Green Successes.

Saving Art Cinemas

Tom Redford — Wed, 25 May 2011 13:19:37 +0000

Cuts to the budget for culture and the arts by the Mayor of Budapest threatened to force the closure of a unique network of art cinemas that had been serving the public of the capital for decades. Just as other cultural institutions such as museums and theatres, art cinemas are unable to rely on ticket sales alone, and depend on a public subsidy to finance their operation. Despite their cost, art cinemas clearly bring benefit to the public as an outlet for independent and artistic films.

The Mayor of Budapest (from Fidesz, the centre-right governing party in Hungary) planned to totally cut the city’s subsidy to art cinemas as part of his budget reforms. Local councillors from LMP aimed to save this unique and valuable network of cinemas, and ensure that the people of Budapest can continue to watch high quality European and Hungarian films. They engaged in close co-operation with cultural NGOs, started a media campaign, and brought a motion to the city council.

The Result

As a result of their work, the city council accepted that it needed to keep the cinema network alive, and voted in favour of keeping a 70 million Forint subsidy (approximately €260,000), while committing to explore the possibilities of continued financing and subsidies.

Advertising on Public Transport

Tom Redford — Wed, 25 May 2011 12:53:45 +0000

In Budapest, the advertising on vehicles and in public spaces controlled by BKV, the city-owned public transport company, is managed by a sub-contractor, which keeps most of the income from the adverts. With around 10,000 advertising spots, the city only receives an income of around €178,000 per month (50 million Forints).

Local councillors from LMP set out to strip the sub-contractor of this lucrative business contract, and use the income instead for the public good, either by managing the contracts better, or by giving some free advertising space to NGOs.

To achieve this, the councillors held a press conference to raise awareness of the problem, and entered into negotiations with committees of the city council. They also brought a motion on the topic to the council.

The Result

The motion was accepted by the city council. The project is ongoing.

Implemented by local councillors of LMP in Budapest.

Hearing the Population, Building the Future

Tom Redford — Tue, 24 May 2011 15:34:00 +0000

The main goal of this project is to cultivate direct contact between the municipality and the local population, organisations and others, and to collect information in order to find solutions to the problems that these groups face.

This project began in February 2010, with councillors, including the Mayor and Vice-Mayor (who is a green member) visiting all 8 of the local Freguesias in Setúbal (a Freguesia is a smaller administrative unit within a Portuguese municipality, the number of which can range between one and eighty-nine). During the visit, meetings took place with the local population, the elected members of the Freguesias, and local organisations. The visits allowed the municipality members to get in touch with the daily problems of the population.

There was a varied scope of problems raised at these meetings, such as: unfinished sewage or rain drainage by local constructors, a lack of trees in a public park, a school with a defective roof and a damaged bus stop. For each problem, the city council produced a brochure for each Freguesia, with a description of the problem, the solution, and its current status. The brochure details whether the problem has been already resolved, if it is in the process of being resolved, or anticipated future steps to resolve the problem.

The Result

The project cultivated good links between the members of city council, the population, and various local organisations; enabling these groups to more fully participate in the political life of their Municipality.

The project was well accepted by the local population, and has successfully compiled an exhaustive list of the main problems identified, which represents a basis of work for the city council to pursue in the future. This will help ensure sustainable development.

Implemented by the City Council of Setúbal, in a partnership between the Citizen Participation Office, and the local support office, both part of the City Council. Came into effect in February 2010.

Car-free Housing

Tom Redford — Tue, 24 May 2011 15:26:57 +0000

This car-free housing pilot project with 244 apartments was constructed for tenants who commit themselves contractually not to possess a car.

The space not used for cars (and the money saved) has been dedicated to common infrastructure, such as a bicycle repair shop, car-sharing services, a sauna, a fitness room, playgrounds for children, a youth room, roof gardens, etc.

