‘My City’ photo competition

The European Environment Agency invited European citizens to share what urban environment means to them through photographs.

They could choose to depict a European city of their choice, and tell a positive or a negative story through their submissions. More than 50 photos made it to the final round – now it’s up to you to pick your favourites.

Public Choice Award

The ‘My City’ photo competition received more than 1,100 photos from 36 countries across Europe.

The 52 photos that made it to the final round have been uploaded here. The public vote for the Public Choice Award will close on 15 October.

A jury of environmental communication experts from across Europe will determine the winners for each category and the Youth Prize. The winners will be announced end October 2016.

My City

Around 75% of the population of the EU have chosen to live in urban areas. Europeans have adopted urban lifestyles and they use city amenities such as cultural, educational or health services. While cities are the engine of Europe’s economy and creators of European wealth, they depend heavily on resources of other regions to meet their demand for resources like energy, water and food, and to accommodate waste and emissions.

Environmental challenges and urbanisation opportunities are closely connected. Many cities struggle to cope with social, economic and environmental problems resulting from pressures such as overcrowding or decline, social inequity, pollution and traffic.

On the other hand, the proximity of people, businesses and services provides opportunities to build a more resource-efficient Europe.

Already, population density in cities means shorter journeys to work and services, and more walking, cycling or public transport use, while apartments in multi-family houses or blocks require less heating and less ground space per person. As a result, urban dwellers on average consume less energy and land per capita than do rural residents.

Still, finding the balance between density and compactness on one hand and quality of life in a healthy urban environment on the other is a major challenge for Europe’s urban areas.