Geography ecocity

Ecocity Design and Environmental Strategies Syllabus

• Focus on eco-city design strategies that manage urban ecological footprint.

• Include examples that illustrate environmental strategies.

Eco-city Design

• Definition: An ecologically healthy city that fosters abundance without excessive resource consumption or waste.

• Goals: Aim to not be toxic to itself or neighboring ecosystems.

• Management: Encompasses broad aspects of environmental management presented in different case studies.

• Urban Ecological Footprint:

  • Measures natural resource consumption (land, resources, food) and carbon emissions.

  • Example: Hong Kong's footprint converts consumption into required hectares per person; it reveals that 3.9 planets would be needed if everyone lived like a Hong Kong resident.

  • Individual footprints vary based on housing size, consumption levels, and travel distances.

Hong Kong's Ecological Footprint

• High ecological footprint, ranked fifteenth in Asia.

• Major contributor: carbon footprint, nearly 40% of total.

• High-density living results in a smaller built footprint despite larger carbon emissions from transportation and utilities.

• Housing Impact: Single detached houses have double the ecological footprint of apartments.

Suburban Footprints

• Suburban towns nearby Calgary show a higher ecological footprint due to wealth and associated consumption.

• Urban sprawl generally results in larger ecological footprints.

Ecocity Design Principles

• Discusses the relationship between ecocity design and consumption/waste management.

• Consideration of retrofitting cities with environmental measures due to impracticality of building eco-cities from scratch.

• Example: Masdar City in the UAE.

Case Study: Masdar City, UAE

• Planned eco-city initiated in 2006, completion targeted by 2030 at $22 billion.

• Intended to house 50,000 residents and attract 60,000 daily commuters, but has fallen short.

Sustainability Features of Masdar City

• Energy: Powered by 88,000 solar panels.

• Transport: Electrified public transport; cars are banned, promoting natural ventilation and cooling through urban design.

• Goals: City aims for zero carbon and zero waste.

• Support: Backed by US government and organizations like Greenpeace and WWF.

Case Studies - Environmental Strategies in Cities

Leuven, Belgium

• Overview: University city of 100,000 recognized for environmental strategies.

• Achievements: European Green Leaf Award (2018), European City of Innovation Award (2020).

Governance in Leuven

• Implemented inclusive governance for citizen involvement in planning.

• Initiatives include the Climate Neutral Project aiming to decrease emissions significantly by 2030 (target: 251,000 tons).

Urban Projects in Leuven

• Climate Street Project: Engages citizens in enhancing sustainability (sustainable homes, mobility).

• Energy Efficiency Initiatives: Target to retrofit 1,000 homes per year; current average is 300.

• Mobility Plan: Shift towards public transport and cycling reduces car use, enhancing air quality.

  • Examples of traffic reduction: Increased bike journeys by 32%, reduced car journeys by 8%.

Renewable Energy Goals in Leuven

• Set targets for energy generation with photovoltaics and establishment of a wind power plant.

• Local energy cooperatives to support household transition to clean energy.

Sustainable Consumption in Leuven

• Advocates for seasonal and local food production; addresses food waste through recycling schemes.

• Established second-hand stores; local initiatives at recycling and waste management (biomass systems, etc.).

Green Infrastructure in Leuven

• Plans to expand urban green spaces and implement green roofs.

• Aim: Mitigating heat-island effect and improving urban resilience.

Vancouver, Canada

• Population: 675,000; initiated the Greenest City Challenge in 2007.

• Established goals for emissions reduction, waste management, and access to nature.

Progress Report (Vancouver)

• Metrics evaluated include:

  • CO2 emissions from buildings and transportation.

  • Waste management and reduction targets (50% by 2020).

  • Accessible parks within a 5-minute walk.

  • Increased local food assets.

Energy Transition Strategy (Vancouver)

• Focus on reducing fossil fuels and expanding renewable energy systems.

• Residential buildings targeting carbon neutrality, retrofitting strategies.

Key Transport Goals (Vancouver)

• Targeting two-thirds of all journeys to be made by sustainable modes (walking, biking, transit).

• Investment in infrastructure to facilitate public transportation improvement.

Waste Management Strategies (Vancouver)

• Aim for 50% reduction in landfill waste; create green demolition policies.

• Focus on producer responsibility for waste management.

Local Food Systems Development (Vancouver)

• Target increased urban farming initiatives; facilitate local food production.

• Investment in community kitchens/gardens.

Clean Air Initiatives (Vancouver)

• Target: meet the highest air quality standards; develop electric vehicle infrastructure and public awareness on emissions.

Green Economy Initiatives (Vancouver)

• Promoting green jobs and environmental innovation through incentives and community engagement.

• Recognize businesses that reduce their environmental footprints.
  
  

Ecological Footprint

Definition: The ecological footprint measures the natural resource consumption (land, resources, food) and carbon emissions of individuals or communities, indicating the environmental impact of human activities.

Comparison of Strategies: Leuven vs. Vancouver

Leuven, Belgium

• Governance: Inclusive governance involves citizens in planning for sustainability.

• Climate Neutral Project: Targets significant emissions reduction (251,000 tons by 2030).

• Urban Projects: Projects like the Climate Street Project engage citizens in sustainability efforts, with targets to retrofit homes for energy efficiency.

• Mobility Plan: Promotes public transport and cycling, achieving a 32% increase in bike journeys and an 8% reduction in car journeys.

• Renewable Energy Goals: Focuses on local energy production through photovoltaics and wind power plants, promoting household transitions to clean energy.

• Sustainable Consumption: Advocates for local food production and addresses food waste through recycling schemes.

• Green Infrastructure: Plans to expand green spaces and implement green roofs to mitigate urban heat effects.

Vancouver, Canada

• Greenest City Challenge: Initiated in 2007, focusing on emissions reduction, waste management, and accessibility to nature.

• Energy Transition Strategy: Aims to reduce fossil fuel dependency and targets carbon neutrality in residential buildings with retrofitting strategies.

• Transport Goals: Aims for two-thirds of all journeys using sustainable modes (walking, biking, public transport).

• Waste Management: Aiming for a 50% reduction in landfill waste and emphasizes green demolition policies and producer responsibility.

• Local Food Systems: Increase urban farming and community kitchens to enhance local food production.

• Clean Air Initiatives: Strives to meet high air quality standards and improve electric vehicle infrastructure.

• Green Economy Initiatives: Promotes green jobs, environmental innovation, and recognizes businesses reducing their environmental footprints.

Evaluation

Both cities have robust strategies for sustainability, but they differ in approach:

• Leuven emphasizes citizen involvement and localized renewable energy initiatives while focusing on community-led projects for enhancing sustainability.

• Vancouver adopts a broader scope with city-wide initiatives targeting infrastructure, waste management, and comprehensive urban planning aimed at reducing emissions and waste on a larger scale. Thus, Leuven's strategies are more community-based, whereas Vancouver aims for structural changes across urban systems.