The National Park City movement continues to grow as the Dutch city of Breda becomes the fourth in the world, after London, Adelaide and the recent addition of Chattanooga.
Breda has lofty ambitions to be one of the most nature rich cities in Europe by 2030, a goal that is well on the way to being achieved.
The recent announcement is obviously great news for Breda, but it is equally as exciting for us here in Adelaide!
Green Adelaide’s Adelaide National Park City project lead Dr Sheryn Pitman explains that when Adelaide became a National Park City in 2021 there was just the one other of London.
“Now, there are 2 more which is incredibly valuable for the movement as every city can offer new insights into ways to incorporate nature,” Dr Pitman said.
The process to become a National Park City is rigorous and involves an international steering group including representatives from Adelaide, Chattanooga, London, The Netherlands and the Salzburg Global (a network of leaders from around the world).
Dr Pitman explains that the collaboration in the assessment is crucial to being able to ensure the city vying to get National Park City status is worthy of this high honour and understand its commitments not only to its own community, but to the global family of cities.
“The process for budding National Park Cities really is demanding, but this ensures that the city leaders and community will work together into the future to make their cities greener, healthier and fairer.
“Breda certainly meets the requirements. Nature is a key to so much in the city and this passion was highlighted by the grassroots campaign which was endorsed by the local municipality, entrepreneurs and the business community, educational institutions and numerous associations.
Dr Pitman says she is looking forward to more cities being added to the movement.
“There are several more cities in the pipeline and we welcome this whole heartedly.
“There’s so much we can learn from each other in our common goal to make cities as healthy and nature rich as possible.”
Learn more about the Adelaide National Park City movement.