City Introduction & Context Indicator Units Year of data Population 547733 Inhabitants 2011 Area 84.9 km 2 2014 Population Density 5090 Inh/km 2 2014 GDP 22800 /Capita 2014 Köppen climate classification Csa Lisbon is a Southern European City, inspired by Atlantic winds, where dust from the Sahara and Mediterranean hover in the atmosphere, with near tropical rains in autumn and winter and drought and searing heat in summer. Lisbon has a unique set of tones: blue reflected from the sky and river; white from the light. And increasingly green, from the city itself. As Portugal s Capital City, Lisbon is the home of government, it s major businesses and universities. It is an ancient city created as a commercial harbour around 1200 B.C. by the Phoenicians, growing with the Romans, the Arabs, and with Europeans coming from the North. A history that left marks, routines, and habits that are not easily changed. Figure 1 Traditional yellow tram continues to be used for daily commuting
However, this Southern Port city, facing a severe financial crisis over the last decade has managed to turn itself around against all odds, achieving remarkable green growth in every indicator, with some very impressive records. Lisbon is a city strongly committed to climate goals, being the first capital in Europe to sign the New CoM for Climate and Energy after achieving 50% reductions in CO2 emissions (2002-14), 23% in energy consumption and 17% in water consumption in the municipality (2007-13). Lisbon now has one of the world s largest electric vehicle charging point networks with 540 plugs citywide and one third of the municipal car fleet is electric. 100% of the traffic lights in the city are running with LED technology in a recent efficiency transformation. Lisbon is the European capital with most hours of sunlight, and one of the few with its own Solar Map, an increasingly viable and valuable source of clean energy. Lisbon was awarded the prize for European Entrepreneurship Region (EER 2015), is hosting Web Summit 2018, the European Climate Change Adaptation Congress 2019 and a leader in the Sharing Cities Horizon 2020 Smart Cities & Communities project. A strong political commitment toward a better city for people to live in has lead extensive interventions now underway in crucial areas of the city based on good practice and careful planning such as One square in each neighbourhood, transforming large areas from car parking back to quality public spaces. The 1000ha Lisbon Forest Park is the first in Europe to achieve FSC certification. Figure 2 Historically a hilly city, Lisbon is working hard on inclusive mobility with innovative solutions
Over 90km of cycle paths and 6 bicycle and pedestrian bridges have been implemented in 9 years making Lisbon an increasingly bicycle friendly city with 3 more bicycle bridges and a 1400 e-bike-sharing system opening this year. The metro, trains, and bike-buses now allow bicycles for free to overcome hilly areas. With a 3% annual local budget allocated directly to the Pedestrian Accessibility Action Plan, important improvements for mobility are underway, including new public elevators in hilly historic areas. Lisbon is an open city, a hub for trading, a tourist hotspot and a crossing place of cultures. It is now clearly a vibrant city where the green approach cross-cuts on many different platforms, creating liveable spaces, where Business, R&D, Creativity, ITCs, Energy and Water Efficiency are gathered in a new vision for the XXI Century. 50.000 people from 15.000 companies and 165 countries will arrive for the Web Summit over the next 2 years. Lisbon is committed to promoting the attraction of talents, innovation and entrepreneurship in a creative hub based over an area of 3 acres with nearly 20 buildings, allowing for the creation of the largest national creative and innovation cluster over the next three years. Lisbon s local Energy and Environmental Agency Lisboa-E-Nova (LEN), backed by the Municipality and several local companies, monitors climate mitigation and leads a host of efficiency actions. At the same time LEN is embedded in the Circular economy, smart-cities and Innovation start-ups projects, including Sharing Cities and public lighting efficiency investments. Figure 3 Implementing a modern green infrastructure means choosing from different green methodologies.
The green infrastructure program is implementing 9 green corridors to be completed by 2020 contributing to climate adaptation towards urban heat temperatures and water cycle regulation. Lisbon is a world leader in successful urban allotment garden implementation and is studied internationally. Ecosystem services are in the spotlight in Lisbon: NBS solutions for rainwater flash flood adaptation involves a considerable investment that will be fostered over the coming years. 100% of recycled water from new wastewater plants will start irrigating green areas. Lisbon is working closely with the green roofs national association. Figure 4 Rainfed biodiversity meadows are a climate adaptation solution to tackle water scarcity For a city unused to change it has been incredible to see how much the city has adapted and grown. Adapting the city and its inhabitants to new practices, new lifestyles, new landscapes with different shades of green and to do more with less has been a major challenge. But today Lisbon is truly a city for its people, and for future generations to appreciate and cherish. The Master Plan of 2012 focused on viable sustainability and local solutions have been central to bringing about the transformation of the city. Today, Lisbon is a city where citizens really are involved in the decision making process and a Participative Budget of 2,5M EUR is becoming more popular every year.
Also astonishing is the recent regeneration of the Tagus Riverfront and its ancient relationship with the city. Cleaning the Tagus has played a central role in this process and made it possible to get people closer to the river that bathes and colours the city, a gift of vitality and life. Figure 5 A renovated and clean riverfront has been fostering green and blue energies in the city Lisbon takes the lead in showing how a sustainable environment might connect with the economy, fostering social inclusion and urban quality. This bid shows our city s strong will, effort, and confidence towards a greener future with an enthusiastic hard working team nurturing a healthier urban environment fit for life, where quality of life is valued for all and visiting is unforgettable, a atmosphere that only Lisbon can offer.