There is an Austrian legal requirement for one parking space to be provided for each new flat built, and it was necessary for this law to be amended to allow exceptions. One condition for this exception is that there exists good public transport links nearby.

Christoph Chorherr, who was a green member of the City Government at the time, was instrumental in promoting the idea of car-free housing in Vienna, and pushed for the amendment to the law on parking spaces. He is still active in recruiting interested tenants and has a close association with the project.

Due to the special nature of this project, a community organisation has been set up by the tenants which has led to various common activities, resulting in a better communication between neighbours.

The Result

Based on the success of this project, a new car-free project has been announced, to be constructed near next to the Danube banks in Vienna’s 20th district, Brigittenau.

The experiences from this project helped to inform another housing project in Vienna, the so-called “bike-city”, which is customised to facilitate cycling as much as possible.

Energy 21

Tom Redford — Tue, 24 May 2011 15:17:56 +0000

The Project

The “Energy 21″ strategy was adopted by the Upper Austrian Government, in which the Greens are in coalition government, with the aim of producing all of the region’s electricity from renewables by 2030. The plan focuses on the following four areas: improving energy efficiency, increasing the use of renewable energy sources, utilising hydro power (up to ecologically defined limits) and reducing the use of fossil fuels. The action plan benefited from experience gained from the implementation of the first phase of Upper Austrian energy strategy, which ran from 1994 to 1999. 170 communities (out of 444) participated in the implementation of energy programmes.

The Result

More than 15,000 jobs have been created and eco-energy enterprises have increased turnover by 50% since the start of the financial crisis.

A recent report showed that the energy policy targets for the decade were met and in most cases even exceeded. Energy production from renewables increased by 16.6 PJ (the target was 10 PJ). Installed solar thermal collector surface area was more than doubled (from 489,000 m² to 1,080,000 m²), biomass heating installations more than doubled (from 773 MW to 2,031 MW), the share of electricity from renewables (excl. hydro power) was increased from about 1 % to 6.4 %.

The Green Party of Upper Austria has been represented in the regional government since 2003 and has signed a working agreement with the Christian Democrats (ÖVP). The success achieved during the government’s last term (2003-2009) speaks for itself. After decades of a surge in energy consumption, energy demand has been declining since 2006. The share of renewable energy sources in overall consumption had increased 32.6% by the end of 2008.

In an international comparison, Upper Austria ranks third in terms of solar panel surface per inhabitant (Cyprus and Israel come first and second in the ranking). The Greens were able to go into the election campaign of 2009 with a track record of success, and once again formed the Provincial Government in coalition with the ÖVP. The main aim moving forward is to continue the success of the energy strategy

A new policy for goods transport in Paris

Tom Redford — Tue, 24 May 2011 14:54:44 +0000

The Project

When taking charge of goods transport in Paris in 2001, Green politician, Denis Baupin, was tasked with improving the transit of 32 million tonnes of goods each year (90% by road, 7% by water and 3% by train).

A project was initiated to develop a comprehensive goods transport policy for Paris and its region: redefining goods transport in the city, and promoting alternatives to road transport in order to improve urban life and reach environmental goals.

Before the Greens became responsible for this aspect of Parisian public policy, very little action had taken place in the goods transportation sector. Little technical data had been collected on the sector, and very little was known about the impacts of road transport on the Parisian urban environment. However, the greens were able to tackle the political inertia and make real changes in this area, and the political steering work of Denis Baupin was crucial in this regard.

In regards to the transport of goods, restrictions were introduced which prevent either very large vehicles, or vehicles not conforming to a certain standard of fuel efficiency from using the city’s roads during peak periods. The city encouraged enterprise to sign up to a “charter of best practice”, which included a number of steps that firms could take to reduce air and noise pollution. The city also began consultation on developing alternative infrastructure to roads, such as inland waterways, rail and cycle lanes.

