Sustainable Urban Neighbourhoods and Ecosystem Services

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers concepts related to sustainable urban development, ecosystem services, community resilience, and disaster risk management based on the provided lecture notes.

Environmental Sustainability

To sustainably manage natural resources and take urgent action on climate change to support the needs of the present and future generations.

Economic Sustainability

Refers to practices that support long-term economic growth.

Sustainable Urban Neighbourhoods

Neighbourhoods that meet the present needs by achieving high standards of living for our current and future generations to thrive.

Ecosystem

A dynamic complex of living communities and the non-living environment interacting as a functional unit and being interdependent.

Ecosystem Services

Refers to the benefits brought about by nature to people, produced by living communities and the non-living environment.

Provisioning Services

Tangible resources or products obtained from ecosystems, such as food, water, and wood.

Regulating Services

Benefits obtained from the regulation of ecosystem processes, including the regulation of climate, water flows, and air quality.

Cultural Services

Intangible benefits or non-material experiences obtained from ecosystems, such as aesthetic appreciation, educational opportunities, and recreational opportunities.

Supporting Services

Services necessary for the production of all other ecosystem services, such as soil formation and photosynthesis.

Environmental Stewardship

Actions taken by individuals or groups to protect or responsibly use the environment to preserve the natural environment and healthy ecosystems.

Disaster Risk Management

Refers to plans and actions implemented to prevent new risks, reduce existing risks, and manage disaster risks.

Community Resilience

Refers to the ability of a community to resist, adapt, and recover from the impacts of disasters in a timely and efficient manner.

Hazard

A process, phenomenon, or human activity that may cause loss of life, health impacts, property damage, and social or economic consequences.

Treelodge

An environmentally sustainable housing project in Punggol that utilizes solar panels, rainwater harvesting, green roofs, and centralized recycling chutes.

Heat-reflective paint

A technology used on Housing Board blocks to reflect heat and lower ambient temperatures by up to $2^\text{o}C$, reducing the need for air-conditioning and lowering carbon emissions.

White Elephant

A term used to describe the Buangkok MRT station in $2005$ when it remained closed because there were not at least $2,000$ housing units to justify its operation.

Sungei Buloh Nature Park Network

A protected area designated as a nature reserve to protect biodiversity and native species from illegal activities.

Eco-link bridge @ BKE

An infrastructure project designed to facilitate the co-existence of wildlife and urban areas by allowing for the protection of habitats and ecosystems.

Community Emergency Preparedness Programme (CEPP)

A program that focuses on lifesaving skills and emergency procedures to help residents respond to emergencies.

Community First Responders (CFRs)

Volunteers who support government operations by building skills in first-aid or firefighting and responding to minor fires in their immediate vicinity.

Public Warning System (PWS)

A system of sirens placed at strategic points across a city to warn the public of imminent threats that may endanger lives and property.

Total Defence Framework

An all-round response to threats and challenges involving everyone in Singapore to build a strong, secure, and cohesive nation.