Reviving Public Spaces through Cycling and Gardening. Ljubljana – European Green Capital 2016

Abstract

Ljubljana has recently started to accumulate various European and global awards such as the European Green Capital 2016. This article analyses the city’s sustainable living policy that led to this award and assesses non-environmental factors which improve the quality of urban life – an important indicator for various city rankings. Through case studies of urban cycling and gardening, it focuses on the quality of public spaces as perceived by city-supported initiatives and by grassroots practices that resist the city’s vision. It concludes with a questioning of the efficiency of current urban policies for improving the quality of life of all citizens.