Towns and Cities, Growing Greener Culturally rich, Galway City is also committed to the environment and sustainable development Message from Galway City Galway is a vibrant, diverse city and the regional capital of the West of Ireland. It is a city of learning, a city of youth, a city of rich cultural heritage and of stunning natural environment. Galway is also a green city, committed to the environment and to sustainable development. We are proud and honoured to be named Green Leaf Winner, the first Irish city to receive this designation. The European Green Leaf Award not only Throughout 2017, our focus will be on celebrates our environmental achievements but innovation and the added-value that can be also challenges our city to continually improve the achieved through collaboration. Galway’s other quality of life of our citizens and reduce our impact designations, including European Capital of Culture on the global environment. 2020, European Region of Gastronomy 2018 and UNESCO City of Film, will be explored to create Towns and cities play an important role in links between environment and culture, food, promoting sustainable development and have a health, well-being and the economy. substantial impact on the wider environment. We look forward to reaching out to towns and cities all across Europe, to share stories and to learn from the experiences of others. 1 A maritime city, Galway has four beaches The city is characterised by large parks facing the Atlantic Ocean Citizen engagement will also play an important role Brendan McGrath in Galway’s European Green Leaf year and is a key Chief Executive, Galway City Council factor in Galway’s success. The people of Galway have organised and supported community clean- ups, recycling, educational events, planting days Noel Larkin and more. We encourage everyone to get involved Mayor of Galway City in European Green Leaf 2017 and join us on this exciting journey. European Green Leaf 2017 is about combining strengths, forging relationships and building capacity. It’s about growing greener together. Clockwise from Left to Right ©Galway City Council ©Alexey Zarodov ©Alexey Zarodov ©Colin Stanley 2 Galway has maintained many relics of 2017 will see the launch of a Biodiversity Action Plan its medieval heritage Galway City at a glance Located in the west of Ireland, on the shores of Galway Bay and overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, Galway City is surrounded by the phenomenal landscape of Connemara and the picturesque Lough Corrib. The river Corrib, whose stony bed gave the city its name (Gaill Aimh), flows through the centre and is interwoven with canals and mill races whose origins lie in the commercial heritage of earlier centuries. A young and growing city City of arts and culture In 2016 the population was 79,504, an increase Arts and culture flourish in Galway City and of 5.3% since 2012. Galway City’s population it will be European Capital of Culture 2020. of 20 to 24 year olds is more than twice the national average. An historic city Originally a small fishing village in the Middle A diverse city Ages, the city has maintained many relics from its Galway City is the most multi-cultural location medieval past, including cobbled streets, laneways, in Ireland with 25% of its citizens born outside of hidden archways and old medieval walls. Ireland. It is also Ireland’s only bilingual city, with the Irish language spoken by 44% of the population. 3 Galway’s Accolades • European Green Leaf 2017 • Best MicroCity in Europe for economic potential and business friendliness • European Region of Gastronomy 2018 - fDi Magazine, 2016 • European Capital of Culture 2020 • “Friendliest City in the World” • UNESCO City of Film - US Travel and Leisure magazine, 2015 • Member of UNESCO Creative Cities Network • Great Town of the Year Award 2013 • European pilot city for UCLG and Culture - Academy of Urbanism UK Action Europe’s Culture 21 Actions Project • Purple Flag status in recognition of its safe • WHO Healthy City and vibrant night-time economy Galway, a green city Galway is recognised as an environmentally friendly city, with an excellent record of high environmental standards and a commitment to green growth and sustainable development. Green and blue spaces Progressive waste Galway City has a diversity of natural resources management practices including 12km of coastline, over 150 hectares of Galway City was the first municipality in Ireland to woodlands, a river, a lake and a canal system. There introduce segregated waste collection system in are four beaches, two of which are designated Blue 2001 and a pay-by-weight collection system in 2007. Flag beaches, and large city parks including Barna This led to an overall reduction in waste generated Woods, Merlin Park Woods and Terryland Forest and an increase in recycling to over 70%. In 2017, Park. A fifth of the total land area is designated the focus will be on waste as a resource, with a as protected habitats, recreational amenity open strong emphasis on prevention and reuse. space and