chapter 25 sustainable cities. chapter overview questions how is the worlds population distributed...

Chapter 25Chapter 25

Sustainable CitiesSustainable Cities

Chapter Overview QuestionsChapter Overview Questions

How is the world’s population distributed How is the world’s population distributed between rural and urban areas, and what between rural and urban areas, and what factors determine how urban areas develop?factors determine how urban areas develop?

What are the major resource and What are the major resource and environmental problems of urban areas?environmental problems of urban areas?

How do transportation systems shape urban How do transportation systems shape urban areas and growth, and what are the areas and growth, and what are the advantages and disadvantages of various advantages and disadvantages of various forms of transportation?forms of transportation?

Chapter Overview Questions (cont’d)Chapter Overview Questions (cont’d)

What methods are used for planning and What methods are used for planning and controlling urban growth?controlling urban growth?

How can cities be made more sustainable How can cities be made more sustainable and more desirable places to live?and more desirable places to live?

Core Case Study: The Ecocity Core Case Study: The Ecocity Concept in Curitiba, BrazilConcept in Curitiba, Brazil

70% of Curitiba’s 2 million people use the 70% of Curitiba’s 2 million people use the bus system.bus system.

Only high-rise apartments are allowed near Only high-rise apartments are allowed near bus routes and devote the bottom 2 floors to bus routes and devote the bottom 2 floors to stores.stores.

Bike paths run through the city.Bike paths run through the city. Cars are banned from 49 blocks of the city’s Cars are banned from 49 blocks of the city’s

downtown.downtown.

Core Case Study: The Ecocity Core Case Study: The Ecocity Concept in Curitiba, BrazilConcept in Curitiba, Brazil

This bus system This bus system moves large numbers moves large numbers of passengers based of passengers based on its infrastructure:on its infrastructure: Express lanes for buses Express lanes for buses

only.only. Double and triple length Double and triple length

buses.buses. Extra-wide doors for Extra-wide doors for

easy boarding.easy boarding.

Figure 25-1Figure 25-1

URBANIZATION AND URBAN URBANIZATION AND URBAN GROWTHGROWTH

People move to cities because “push” factors People move to cities because “push” factors force them out of rural areas and “pull” force them out of rural areas and “pull” factors give them the hope of finding jobs and factors give them the hope of finding jobs and a better life in the city.a better life in the city.

Urban populations are growing rapidly and Urban populations are growing rapidly and many cities in developing countries have many cities in developing countries have become centers of poverty.become centers of poverty.

Major Urban Areas of the WorldMajor Urban Areas of the World

Satellite images of the earth at night showing Satellite images of the earth at night showing city lights. Currently, 49% of the world’s city lights. Currently, 49% of the world’s population live in urban areas (2% of earth’s population live in urban areas (2% of earth’s land area).land area). Figure 25-2Figure 25-2

Case Study: Urbanization in the U.S.Case Study: Urbanization in the U.S.

About 48% of Americans live About 48% of Americans live in consolidated metropolitan in consolidated metropolitan areas (bottom map).areas (bottom map).

8 of 10 8 of 10 Americans Americans live in live in Urban Urban areas.areas.


Urban SprawlUrban Sprawl

When land is available and affordable, urban When land is available and affordable, urban areas tend to sprawl outward because:areas tend to sprawl outward because: Federal government loan guarantees stimulated Federal government loan guarantees stimulated

the development of suburbs.the development of suburbs. Low-cost gasoline and government funding of Low-cost gasoline and government funding of

highways encourages automobile use.highways encourages automobile use. Tax-laws encourage home ownership.Tax-laws encourage home ownership. Most zoning laws separate residential and Most zoning laws separate residential and

commercial use of land.commercial use of land. Many urban areas lack proper planning.Many urban areas lack proper planning.


Urban sprawl in and around Las Vegas, Urban sprawl in and around Las Vegas, Nevada between 1973 and 2000.Nevada between 1973 and 2000.



As they grow and As they grow and sprawl outward, sprawl outward, urban areas merge urban areas merge to form megalopolis.to form megalopolis. Bowash runs from Bowash runs from

Boston, Boston, Massachusetts to Massachusetts to Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C.


Fig. 25-6, p. 567

Natural Capital Degradation

Urban Sprawl

Land and Land and BiodiversityBiodiversity

Human Health and Human Health and AestheticsAesthetics

WaterWater Energy, Air, Energy, Air, and Climateand Climate

Economic EffectsEconomic Effects

Loss of cropland Contaminated drinking water and air

Increased runoff

Increased energy use & waste

Higher taxes

Loss of forests and grasslands

Increased surface water & groundwater pollution

Decline of downtown business districts

Increased air pollution

Weight gainLoss of wetlandsIncreased greenhouse gas emissions

Noise pollution

Increased use of surface water and groundwater

Increased unemployment in central city

Loss and fragmentation of wildlife habitats

Sky illumination at night

Enhanced global warming

Decreased storage of surface water and groundwater

Loss of tax base in central city

Increased wildlife roadkill

Traffic congestion

Warmer microclimate (urban heat island effect)

Increased soil erosion

Increased flooding

Decreased natural sewage treatment

URBAN RESOURCE AND URBAN RESOURCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMSENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS

Urban areas can offer more job opportunities Urban areas can offer more job opportunities and better education and health, and can and better education and health, and can help protect biodiversity by concentrating help protect biodiversity by concentrating people.people.