The Result

Driven by Denis Baupin, “La Petite Reine” project, which uses electrically-assisted tricycles to deliver packages weighing less than 30kg, has already saved 200 tonnes of CO2 emissions, and is steadily expanding. The company specialises in the delivery of small packages in densely urbanised areas, and benefits from increased manoeuvrability and lower energy costs.

Paris is currently working on opening a large waterway, which would link the capital city with the highly developed waterway network of northern Europe.

Implemented by: Denis Baupin, Deputy Mayor of Paris in charge of transport, traffic, parking and roads

Further information

Denis Baupin: www.denisbaupin.fr

Groupe Les Verts du Conseil de Paris: www.conseildeparis.lesverts.fr

Passive Houses-Push

Richard Rogers — Sun, 22 May 2011 23:42:10 +0000

Efficient use of energy instead of wasting energy is the essential principle in Frankfurt am Main. This strategy contributes to reach the Climate Alliance`s target of reducing the CO2 emissions by 50% until 2030. Known as city of banks, industry and the international airport Frankfurt am Main intends to become a “Green City” with its “Green Belt” in nature und landscape and its “Green Buildings”. Even with 15% more living space and 80% more office space since 1990 CO2 emission could be cut by 10%.

Europe´s capital city of passive houses

In passive houses you can enjoy silence with good air quality and 90% less energy consumption. Frankfurt am Main has more than 100.000 m2 dwellings, two schools, kindergartens – constructed as passive houses. The same principles have been realised in office buildings of some prominent banks. The energy demand of new and modernised bank buildings is 4-10 times lower. The City has launched the “Green Building Frankfurt” award for energy efficient and sustainable buildings.

Im Jahr 2007 wurde durch die Stadtverordneten beschlossen, dass neue städtische Gebäude nur noch als Passivhaus gebaut werden, da dies hohen Komfort des Innenraumklimas mit einer auf die Lebensdauer der Gebäude gesehenen Wirtschaftlichkeit verbindet. Ferner sind die Investoren beim Kauf städtischer Grundstücke zum Bau von Passivhäusern verpflichtet. Auch die Wohnungsbauförderung soll nur noch für die Passivhausbauweise gewährt werden. Man sieht – eine Idee bricht sich Bahn – schließlich sind Passivhäuser im Neubau und „fast-Passivhäuser“ in der Sanierung komfortabel, energiesparend und kosteneffizient. Mit steigenden Energiepreisen werden die Vorteile von Passivhäusern immer offensichtlicher. Für das Jahr 2010 ist ein Stand von über 120.000 Quadratmetern Gebäudefläche in PH-Bauweise mit über 1000 Wohneinheiten zu erwarten.

Contribution of the Greens

In year 1990 the Energiereferat (municipal energy agency) and the Climate Alliance have been created as an initiative of Tom Koenigs (green deputy mayor at that time). Dr. Manuela Rottmann is deputy mayor for environment and health since 2006. Her mayor initiative has been to set up a new energy and climate concept combined with an energy and CO2-balance. The plan has been developed with scientific studies and several meetings of a public forum within an European funded project (BELIEF). A main initiative of the Greens (in coalition with the conservatives) has been the decisions that new municipal buildings have to be constructed as passive houses.

Initiated by: Stadt Frankfurt am Main
Realisation: ongoing
Location: Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Contact:

DIE GRÜNEN IM RÖMER
Bethmannstraße 3
60431 Frankfurt am Main

Phone: 0049 69-9203478-0
Email: info@gruene-fraktion.frankfurt.de
Web: http://www.gruene-frankfurt.de/

Increasing the share of public transport in urban traffic

Richard Rogers — Sun, 22 May 2011 23:35:52 +0000

The Finnish system of local government differs from most European models in that there’s no government vs. opposition arrangement, but a proportional model in which all City Council groups (apart from the one-delegate groups) have representation in the City Board. This means that majorities have to be created separately for every major decision, and it is difficult to single one or another party out as the hero of the process.

