Lesson 10.3 Sustainable Cities

More than 600 “new urbanist” communities are planned or in construction across North America.

Do now page 103:

Explain how urban

areas could

continue to develop

without using up

more land and

destroying habitats

City Planning and Zoning

• City planners attempt to design cities that both work well and look and feel appealing.

• Zoning: Classification of land areas for different types of development and land use• An area can be

mixed use or single use.

• Involves restrictions on the use of private land

Lesson 10.3 Sustainable Cities

Urban Growth Boundaries (UGBs)

• A line drawn around a city to

separate urban areas from

rural areas, with limited

permission for development

• Advantages: Saves 20% in

infrastructure costs compared

with sprawl; decreases per capita

land use; promotes economic

development within the city

• Disadvantages: Does not

completely stop sprawl; limits

rights of private landowners

Lesson 10.3 Sustainable Cities

Smart Growth

• Focuses on economic and environmental approaches to avoiding sprawl

•Builds “up,” not “out”

•Maintains open spaces by redeveloping existing urban areas, waterfronts, and industrial sites

Lesson 10.3 Sustainable Cities

“New Urbanism”

• Seeks to design neighborhoods that minimize the need to drive

•Requires good public transportation systems

• Sometimes impossible due to zoning restrictions

Lesson 10.3 Sustainable Cities

Did You Know? A 2004 study found that residents of sprawling areas were heavier on average for their height, and had increased instances of high blood pressure.

• Public transportation a key factor in the quality of urban life

• Buses, subways, trains more efficient, less polluting than cars

•Cities encourage mass transit with fuel taxes, vehicle taxes, rewarding carpoolers, and encouraging bicycle and bus use.

Transportation Options

Lesson 10.3 Sustainable Cities

Did You Know? Paris, France

removed 200,000 parking spaces

to encourage the use of public

transportation within the city.

Open Space• Provides greenery, beauty, freedom of movement,

recreation opportunities

• Includes parks, playgrounds, community gardens, greenways

•Regulates climate, produces oxygen, filters air and water, provides habitat

Lesson 10.3 Sustainable Cities

Did You Know? More than 24,000 km of abandoned public rail line in the U.S. have been converted to trails for walking, jogging, and biking.

Green Building Design

• The goals of a green

building are to save

energy and resources

without sacrificing

people’s comfort.

• Ashland High School

near Boston,

Massachusetts is a

sophisticated green

building that saves the

school system more

than $75,000 a year in

energy costs.

Lesson 10.3 Sustainable Cities

Urban Sustainability Successes

•Curitiba, Brazil

• Efficient bus network

• Recycling and environmental

education provided

•New York City

• Plan underway to reduce

greenhouse gas emissions,

improve public transit, plant

trees, clean up polluted sites,

and improve open space access

Lesson 10.3 Sustainable Cities

The tube at this Curitiba bus stop handles fare

collection for passengers boarding or exiting.

Tiny House offers big benefits to save energy and money

1. What do the people in the Tiny House Movement believe?

2. What kind of energy do they live off of?

3. What is the key to making a tiny house?

Tiny House Tour at Stunning Waterfront Off-Grid Resort

1. What renewable energy source do they use, and for what?

2. How does the toilet work?

3. What is the insulation made of?

4. How do they keep track of water usage?

5. How are the owners eco-conscious when showing guests around?