Valencia will become European Green Capital 2024
In one year’s time, Valencia will become European Green Capital 2024 thanks to its efforts to become a sustainable city. But what does this recognition mean for Valencia and for Valencians?
Valencia is the best city to live in. This is what Forbes magazine assures in its latest list of the 50 best cities in the world, and this is what a study carried out by InterNations assured in 2021.
The capital of Turia has many attractions: located next to the beach, with mild temperatures and more than 300 days of sunshine a year, it has excellent communications by land, sea and air, affordable prices, a high quality of life and a wide range of leisure, culture, restaurants and education.
In fact, in Valencia, there are different university campuses, both public and private, where it is possible to study scientific or humanistic subjects.
But Valencia is also a city that has recently opted for more sustainable development
Proof of this is that it will hold the title of European Green Capital in 2024, thus joining the exclusive club formed by other capitals such as Stockholm (Sweden), Hamburg (Germany), Vitoria, Nantes (France), Copenhagen (Denmark), Bristol (United Kingdom), Ljubljana (Slovenia), Essen (Germany), Nijmegen (Netherlands), Oslo (Norway), Lisbon (Portugal), Lahti (Finland), Grenoble (France) and Tallinn (Estonia).
As has happened with Valencia being World Design Capital in 2022, throughout 2024 Valencians will enjoy an extensive calendar of activities around sustainability, including workshops for all audiences, film festivals, exhibitions or local initiatives to reduce the carbon footprint in collaboration and in which companies, businesses and public entities will participate.
But why has our city received this prestigious award?
1. The Turia riverbed is the longest urban park in Europe. In total, it covers 120 hectares and is 12 kilometres long, connecting the City of Arts and Sciences with the Bioparc. In this large park, events and open-air activities are organised, and it is very common for Valencians to go there to do sports (running, cycling, skating, etc.).
2. Valencia is committed to protecting its green spaces. Among them, the Albufera Natural Park stands out, a unique wetland with rich biodiversity located very close to the capital.
3. Valencia’s streets and squares are safe and friendly for passers-by. Proof of this is that in recent years the city has been pedestrianised to make its historic centre more walkable and cleaner.
4. Our city is a model of urban sustainability and ecological transition and is becoming cleaner and less polluted every day.
5. If you come to Valencia to study Spanish, you can cycle practically everywhere: we have a network of more than 160 kilometres of cycle lanes, and we are one of the best cities for using this clean and beneficial means of transport for the environment and for your health.
6. Valencia is also a pioneer in the application of audits of the carbon and water footprint of tourism activity, which allows us to take the necessary measures and establish the necessary solutions to achieve carbon neutrality in the sector by 2025.
7. Thanks to new technologies and digitalisation, Valencia has become the Capital of Design and the Capital of Smart Tourism in 2022. Holding the green capital in 2024 will be a new challenge for a modern city willing to open up to the world.
Thinking of studying Spanish in Spain? Here are some other reasons to study Spanish in Valencia and to become a student at Taronja School.
