Baba sustainable urban dev.

What are the local and global environmental impacts of urban areas?

All urban areas have environmental impacts, locally and globally. High densities of people and structures compete for space. They consume large quantities of resources - water, energy etc. Generate pollution, congestion and waste. Consume green and natural spaces, and sprawl over vast areas.

Local Global

Emissions Smog - health issues Extra CO2 contributes to global warming

Waste Attracts vermin Plastics in the ocean

Urban Development Loss of greenspace Alter biodiversity and species range

Water Over consumption Quality and availability of reliable water supplies

These issues are particularly serious in LDEs and EMEs, where there is conflict between short-term economic development plan and protection of the environment. The greatest concern is the state of air quality, noise, and congestion in LDEs as industrial development increases. For EMEs it is the increase in consumption (which increases waste) and traffic, although housing, industrial and infrastructure issues are reduced. Urban areas are therefore, considered 'hot spots' of production, consumption and waste generation. However, they have to potential to increase energy efficiency and sustainability of society as a whole.

What is the ecological footprint?

The ecological footprint is defined as: The area of land needed to provide the necessary resources and absorb the wastes generated by a community.

Tokyo metropolitan area is almost 3 times the total land area of Japan. The biggest ecological footprints are found in HDEs, where the needs and demands are 10 times larger than LDE cities of similar sizes.

Transport: Large numbers of vehicles and public transport in urban areas need a large amount of fossil fuels. This emits a lot of waste gases and particulates. However, some urban areas have efficient public transport which reduces their ecological footprint.

Building: Materials needed for development are greatest in EMEs, placing a strain on the Earth. Expansion of high rise buildings in HDEs also require natural resources. Slow development allows for nature to replace used materials.

Needs: Higher population and development leads to higher rates of consumption, which in turn leads to higher waste production and a higher footprint.

Given that nearly 70% of global population will live in urban areas by 2050, the development of sustainable cities is important.

What is liveability and what factors are used to measure it?

Liveability can be defined as: "The level to which a place provides a suitable or good space to live in."

It is usually measured by factors such as safety, cultural, environmental and social quality, access to community facilities, shops and services and levels of freedom as perceived by residents, workers, customers and visitors to the area.

Factors Used by People:

· Safety and health related issues: Personal security, public health, traffic safety

· Local environmental conditions: Cleanliness, noise, dust, air and water quality

· Quality of social interactions: Community identity and pride, neighbourliness

· Opportunities for recreation and entertainment: Leisure centres, cinemas, restaurants

· Aesthetics: Easy to navigate, inviting, beauty, appealing, accessible

· Existence of unique cultural environmental characteristics: Historic structures, mature trees, traditional architectural styles, streetscapes

What is the Global Liveability Index?

The Economist Intelligence Unit publishes an annual Global Liveability Index which quantifies the challenges presented to an individual's lifestyle and quality of life in 173 cities. The Index is based on 5 broad categories:

· Stability

· Healthcare

· Culture and environment

· Education

· Infrastructure

"In 2022, lessened covid-19 restrictions and the Ukraine Crisis contributed to shifting trends in the most liveable cities and overall standards of living. Higher scoring cities are in regions where vaccination rates are higher, and cities with lower quality of life assessments are where war is prevalent." The Economist Intelligence Unit 2023

Every city is assigned a rating of relative comfort for over 30 qualitative and quantitative factors. Each factor is rated as acceptable, tolerable, uncomfortable, undesirable or intolerable. Scores are weighted and then given a total score out of 100.

Top and Bottom Two Ranked Cities of 2019 and 2022:

· 2019: 1. Vienna, Austria; 2. Melbourne, Australia; 139/171* Lagos, Nigeria; 140/172* Damascus, Syria

· 2022: 1. Vienna, Austria; 2. Copenhagen, Denmark; 139/171* Lagos, Nigeria; 140/172* Damascus, Syria

*In 2019 the Index only covered 140 cities

The liveability of a place has a direct impact on the people who live, work, or visit the area. Popular areas to live and work in (high liveability), property values and business activity tends to be higher, as people compete to locate there. Neighbourhoods perceived to have low levels of liveability generally have cheaper housing because people are less likely to choose it as a place in which to live.

What are the dimensions of sustainability?

Sustainability is the ability to meet the needs of today without compromising the needs of tomorrow. In other words, making the best use of current resources, protecting the environment, controlling growth of the built environment and limiting waste. The concept of true sustainability is not possible at present, but good planning and management contributes towards that goal.

Urban sustainability falls under the following:

· Physical and natural - nature has limits, and communities (people are also part of nature) are responsible for protecting and building natural assets

· Economic - should be for the common good, be self-renewing, build local value and self-reliance

· Social - opportunity for full participation in all activities and benefits of a society

· Political and governance - inclusion and consultation in decision-making of the city, clear leadership and management, government is open and transparent

What are the dimensions of sustainability in detail?

Physical and Natural Economic Social Political and Governance

Land use and conservation Access to ethical, well paid jobs Social inclusivity Strengthening of political and civil rights

Management of resources and waste Well-funded council to ensure continued economic growth Cultural promotion Support of local, regional, national and global links

Energy efficiency and reduction of emissions Distribution of renewable energy Tolerance and respect of each other to maintain social cohesiveness Inclusivity of residents and decision making

Recycling and upcycling Technology and innovation supported for green production and growth Reduction of inequalities - Help to Buy Schemes Expansion of green spaces

Interconnected systems to share good practice Planned expansion - compact cities Urban agriculture Addressing ecological footprint of business

Good housing, transport and services Carbon neutral building structures

Examiner Tip: Remember that sustainable cities must be liveable in the now and in the future and therefore, sustainability encompasses the concept of liveability and how able residents are to accessing a good quality of life.

What are the features of sustainable cities?

Features of a sustainable city include:

· Liveable communities with improved transport - developing infrastructure, networks and modes (i.e. car sharing) to meet demand, without increasing congestion and pollution; adopting and promoting affordable public transport; introducing vehicle restrictions and technical innovations (EV chargers etc.)

· Green architecture - reducing the number of resources used and lower greenhouse gas emissions from building city structures; using solar panels, enhanced ventilation and insulation

· Urban farming - utilising rooftop spaces and using vertical gardens; improvement of air quality; reduced runoff and improved humidity; supports local food production thereby reducing transport costs and boost local economy; utilises neglected spaces and reduces agricultural supply chain impact

· Carbon-neutral developments and planned expansion - compact cities and building structures that generate as much energy as is used

· Waste management and water conservation - improved planning and water leak detection; recycling, composting and upcycling materials and waste

· Green space expansion - parks, nature preserves and recreational areas get people out of cars and improves mental health; improves and supports diverse ecosystems including birds, bees and butterflies

· Renewable energy - installation of solar panels, wind turbines and central heat and power units

What are the opportunities and challenges to sustainability?

Opportunities | Challenges |

|---|---|

| Inward investments are more likely due to higher benefits | LDEs lack the money to invest in expensive sustainable methods |

| Higher population densities, ensures that services are viable and can reach more people | Lifestyle changes are hard to implement and people are resistant to change |

| Sustainable living and its importance is growing and many people wish to live sustainably, meaning investments into "green tech" for urban living is increasing | Fast urbanisation rates creates difficulties in maintaining and increasing the demands and needs of a growing population |

| Protection of greenbelts and redevelopment of brownfield sites to reduce urban sprawl | Globalisation has increased power and influence of TNCs, and they need to embrace the need to change |

| Future planning can include low carbon policies, energy efficient buildings, reducing dependency on private vehicles etc. | Infrastructure can be inhibiting with narrow streets or roads |

What strategies develop sustainable cities?

There is no one size fits all and different strategies for increasing sustainability are needed for different cities:

Reducing vehicle numbers: Strategies can include vehicle free zones, times and days, constructing new cycle lanes, introducing park and ride schemes along with improving public transport provision.

· E.g. in Freiburg, Germany, cycling routes, pedestrian-only zones and a light rail system have reduced car use

Increasing green space: Green spaces, e.g. parks, can reduce pollution and increase biodiversity, promoting urban agriculture. Programmes such as river clean-ups, wetland restoration and tree planting can provide habitats for wildlife.

What strategies develop sustainable cities? (Waste, energy, water and building efficiency)

Improving urban waste disposal: Many cities have introduced measures to reduce the amount of waste being sent to landfill. These include expanding recycling facilities, converting to incineration with energy recovery and encouraging people to compost green waste.

Increasing renewable energy use: Using renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, decreases fossil fuel use and carbon emissions.

Reducing water use and wastage: Authorities can insist that new buildings are fitted with water meters and water-efficient fittings, and ensure that people use less water.

· E.g. in Cape Town, South Africa, water pressure was reduced so that showers, hosepipes etc. would use less water

Improve building efficiency: Governments can offer incentives to encourage homeowners and businesses to improve the insulation in buildings, install solar panels and use energy-efficient light bulbs.

What strategies develop sustainable cities? (Forward planning, 20 minute neighbourhood and sponge cities)

Forward planning: Build with south facing windows, extra insulation, rainwater harvesting tanks, energy and water meters.

20 minute neighbourhood: The idea is that no resident should need to travel more than 20 minutes from work, shops, business services, education or leisure facilities. In Paris, the mayor is using the Rue de Rivoli to trial the concept. It is hoped that in future, no Parisian should need to travel more than 15 minutes on foot or by bike to work, shop, or deal with a government agency.

Sponge cities: Sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS) are open spaces within cities that can soak up floodwater and prevent damage in an ecologically friendly way. Many of China's growing cities suffer from chronic flooding, they are implementing measures to hold, clean, and drain water back into the system. The Netherlands has created multi-functional "water squares" which holds storm water and offers a social space during other times.

Which of the following would not be an appropriate technique for a sustainable city? (1 mark)

Using green roofs on houses to increase levels of infiltration

2. Building a dual carriageway across the city to ease traffic congestion

3. Government subsidies to encourage the use of solar panels

4. Increasing pedestrianisation to reduce car use

A: B - whilst easing traffic congestion makes travel quicker and reduces overall emissions, it encourages the use of vehicles, which burn fossil fuels which is not sustainable.