One major achievement of the Helsinki Greens has been the break-up of the traditional post-war political set-up in which the Conservatives and the Social Democrats governed the City. Victory in the 1992 local elections made Greens one of the three big council groups, and debate opened up and brought new issues to the fore – i.e. sustainable development and, in particular, the promotion of public transport.

One ot the major Green successes in Helsinki is increasing the share of public transport in urban traffic. This has been a long effort involving a number of different measures from increasing the public subsidy of ticket prices to the extension of the rail network and giving public transport advantages in traffic control.

In 2008, the share of public transport in the morning rush hour into the inner city went up to 71,9 % from 70,4 % in the previous year, while the all-day share went from 62,7 % to 64,5 %. These represent a largest increase in many years and is a considerable achievement in the face of the continuing increase in the number of private cars.

From 1 May 2009, the Helsinki public transport fares will be cut the first time in decades, with the cut specially directed to value and period tickets. This is expected to further increase the share of public transport trips in the city. Major investments in public transport infrastructure include the largest extensions of the tram network since the 1930’s and the continuation of the Metro system to the neighbouring city of Espoo.

While all these Green successes have obviously required a majority in the City Council and cannot be attributed to the Greens only, they would not have happened without determined pressure from the Green Group both in the City decision-making bodies and in public debate. The fact that there is a Green Deputy Mayor responsible for public transport from 2003 and that the Public Transport Committee has been chaired by the Greens from the end of the 1980’s has also had an effect on the process.

Contact

GREENS OF HELSINKI
Pekka Sauri
Member of City Government
Maaria Haikarainen
Executive Director

Helsingin Vihreät ry
Fredrikinkatu 33 A, 3. krs.
00120 Helsinki
Finland

http://www.helsinginvihreat.fi/
maaria.haikarainen@vihreat.fi
phone +358-9/5860 4114
http://praha.zeleni.cz/123/rubrika/praha/

Heat pump is using heat from wastewater from the sewage network

Richard Rogers — Sun, 22 May 2011 23:24:25 +0000

In 2008 the pilot project of the heat pump was commissioned in the Primary Art School, Na Popelce 18, Prague 5. The heat pump is using heat from wastewater from the sewage network for heating of the building of this school.

The project of the new boiler was conceived with the intention of the installation of the heat pump system earth – water that will use heat of wastewater. Accordance with the calculations is the loss of heat of the whole building 96 kW (kilowatt). The heat pump can reach the output 50 kW under given conditions, it does not cover the whole heat loss and it is able to supply the building of the school with heat to the external temperature minus 1 degree C minimum. In relation to previous running were chosen as the additional resources the natural gas boilers again in this case. There is considered an installation of the similar system in the larger building to be able to manage the correct measurements under various conditions

Anti-Radar Campaign

Tom Redford — Mon, 16 May 2011 08:39:37 +0000

The aim of the campaign was to avert the signing of the treaty between the governments of Czech Republic and the USA concerning the construction of a strategic radar facility in the Czech Republic as a part of the US National Anti-missile Defence System.

The project was coordinated by Green Party members, the public association “STOP Bases”, The Movement Against Violence, and Czech Greenpeace.

There was a media campaign, supporting protests, and also a petition.

The lower house of the Czech Parliament did not approve the treaty, and after the change of Administration in the US, there was a policy shift and the project wasn’t realized.

Green Successes.

Saving Art Cinemas

The Result

Advertising on Public Transport

The Result

Hearing the Population, Building the Future

The Result

Further Reading

Car-free Housing

The Result

Further Reading

Energy 21

The Project

The Result

Further Reading

A new policy for goods transport in Paris

The Result

Further information

Passive Houses-Push

Europe´s capital city of passive houses

Contribution of the Greens

Further Reading

Contact:

Increasing the share of public transport in urban traffic

Contact

Heat pump is using heat from wastewater from the sewage network

Anti-Radar Campaign