Hamburg's ambitious green network addresses nature, climate resilience, sustainable transportation | Switchboard

Hamburg's green network (courtesy of Inhabitat)
The German city of Hamburg, the 2011 European Green Capital, has announced an ambitious plan to create and link an amazing 27 square miles of new and existing green space all over the city.  The result will be a city that puts nature within easier reach of every resident; becomes more resilient to flooding caused by global warming; and provides enough connectivity for walking and bicycling to become car-optional citywide in twenty years.
Angelika Fritsch, a spokeswoman for the city's department of urban planning and the environment, spoke to reporter Elisabeth Braw of the Guardian:
"[The plan] will connect parks, recreational areas, playgrounds, gardens and cemeteries through green paths.  Other cities, including London, have green rings, but the green network will be unique in covering an area from the outskirts to the city centre.  In 15 to 20 years you'll be able to explore the city exclusively on bike and foot."
In all, the green network will cover an impressive 40 percent of the city’s land area.

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