Malmo -- June 23, 2009

I spent today in Malmo, fourth greenest city in the world, according to Grist.  It is hard to believe that this city is the same size as Winston-Salem, NC, where I live.  Malmo is much more compact and feels much more urban.  Of course, having been a walled city for centuries to keep the marauding Danes from invading doesn't exactly lend itself to urban sprawl.

There are bicycle paths everywhere. Commuting by bicycle is a very common mode of transportation. In Malmo, bicycle and public transportation are prioritized over auto traffic.  There are even radar detectors at 30-some intersections that can sense approaching cyclists and automatically provide a green light. The city of Malmo encourages people to walk, cycle or take public transportation.

Vastra Hamnen is a neighborhood built for a European Housing Expo in 2001. You can see the solar installations in this eco-friendly neigborhood.  In addition to being eco-friendly, this neighborhood is just cool. Of course, the view of the Baltic Sea is quite a perk. My brother and I ate local, organic fare at Salt and Brygga, a green restaurant in every sense of the word. Most restaurants in Malmo are eco-friendly. There is very little served in plastic. At the coffee shops, you have to ask for take-out. Otherwise your beverage is served in a ceramic mug. For dessert, we had organic gelato at a Fair Trade Italian ice-cream shop. I had the chili-chocolate.  Maybe Alex will make some for Caffe Prada.  It was delicious.

It is late here.  It is 10:30 p.m. but it is still quite light outside.  I am still getting use to the light. More later.