Cities are rarely self-sustaining, can threaten Cities are rarely self-sustaining, can threaten biodiversity, lack trees, concentrate pollutants biodiversity, lack trees, concentrate pollutants and noise, spread infectious diseases, and and noise, spread infectious diseases, and are centers of poverty crime, and terrorism.are centers of poverty crime, and terrorism.


Urban areas rarely are sustainable systems.Urban areas rarely are sustainable systems.Figure 25-8Figure 25-8


Noise levelsNoise levels of some common sounds. of some common sounds. Prolonged exposure to lower noise levels and Prolonged exposure to lower noise levels and occasional loud sounds can greatly increase occasional loud sounds can greatly increase internal stress.internal stress.



Extreme poverty forces Extreme poverty forces hundreds of millions of hundreds of millions of people to live in slums people to live in slums and shantytowns where and shantytowns where adequate water adequate water supplies, sewage supplies, sewage disposal, and other disposal, and other services do not exist.services do not exist.

How Would You Vote?How Would You Vote?

Should squatters around cities of developing Should squatters around cities of developing countries be given title to land they live on?countries be given title to land they live on? a. No. No one has the right to steal and pollute a. No. No one has the right to steal and pollute

public or private lands.public or private lands. b. Yes. The poor need homes.b. Yes. The poor need homes.

TRANSPORTATION AND URBAN TRANSPORTATION AND URBAN DEVELOPMENTDEVELOPMENT

Land availability determines whether a city Land availability determines whether a city must grow vertically or spread out must grow vertically or spread out horizontally and whether it relies mostly on horizontally and whether it relies mostly on mass transit or the automobile.mass transit or the automobile. If Americans doubled their use of mass transit If Americans doubled their use of mass transit

from 5% to 10%, this would reduce U.S. from 5% to 10%, this would reduce U.S. dependence on oil by 40%.dependence on oil by 40%.

TRANSPORTATION AND URBAN TRANSPORTATION AND URBAN DEVELOPMENTDEVELOPMENT

Motor vehicles provide personal benefits and Motor vehicles provide personal benefits and promote economic growth, but also kill and promote economic growth, but also kill and injure many people, pollute the air, promote injure many people, pollute the air, promote urban sprawl, and result in traffic jams.urban sprawl, and result in traffic jams.

Although it would not be politically popular, Although it would not be politically popular, we could reduce reliance on automobiles by we could reduce reliance on automobiles by having users pay for their harmful effects.having users pay for their harmful effects.

Solutions: Solutions: Redesigning Urban TransportRedesigning Urban Transport

Alternatives include walking, bicycling, and Alternatives include walking, bicycling, and taking subways, trains, and buses.taking subways, trains, and buses.

How Would You Vote?How Would You Vote?

Should half the U.S. gasoline tax be used to Should half the U.S. gasoline tax be used to develop mass transit, bike lanes, and other develop mass transit, bike lanes, and other alternatives to the car?alternatives to the car? a. No. Money needed to repair roads and bridges a. No. Money needed to repair roads and bridges

should not be spent on bike paths and other should not be spent on bike paths and other projects that few people would use.projects that few people would use.

b. Yes. Encouraging alternatives to personal b. Yes. Encouraging alternatives to personal vehicles will decrease pollution and save energy.vehicles will decrease pollution and save energy.

Fig. 25-10, p. 574

Trade-Offs

Bicycles

Advantages Disadvantages

AffordableLittle protection in an accident

Produce no pollution Do not protect

riders from bad weather

Quiet

Require little parking space Not practical for

trips longer than 8 kilometers (5 miles)

Easy to maneuver in traffic

Take few resources to make

Can be tiring (except for electric bicycles)Very energy

efficientLack of secure bike parkingProvide exercise

Fig. 25-12, p. 575

Trade-Offs

Mass Transit Rail


More energy efficient than cars

Expensive to build and maintain

Produces less air pollution than cars

Cost-effective only along a densely populated narrow corridor

Requires less land than roads and parking areas for cars Commits riders to

transportation schedules

Causes fewer injuries and deaths than cars

Can cause noise and vibration for nearby residents

Reduces car congestion in cities

Fig. 25-13, p. 575

Trade-Offs

Buses


More flexible than rail system

Can lose money because they need low fares to attract ridersCan be rerouted

as neededOften get caught in traffic unless operating in express lanes

Cost less to develop and maintain than heavy-rail system

Commits riders to transportation schedulesCan greatly

reduce car use and pollution Noisy

Fig. 25-14, p. 575

Trade-Offs

Rapid Rail


Can reduce travel by car or plane

Expensive to run and maintain

Ideal for trips of 200–1,000 kilometers (120–620 miles)

Must operate along heavily used routes to be profitable

Much more energy efficient per rider over the same distance than a car or plane

Causes noise and vibration for nearby residents

Solutions: Solutions: Redesigning Urban TransportRedesigning Urban Transport

Potential routes for high-speed bullet trains Potential routes for high-speed bullet trains in the U.S and parts of Canada.in the U.S and parts of Canada.


