Mayor Bloomberg (left) with the Lord Mayor of Copenhagen, Frank Jensen, at City Hall Official photo, Office of the Mayor
The Lord Mayor of Copenhagen, Frank Jensen, visited San Francisco and New York this week. The agenda for the Lord Mayor’s visit was green solutions and sustainable urban development. In San Francisco, the Lord Mayor met with companies at the forefront of green technology and innovation.
In New York, the Lord Mayor met with Mayor Bloomberg. The Lord Mayor presented Copenhagen’s plan for how to become the world’s first carbon neutral capital by 2025. Among the topics for discussion were also adaptation to climate change and the C40 Climate Leadership network. The two cities will continue their collaboration and dialogue around taking leadership on the green agenda.
"Our city has made great progress in developing initiatives for a greener, greater New York," said Mayor Bloomberg. "Sharing ideas with large international cities with innovative sustainability agendas such as Copenhagen is a big part of our success and together we will continue to address the impacts of global climate change and strengthen how cities work toward those goals," said the Mayor of New York, Michael Bloomberg.
“I'm very happy that the mayor of New York has set a clear, green agenda to inspire other great cities around the world. It is precisely those cities that have the power to make investments and create jobs, while working to improve the environment and prevent new natural disasters,” said the Lord Mayor of Copenhagen, Frank Jensen.Adaption to climate change on the agenda after SandyAfter Hurricane Sandy hit New York late October 2012, Mayor Bloomberg has ordered an analysis of the New York’s preparedness, a plan for the reconstruction of the areas most affected as well as a plan for how the city might be better in adapting to climate change. In this process New York looks to cities such as Amsterdam, London and Copenhagen.
Mayor Bloomberg has proposed the establishment of wetlands, a new "green infrastructure" that can capture rainwater before it floods the coastal areas, a review of the public transport systems, expanded evacuation zones and a redrawing of the city's 100 years old map of areas at risk of flooding.
Copenhagen has also identified local areas at risk of flooding. In the summer of 2011, a torrential rain storm inundated Copenhagen with enormous quantities of rain water flooding cellars, streets and key roads. The City Council has adopted a climate change adaptation plan for the city and launched initiatives such as reinforcing dikes, planting trees and establishing green areas to keep the city cool during heat waves. More green areas and green rooftops also relieve the sewers from heavy rain.
Copenhagen Says: Green-up Your City! On January 9th, The Lord Mayor gave a presentation on Copenhagen’s green strategy at Center for Architecture in New York and took part in a panel discussing the opportunities and challenges for sustainable cities together with New York City Commissioner for Design and Construction, David J. Burney, Cleantech Director, Marianna Lubanski, Copenhagen Capacity, Partner, Partner Thomas Christoffersen, Bjarke Ingels Group and David Dyssegaard Kallick, Senior Fellow at the Fiscal Policy Institute.
The panel discussed the question of how to achieve both sustainability and economic growth; reducing CO2 emissions, while improving the quality of life and creating jobs and business opportunities throughout the entire economy.Copenhagen has developed its sustainable solutions to suit the demands of the city’s residents and businesses. They in turn have supported the political decisions and strategies created to address those issues.
The event “Green-up Your City” was moderated by Director of AIA’s New York Chapter Rick Bell and organized by the Center for Architecture and the Consulate General of Denmark, New York.
A Smarter CityThe City of Copenhagen has been chosen by IBM to be part of the “Smarter Cities Challenge” in 2013, where IBM top experts from different business units and geographies work closely together with the City’s leaders to address urban issues and deliver recommendations on how to make the city smarter and more effective. The Lord Mayor will meet with IBM in New York on this occasionFor press inquiries: Ulla DubgaardHead of Press and CommunicationsConsulate General of Denmark in New York+ 1 917 455 7279 / ulldub@um.dk
Rikke HoukjærCommunications ManagerCity of Copenhagen+ 45 2677 2295 / rih@okf.kk.dk