agricultural land. Urban biodiversity There are 58 different habitats in Galway City, 22 of which are considered to be nationally or internationally rare and are of high ecological or biodiversity value. Parts of Galway Bay and Lough Corrib are internationally renowned for their wealth Clockwise from Left to Right of birdlife. In 2017, a Biodiversity Action Plan will ©Colin Stanley be launched to provide a framework to protect, ©Galway City Council manage and enhance biodiversity in the city. 4 Over 90,000 trees were planted in Terryland 2017 will see the public bike scheme expand Forest Park by the citizens of Galway through to more areas in the city community-led ‘Plant-athon’ events Transport and Mobility Environmental Education The Galway Transport Strategy 2016–2036 and Awareness addresses current and future transport needs and Galway City has a very active environmental will force a shift to more sustainable travel, reduce education and awareness programme. The local dependence on private cars, improve air quality authority works with the Environmental Protection and take action to make Galway more accessible Agency on programmes relating to resource and connected. efficiency for businesses, festivals, households and communities. 100% of schools in Galway City Sustainable City Development participate in environmental initiatives including the The Galway City Development Plan 2017-2023 An Taisce Green Schools programme. seeks to make the city less vulnerable to climate change, support a low-carbon economy and Community Involvement protect and enhance the city’s environment The people of Galway are the city’s greatest asset and infrastructure, while facilitating sustainable and are central to its identity. Citizens are open and development. Other city strategies, including welcoming and have a strong sense of pride in their Everybody Matters; A Cultural Sustainability city. Galway residents are environmentally aware Strategy Framework 2016-2025; and the Local and committed, with an excellent track record in Economic and Community Plan 2016-2025, embed recycling and participation in green community sustainability as a core value. initiatives. 5 Bike week is one of many projects on-going in Galway City to promote sustainable travel options What Galway City is doing for European Green Leaf 2017 Events, projects and awareness campaigns in 2017 will focus on the European Green Leaf topic areas: Climate Change and Energy Performance, Mobility, Biodiversity and Land Use, Quality of Air and the Acoustic Environment, Waste Management and Green Economy, Water and Wastewater Management Environment and Culture Environment and Food European Green Leaf will work closely with the Sustainable food is a key priority and it ties in with Galway European Capital of Culture 2020 team the Galway, West of Ireland - European Region of to explore the links between environment and Gastronomy 2018 designation. A series of projects culture. Specific projects include Culture 21 Actions, will be delivered in the area of sustainable food, a European project linking culture to Agenda 21 including community gardens and food waste. principles, and a Green Your Festival initiative and promoting environmental best practice for festivals Environment and Economy and events. Galway City will promote the transition to a green circular economy to enhance employment. The Environment and Health value of our natural resources, including our marine The strong links between environment, health sector, in driving local economic development will and well-being will be emphasised in projects with also be enhanced in 2017. the Health Service Executive (HSE) and Galway Healthy Cities, with a particular focus on delivery of sustainable development goals. Clockwise from Left to Right ©Colin Stanley ©Galway City Council ©Galway City Council 6 European Green Leaf Winners Buaiteoirí European Green Leaf • Galway 2017 / Gaillimh 2017 • Torres Vedras 2015/2016 • Mollet del Vallès 2015/2016 • Galway / Gaillimh • Mollet del Vallès • Torres Vedras European Green Leaf European Green Leaf The European Green Leaf is a competition aimed Is é is European Green Leaf ann ná comórtas at cities and towns across Europe, with between atá dírithe ar chathracha agus ar bhailte ar fud 20,000 and 100,000 inhabitants. It is the partner na hEorpa ina gcónaíonn idir 20,000 duine competition of the European Green Capital agus 100,000 duine. Tá sé ar an gcomórtas Award for cities over 100,000 inhabitants. The comhpháirtíochta do Dhuais Phríomhchathair Ghlas Irish city of Galway is European Green Leaf 2017. na hEorpa do chathracha ina gcónaíonn níos mó The Spanish city of Mollet del Vallès and the ná 100,000 duine. Is é Gaillimh, cathair Éireannach, Portuguese city of Torres Vedras were the winners European Green Leaf 2017. Buaiteoirí an chéad of the inaugural European Green Leaf 2015/2016. chomórtais do European Green Leaf 2015/2016 iad The European competition recognises a city’s Mollet del Vallès, cathair Spáinneach, agus Torres commitment to better environmental outcomes.