sustainable cities
TRANSCRIPT
Economic DevelopmentSince industrial revolutionIncreased demand on natural resources to provide food, water for drinking and agriculture, health care, etc.
Burning of fossil fuels - coal, oil, gas - to generate energy.
Release of carbon dioxide into atmosphere enhances greenhouse effect.
Average global temperature has increased by about 0.8 degrees Celsius since pre-industrial times.Expected increase of 3-5 degrees Celsius by end century if no drastic reduction in greenhouses gases.
Characteristics of Sustainable CitiesEconomically viable• Productive infrastructure – networks for transport, power,
water, waste, and connectivity• ‘Soft’ infrastructure – effective public institutions
Socially inclusive• High social cohesiveness and mobility
Environmentally responsible• Low environmental impact of activities• Mitigation measures to reduce ‘ecological footprint’• Adaptation to prepare for changing environmental conditions
Resilient to environmental, social or economic shocks• Preparedness to respond• Ability to recover
Infrastructure• Transportation• Cars cause congestion, air pollution and greenhouse gas
emissions• Public transport systems: buses and mass rapid transit• Personal transport: biking and walking
Infrastructure•Water Supply• For drinking, industrial processes, agriculture
•Waste Management• Landfills cause pollution of water sources, methane emissions• Recycling programmes and waste-to-energy facilities
Climate change
• Increasing temperatures and sea level rise• Increase in frequency and/or intensity of extreme weather events – heat waves, droughts, storms, and floods.
Building ResilienceAir pollutionSmog in Chinese cities and haze in Singapore
Measures: switch to gas to generate power, restriction on car usage
Building ResilienceRecent twin earthquakes in Nepal
Measures: better constructed buildings, zoning to avoid areas prone to landslides
Building Resilience
Typhoons and FloodsCoastal cities vulnerable to
rising sea level and storms
Measures: Jakarta plan to build sea wall with help from the Netherlands
Typhoon Haiyan
Planning for SustainabilityProcess of problem solving
Assess future risks and constraints• Vulnerability to hazards – typhoons, droughts, earthquakes, floods,
landslides and volcanoes
• Available resources – land, water, expertise, funds
Set goals
Evaluate options (technical and policy) and implement measures to• support a productive and green economy
• enable social cohesiveness and mobility
• mitigate effects of external shocks and facilitate recovery from such shocks
Monitor progress towards goals