Analysis of current images and data

For 2020, HUGSI created a ranking of 155 cities from a total of 60 countries, in which it assessed not only the share of green areas but also the type of vegetation, its health or distribution. The ranking is created by analyzing current images and data that can help cities in planning, developing and managing urban green space.

HUGSI obtains satellite photographs from the European Union’s Copernicus space program. Using machine learning and computer vision tools, this information is processed into a range of metrics that assess green space in cities. The most important parameters include the percentage of urban greenery, average vegetation health, the share of green space per capita, the distribution of urban space and the percentage of green space covered by forests or grasslands. Based on these criteria, each city will receive its own score, from 0 to a maximum of 100 points, which is compared with the results of other metropolises. Data from 2019 were assessed within the green index for 2020.

Prague is one of 155 cities worldwide where the index evaluates urban greenery

HUGSI was not Husqvarna Urban Green Index it is not just a ranking of the greenest cities in the world. It is also a source of securities that can contribute relevant information on the development and management of urban green space, both to contribute to the sustainability of green space in cities, as well as to raise public awareness of environmental issues.

At the launch of the HUGSI project in early 2020, 96 metropolitan areas were selected to participate in the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group’s climate protection initiatives. At the end of the year, other cities of Prague were added, which filled the missing locality during Europe, India and North America. Today, the index rates urban greenery in a total of 155 cities around the world. They will continue to increase in the future.

“When people moved into blocks of flats in the 1980s, the housing estate was strewn with untreated areas of concrete. Over time, the space has grown into a relatively nice green, because people are used to taking care of places where. There is a park, greenery and a children’s playground within walking distance. Therefore, the good placement of Prague in the index does not surprise me in any way, ” the deputy mayor comments on the result Petr Hlubučekwho is in charge of the environmental agenda at the municipality.

“Prague has ‘inherited’ some important green areas from the past, but in addition to above-standard care for existing city-wide important green areas, it has also been systematically working on the development and establishment of new green areas on both long-term agricultural land and unmaintained areas.” added the spokesman for the municipality Vít Hofman.

Vilnius, Dortmund and Krakow lead in Europe

The ranking has brought remarkable and, in some respects, surprising results. While Europe is 45 percent better than the global average, cities in Latin America or South or West Asia have performed the worst, with the index falling below 29 percent. The absolute winner was the city of Charlotte, the US state of North Carolina. The body won with 81.12. The Lithuanian capital Vilnius won on the European continent. Prague gained 73.04 points and placed 13th. The worst performer was the capital of Peru, Lima, which did not score a single point.

The whole ranking of the greenest metropolises is here.