Title: TASK: Minneapolis, Minnesota – A sustainable city?
Course: GG 22/23 Leuphana-Copy > Section: 2.2 City // Transport

As you have seen in the previous tasks, there can be many aspects that make a city green. It is now time to 'add some flesh to the bones' and explore one particular U.S. city that could be seen as a model of green city planning and urban development: Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Minneapolis -- a green city?

Can Minneapolis, Minnesota be considered a green city?

1. Review the following materials and consult additional resources as needed in order to learn about Minneapolis's approach to sustainability.
2. Compare these data with your criteria of green cities from the previous task.
3. Finally, discuss your findings with your group members in FORUM: Case study discussion City // Transport .

OPTIONAL Lahti -- a green city?

Now that you are familiar with criteria of ’green’ cities in the United States, take a closer look at a European example of what a green city can look like.

In 2021, the Finnish city of Lahti takes center stage in the promotion of environmentally friendly urban living in Europe. Once one of the most polluted cities in Europe, the city of Lahti has transformed into a city that aims to be carbon-neutral in 2025. In 2021, Lahti was awarded the title “European Green Capital”.

Can Lathi, Finland be considered “Europe’s green capital”?

1. Review the materials about the city of Lahti and consult additional resources as needed to answer the question what makes Lahti a ‘green capital’. Which criteria did the jury for the “European Green Capital Award” consider?
2. Compare these data with the criteria of the city of Minneapolis.
3. Finally, discuss your findings with your group members in FORUM: Case study discussion City // Transport .

[fa-files-o] Materials and resources:

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Minneapolis: Environmental Programs

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Minneapolis Climate Action

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Minnesota Environmental Partnership

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Lathi 2021 Facts: "European Green Capital 2021"

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Six climate-friendly ideas to learn from Lathi in Finland

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Interview with Politician from Lathi