World Triathlon

10. Lausanne, a model green city Conscious of its exceptional natural setting, Lausanne has made sustainable development one of the spearheads of local policy making for many years. Soft mobility, energy manage- ment, housing, waste sorting, green spaces, etc, this ecological conscience extends to an ecotourism that is increasingly popular with visitors. Lausanne is green by nature. Extending from the floral quays of Ouchy to the forest of Jo- rat in the north, surrounded by the Lavaux vineyards to the east and those of La Côte to the west, the city also owns 350 hectares of public parks and gardens perfect for walks and relaxation, not to mention the man-made lake, the animal park and the 35-metre high observation tower in the forest of Sauvabelin. This means that over half of the area of the commune is covered in forests, countryside, vineyards and other expanses of greenery. In Lausanne, the quality of the environment has now become as much a guarantee of well- being for local residents as an element of welcome for its guests. Whether they are here on a private break or a business trip, the latter appreciate the cleanliness, the respect for nature, the development of green spaces and the policies put in place by the city to save energy and combat emissions. Sustainable development represents one of the four pillars of excellence in the municipality of Lausanne, alongside culture, education and research, sport and Olympism. The city em- barked on this path in the 1990s by ensuring that all the local government services reflected a respect for the environment and the integration of nature into modern town planning. Numerous local actors – particularly in tourism – have likewise embarked on this path, inclu- ding institutions of higher education such as the EPFL and the Hotel School, hotels such as the Lausanne Guesthouse and the Mövenpick Hotel Lausanne, and associations along the lines of NiceFuture, which seeks to take concrete measures throughout French-speaking Switzerland to make consumers more responsible in their day-to-day behaviour. In its capacity as Olympic Capital, Lausanne is also a co-founder and signatory of the World Union of Olympic Cities (WUOC), which aims to apply ecological principles to the sites for the Games. Lausanne 2019 will apply the same spirit to support the city of Lausanne's effort to promote sustainability. Furthermore, the organising committee will also follow the very mindful recommendations published by the Swiss Olympic Association through the inter- mediary of its "Ecosport" platform. In 2014 Lausanne was awarded the title of "European Energy Award Cité de l'énergie Gold", its second such award in ten years. ITU Triathlon Grand Final – 51

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