The city last week adopted a master plan to become a sustainable, environmentally friendly city.
By EHUD ZION WALDOKSkfar saba 88 224(photo credit: )
Kfar Saba became the first city in Israel, and perhaps the world, last week to adopt a master plan to become a sustainable, environmentally friendly city.
A team of experts led by Prof. Uri Marinov spent a year compiling a comprehensive plan to overhaul everything from light bulbs to transportation to construction.
Parts of the plan will already be adopted in 2009, Kfar Saba Mayor Yehuda Ben-Hemo said upon accepting the report and all of its recommendations.
"To the best of my knowledge, Kfar Saba is the first city in the world to take such a sweeping decision," Marinov told The Jerusalem Post at the weekend.
The experts' committee looked at all aspects of the city and compiled environmental solutions or alternatives. The report will form the basis for the city's multi-year master plan.
"This was initiated by the mayor. They [in Kfar Saba] had taken some steps already. They are part of an environmental unit with Ra'anana and Hod Hasharon, but the mayor wanted to go further and asked me to head the committee," Marinov told the Post.
He just received a lifetime achievement award from the Environmental Protection Ministry a week before, and was instrumental in creating the ministry and served as its first director-general for three years.
Marinov characterized the yearlong process in Kfar Saba as an "excellent one."
"There was great feedback between the members of the committee, with the mayor, with the heads of the departments. We had a lot of feedback on their processes preparing a physical master plan, a transportation master plan, an educational plan," he said.
We did not have to compromise on a single item and the report was accepted in its entirety, Marinov said, adding: "Neither the mayor or any of his people put any influence on us either way."
Kfar Saba had already adopted a green standard for building even before the report was accepted last Wednesday, he said. The city developed its own standard, which was very close to the green standard published by the standards institute, he said.
"I understand the basics of the plan were presented at a national mayors conference recently and there was a lot of excitement. I think more cities will be adopting the green standard," Marinov added.
The comprehensive plan presents solutions in the realms of building, transport, conservation of resources and landmarks, recycling, environmental education, water, open spaces, bike paths, waste reduction, energy reduction, renewable energy, and many other areas, big and small.
To cite just a few of the many and diverse proposals, all building from now on will be green building focusing on energy saving, alternative energy sources and similar elements. On a smaller scale, the city will convert all streetlights and traffic lights to energy-saving bulbs.
The team of experts suggested creating a broad system of bike paths to encourage nonpolluting transportation. In addition, they suggested creating a rent-a-bike system like the one that currently serves Paris. The experts also recommended exploring the use of cleaner or smaller buses for public transportation.
The municipality plans to become an example to residents of sustainable living. It will also report to residents on its progress and environmental issues in a transparent manner.
The city plans to reduce paper use in schools by 10 percent within three years and to create green councils in half the schools now and the rest within five years. Pupils will be encouraged to conduct research projects on environmental issues and recycling will be stressed both for schools and in the community at larger.
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