Case Study: Destroying a Great Mass Case Study: Destroying a Great Mass Transit System in the U.S.Transit System in the U.S.

In the early 1900s, the U.S. had one of the In the early 1900s, the U.S. had one of the world’s best street car systems.world’s best street car systems. It was bought and destroyed by companies to sell It was bought and destroyed by companies to sell

cars and buses.cars and buses. At the same time, National City Lines worked to At the same time, National City Lines worked to

convert electric-powered commuter locomotives convert electric-powered commuter locomotives to diesel-powered ones.to diesel-powered ones.

URBAN LAND-USE PLANNING URBAN LAND-USE PLANNING AND CONTROLAND CONTROL

Most land-use planning in the U.S leads to Most land-use planning in the U.S leads to poorly controlled urban sprawl and fund this poorly controlled urban sprawl and fund this often environmentally destructive process often environmentally destructive process with property taxes.with property taxes.

Smart growth can help control growth Smart growth can help control growth patterns discourage urban sprawl, reduce car patterns discourage urban sprawl, reduce car dependence, and protect ecologically dependence, and protect ecologically sensitive areas.sensitive areas.

Fig. 25-16, p. 578

Solutions

Smart Growth Tools

Limits and Regulations• Limit building permits• Urban growth boundaries• Greenbelts around cities• Public review of new development

Protection• Preserve existing open space• Buy new open space• Buy development rights that prohibit

certain types of development on land parcels

Zoning• Encourage mixed use• Concentrate development along

mass transportation routes• Promote high-density cluster

housing developments

Taxes• Tax land, not buildings• Tax land on value of actual use (such as

forest and agriculture) instead of highest value as developed land

Tax Breaks• For owners agreeing legally to not allow

certain types of development (conservation easements)

• For cleaning up and developing abandoned urban sites (brownfields)

Planning• Ecological land-use planning• Environmental impact analysis• Integrated regional planning• State and national planning Revitalization & New Growth

• Revitalize existing towns & cities• Build well-planned new towns and

villages within cities

Case Study: Case Study: Land-Use Planning in OregonLand-Use Planning in Oregon

Oregon has a comprehensive land-use Oregon has a comprehensive land-use planning process:planning process: Permanently zone all rural land as forest, Permanently zone all rural land as forest,

agriculture, or urban land.agriculture, or urban land. Draw an urban growth line around each Draw an urban growth line around each

community.community. Place control over land-use planning in State Place control over land-use planning in State

hands.hands.

MAKING URBAN AREAS MORE MAKING URBAN AREAS MORE SUSTAINABLE AND DESIREABLE SUSTAINABLE AND DESIREABLE

PLACES TO LIVEPLACES TO LIVE

There is a growing movement to create There is a growing movement to create mixed-use villages and neighborhoods within mixed-use villages and neighborhoods within urban areas where people can live, work and urban areas where people can live, work and shop close to their homes. shop close to their homes.

Cluster DevelopmentCluster Development

High density housing High density housing units are concentrated units are concentrated on one portion of a on one portion of a parcel with the rest of parcel with the rest of the land used for the land used for commonly shared open commonly shared open space.space.


Fig. 25-18a, p. 579

CreekUndeveloped land

Marsh

Fig. 25-18b, p. 579

Typical housing development

Fig. 25-18c, p. 579

ClusterCluster housing development Creek

Cluster

Pond

The Ecocity ConceptThe Ecocity Concept

An ecocity allows people to walk, bike, or An ecocity allows people to walk, bike, or take mass transit for most of their travel, and take mass transit for most of their travel, and it recycles and reuses most of its wastes, it recycles and reuses most of its wastes, grows much of its own food, and protects grows much of its own food, and protects biodiversity by preserving surrounding land.biodiversity by preserving surrounding land.


Principles of sustainability:Principles of sustainability: Build cities for people not cars.Build cities for people not cars. Use renewable energy resources.Use renewable energy resources. Use solar-power living machines and wetlands Use solar-power living machines and wetlands

for waste water treatment.for waste water treatment. Depend largely on recycled water.Depend largely on recycled water. Use energy and matter efficiently.Use energy and matter efficiently. Prevent pollution and reduce waste.Prevent pollution and reduce waste. Reuse and recycle at least 60% of municipal Reuse and recycle at least 60% of municipal

solid waste.solid waste.


Protect biodiversity by preserving, protecting, Protect biodiversity by preserving, protecting, and restoring surrounding natural areas.and restoring surrounding natural areas.

Promote urban gardens and farmers markets.Promote urban gardens and farmers markets. Build communities that promote cultural and Build communities that promote cultural and

economic diversity.economic diversity. Use zoning and other tools to keep the human Use zoning and other tools to keep the human

population and environmentally sustainable population and environmentally sustainable levels.levels.

chapter 25 sustainable cities. chapter overview questions how is the worlds population distributed...

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major urban areas

rural areas

urban populations

urban growth people

bus system

sustainable cities

bus routes

push factors