate 10 million kilowatt hours (kWh) per year
• 42% of the city is forested. Two-thirds of land in Freiburg is protected and devoted to green uses. 44,000 trees have been planted to improve air quality and support wildlife
• Over 69% of packaging is recycled
• Residents receive financial rewards for composting and using textile nappies
• Bioenergy is produced from organic waste, wood and forestry by-products
• A large tram network connects the city reducing the need for cars
• There are a limited number of resident parking spaces on the city's outer regions that can cost up to £20,000. This is to encourage cycling and walking over driving
• The city has over 400 km of cycle paths and 9,000 bicycle parking spaces