Dutch City of the Sun
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An architect in the Netherlands has created what he says is the world's largest carbon-neutral community, by ensuring all of the buildings there are eco-friendly.
The City of the Sun in the City of Heerhugowaard has been celebrating its success in promoting sustainability.
Ashok Balohtra, the brains behind City of the Sun, first came up with the idea of a sustainable city almost 20 years ago.
It is an island in the middle of a 60 hectare lake - roughly the same size as a medieval city - which Mr Balohtra says has helped create a strong community bond.
Houses feature solar panels and extra insulation and have water butts outside to make use of rainfall. One of Mr Balohtra's main aims was to make it easy for people to move to the City of the Sun, at the same time as inspiring them to make other small changes to their lifestyles which can help save energy.
Mr Balohtra says the Netherlands has missed opportunities in the past to develop similar projects because decision makers want to 'see it before they can believe it'.
Now he has given them the proof it is possible to combine sustainability with beautiful design. He hopes the City of the Sun will be used as a blueprint for further similar towns and communities.
Listen to a report by a report by Network Europe's Marijke Peters:
