Topic 2.1 Sustainable urban neighbourhoods Sec 3 geo

What is development?

Development refers to the economic, social and political processes which result in an improved standard of living. A country may be classified as developed or developing and this level of development is in turn, measured by a combination of indicators.

high GDP = a country is earning money = country is developed

GDP (Gross Domestic Product) per capita → person

GDP is a measure of the total monetary value of all goods and services produced within a country in a given time period, used as a key indicator of economic development and national income.

high literacy rate = more educated people = developed country

high life expectancy = better hygiene = developed country

What is sustainable development?

Refers to development that

  • Meets the needs of the present population by achieving high standards of living for all

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

Singapore focus areas

  1. City in nature

Parks, recreational areas

  1. Energy reset

Solar panels, clean energy

  1. Green economy

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Restore

  1. Resilient future

30% of food produced locally

  1. Sustainable living

Recycle bin, e-waste bin

3 Keys aims

An overfocus on one dimension may lead to other dimensions being overlooked.

How can urban neighbourhoods achieve economic and social sustainability

Economic sustainability $🤑

Achieve by ensuring that a neighbourhood has a high enough population density, which helps to support local businesses, and keep transport and infrastructure costs low.

Local businesses are able to sustain themselves as there will be sufficient demand for their goods and services

Residents can also take up employment at these shops, earn income and increase their standard of living

Transport and infrastructure costs can be kept low within the community.

Buildings and objects are usually located close to one another hence residents need not travel far, keeping their transportation costs low

Transport infrastructure may also be located closer to one another, keeping the cost to develop transport infrastructure low. This is because connecting infrastructure need not be bulit or bulit over long distances. Hence transportation costs for residents are lowered.

Social sustainability

Achieved by ensuring residents feel included and have a sense of shared identity.

This can be fostered by having shared community spaces to promote regular social interactions.

If the population size in the urban neighbourhood is kept small, it can facilitate regular interactions amongst residents.

  • Residents may come together to discuss issues affecting the neighbourhood and find solutions to various challenges.

  • This builds resilience and positive relationships between residents as this helps to maintain a culture of open communication, mutual respect and understanding, thus reducing misunderstandings and conflicts

A majority of the problems faced by local residents are day-to-day, mundane issues which can mostly be resolved locally with an adequate neighbourhood structure.

e.g residents’ networks (RN) was set up to promote neighbourliness and community cohesiveness amongst residents.

How can neighbourhoods be sustained environmentally?

Ample protection for nature

When there is ample protection for nature, wildlife can thrive in our urban spaces and human-wildlife coexistence can be fostered

Concerted efforts should be made to protect exisiting native species, habitats and ecosystems, and to re-establish species that once existed.

e.g biodiversity in urban neighbourhoods can be maximised by having a wide variety of habitats including street trees, pocket parks and roof gardens in the neighbourhood.

The types of plants and trees planted in an area should also be of different varieties and species. This provides adequate shelter and food for a wider variety of wildlife to thrive. thus maximising biodiversity in an urban neighbourhood

e.g The existing 50 nature ways in singapore connects areas of high biodiversity across Singapore

Having facilities that support waste minimisation and recycling

Conveniently located recycling facilities and infrastructures such as blie recycling bins around the estates can encourage residents to recycle.

Having a high enough population density in a neighbourhood ensures adequate waste can be collected and recycled in an economically viable manner.

Promotes economic sustainability → gather a larger amount of recycled materials for the recycling truck to make it economical.

Energy and water-efficient design approaches for buildings and landscapes

Buildings and landscaping in urban neighbourhoods may be designed to be be energy and water-efficient to minimise the use of resources

Smart technology and eco-friendly features can be installed.

e.g Under large-scale HDB Green Towns Programme, cool paint is going to be used in neighbourhoods to lower temperatures by up to 2 degrees.

Water harvested from rain in tanks on top of HDBs is used for block washing of void decks and corridors to reduce overall water consumption.

More trees → provide shade → lower temperature