Sustainable Cities: Role of the Citizen

5 gestures to help your city become more sustainable

Cities are no longer synonymous with traffic, pollution and little human contact, yet there is always more to be done in order to improve our quality of life and that of our community. The pandemic has simply emphasized a need we already had - to change our lives, improve the environment, and pay more attention to the people around us.

Follow our tips and make your life and your community or city more sustainable with these small gestures.

Now or Never

Join a community gardenIf you have some land at home, take the opportunity to create your own vegetable garden. But if that is not the case, there are other solutions for you: sign up for a community garden. You will be able to grow your own vegetables and some fruits, meet other people, and exchange knowledge, experiences, and produce. Moreover, many community gardens offer training and technical support. Did you know that Lisbon has some 800 individual community garden plots, while Porto has more than 500? Follow the example of the protagonists of our web series and get your hands in the dirt.
Exercise your legsWhenever possible, walk on foot. This will not only protect the environment, but improve your health as well. If the distance is too long to walk, grab a bike. With more and more bike paths winding through the cities and connecting residential hubs to business and recreational areas, bikes (whether electric or traditional, your own or shared) are becoming an increasingly attractive means of transport. If you think a bicycle is not the right choice for you because you usually carry a lot of weight or have small children, it is important to point out that there various kinds of freight bikes - usually electric - which are perfect for such cases. And there are municipal or state programs that will help you with the investment.
Opt for an electric vehicleIf a car is something you cannot live without, you can opt for a more sustainable option and go for one of the numerous shared solutions that are available out there, especially in large cities. If you really need your own vehicle, opt for an electric one. All major brands are currently developing models for all kinds of budgets and families, and with increasing range. Compared to a petrol or diesel car, it may take some time to recover the investment, but the ROI is guaranteed - especially if you can access the 'green benefits' available in some countries. As for the environmental benefits, they are immediate. And since we are talking about electric mobility, take a look at your home and consider electrifying your consumption.
Become an active 'neighbor'Sustainability is also a matter of good neighborliness, of integrating everyone in the place where we live - sometimes with such simple decisions as supporting local shops in our area. Moreover, there are numerous social media pages and groups bringing together the residents of a neighborhood, a street, a square, a shared place. They share experiences, call attention to specific problems, ask for or offer help, publicize local initiatives, and promote the donation or bartering of products. Regional authorities themselves pay increasing attention to these groups of 'anonymous' citizens and solve small problems reported there. The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the importance of this proximity, with younger and less vulnerable neighbors providing assistance to older neighbors who are at a higher risk of contracting the disease.
Fight urban wasteUrban waste is one of the major problems of a consumption-hungry society. Our everyday choices can minimize this impact. Avoid packaged products if you can buy them loose, use reusable bags, segregate your garbage properly for recycling, and try composting. Whether at home or outside, community composters - which are now available in many locations - turn your vegetable, fruit and garden plant waste into an excellent natural fertilizer.

Take the right path, towards a more sustainable life. Do we count on you to continue making a difference? Now or NeverFind out more here

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5 gestures to help your city become more sustainable