GEL 2.1 Sustainable Urban Neighbourhoods

What are sustainable urban neighbourhoods?

What is development?

The economic, social, and political process→ improvement of the standard of living for a population

Measured via:

{economic} Gross Domestic Product, GDP, per capita

{social} Life Expectancy

{social} Adult Literary Rate

What is sustainable development?

Development that meets the needs of the present population→

• achieving high standards of living for all

• ensuring the ability of future generations to meet their own needs

• 3 Key Aims: Economy, Environment, and Society

How can urban neighbourhoods achieve economic sustainability?

Ensuring a neighbourhood has a high population density→ support local businesses and to keep transport and infrastructure costs low

• Local businesses can sustain themselves as there’s sufficient demand for their goods and services

• Residents can take up employment there→ earn an income→ higher standard of living

Schools located near integrated transport hubs→ students opt to walk to sch instead of public transport→ transport costs low

Buildings and objects usually located near each other→ residents need not travel far→ transport costs low

Transport infrastructure may be located closer to one another, so connecting infrastructure is not needed to be built (over long distances) → cost to develop transport infrastructure kept low

How can urban neighbourhoods achieve social sustainability?

Ensuring residents feel included and have a sense of shared identity:

• fostered by having shared community spaces→ promote regular social interactions

• small population size in urban neighbourhood→ facilitate regular interactions amongst residents→ residents may come together to discuss issues regarding their neighbourhood→ providing solutions to their challenges → builds resilience and positive relationships between residents→ maintain a culture of open communication, mutual respect and understanding→ reducing misunderstandings and conflicts

ie, Resident’s Network (RN) was set up to promote neighborliness and community cohesiveness amongst residents: Each neighbourhood is divided into smaller designated zones where regular activities are organized at zonal level; catering to small population size in the zone→ encourages residents to voice their opinions and participate in decision-making processes regarding issues affecting their neighbourhood

How can urban neighbourhoods achieve environmental sustainability? (1/3)

Ample Protection for Nature

• wildlife can thrive in our urban spaces→ fostering human-wildlife coexistence

• concentrated efforts should be made to protect existing native species, habitats and ecosystems + re-establish extinct species

• maximise biodiversity in urban neighbourhoods→ wide variety of habitats (pocket parks, roof gardens) instead of one large patch of uniform grass

• plant and tree species in an area should vary→ adequate shelter and food for a wider variety of wildlife to thrive

How can urban neighbourhoods achieve environmental sustainability? (2/3)

Having facilities that support waste minimisation and recycling:

• locate convenient recycling facilities (blue bins) around estates→ encourages residents to recycle

• high population density in a neighbourhood→ adequate waste collected and recycled in an economically viable manner

• recycling can be encouraged through recycling activities organised by residents or town council

How can urban neighbourhoods achieve environmental sustainability? (3/3)

Energy and water-efficient design approaches for buildings and landscapes:

• minimise the use of resources

• smart technology and eco-friendly features can be installed;

  (a) Cool Paint→ lowers temperatures by up to 2°C → reducing energy consumption

  (b) Water harvested from rain is used for block washing→ reducing overall water consumption