Durban is the greenest city in the world, this according to the first Husqvarna Urban Green Space Index (HUGSI).

HUGSI is a digital innovation initiative which utilizes computer vision and deep learning techniques on satellite images to generate insights about the size,proportion, distribution, and health of green space in urban areas.

The city towered above 94 cities in the world followed by Rio De Janero in second place and Austin that took the third place.

The Index recognised Durban for its sustainability and greening initiatives that are aimed at safeguarding green spaces by ensuring that they are not jeopardised by urbanization.

Such initiatives are implemented and managed by the City’s Parks Leisure and Cemeteries Department which makes Durban more caring and liveable by rolling out climate-resilience strategies and curating open green space.

Deputy Head of Parks, Leisure and Cemeteries, Sibusiso Mkhwanazi said the recognition was as a result of the City’s greening strategy and policy which directs planting of 80% indigenous trees and 20 % exotic plants.

“The strategy is setting aside huge natural and green areas known as Dmoss as part of spatial planning. It informs us on what to plant, how to plant and where to plant more trees. Furthermore, as part of creating an urban forest the city has a programme where we plant trees to rehabilitate areas that have been eroded. This effort has then contributed to us being the greenest city,” said Mkhwanazi.

Durban is also recipient of two Arbor City Awards from the National Department of Agriculture.