Durban has officially been named the world’s greenest city according to the Husqvarna Urban Green Space Index (HUGSI).
HUGSI is an innovation initiative which makes use of satellite images to generate insights on the distribution, size, proportion and health of green spaces in urban areas.
Durban has made the top of the list, beating out cities such as Rio De Janeiro, and Austin in Texas. The index hailed Durban as the greenest city in the world as it is known for its sustainability, as well as greening initiatives. It is also known for its efforts in safeguarding green spaces by making sure that they are not in danger of being destroyed by urbanisation. Such initiatives are implemented and managed by the City’s Parks, Leisure and Cemetaries Department.
Speaking to Berea Mail, Sibusiso Mkhwanazi, who is Head of the Parks, Leisure and Cemetaries Department, said the recognition is as a result of the City’s greening strategy and policy which directs planting of 80% indigenous trees and 20% exotic plants.
‘The strategy is setting aside huge natural and green areas known as Dmoss as part of spatial planning. It informs us on what to plant, how to plant and where to plant more trees. Furthermore, as part of creating an urban forest the city has a programme where we plant trees to rehabilitate areas that have been eroded. This effort has then contributed to us being the greenest city,’ said Mkhwanazi.
Image: Pixabay
