1.7.1 Sustainable Urban Development

Question 1

Sustainability

Answer 1

Meeting the needs of today without impacting on future generations.

Question 2

Liveability

Answer 2

The characteristics of a city which improves the quality of life for the people living there. These include the natural, physical, social and economic dimensions of sustainability in an urban context.

Question 3

Case study for Sustainable Urban Development

Answer 3

Copenhagen, Denmark

Question 4

How is Copenhagen socially sustainable?

Answer 4

• Better work-life balance, allowing for improved quality of life.
• Only 2% of employees in Copenhagen work over 40 hours per week.
• The government actively encourages cycling. The city has over 250 miles of cycle lanes.
• The harbour has been transformed from an industrial zone to a “cultural and recreational hub”. – The harbour’s water has been cleaned, allowing for water sports and swimming activity.

Question 5

How is Copenhagen economically sustainable?

Answer 5

• Copenhagen is the economic and financial centre of Denmark. It is home to a number of TNCs HQs.
• Copenhagen has some of the highest wages in the world and low unemployment rates.
• The city is home to many independent shops and cafes/small boutiques and local coffee shops.

Question 6

How is Copenhagen environmentally sustainable?

Answer 6

• Copenhagen has a target of 2025 to be a carbon neutral city. - Due via reducing emissions by half and offsetting its remaining carbon use.
• Has an integrated public transport system with trains, buses and a driverless metro.
• Brownfield site developments are encouraged (protecting greenbelt).
• In 2001, a large offshore wind farm was built off the coast of Copenhagen which produces about 4% of the city’s energy.

Question 7

How is Copenhagen politically sustainable?

Answer 7

• As a country, Denmark has one of the most generous social welfare schemes in the world, reducing inequality.
• Denmark has very high income and gender equality, and is percieved to be a fair and egalitarian society.

Question 8

Egalitarian

Answer 8

The belief that everyone is equal and should have equal opportunities.

Question 9

What makes sustainable development easier to achieve in urban areas than rural areas?

Answer 9

1) People are more densely concentrated in cities than in rural areas, so the provision of services such as clean water and public transport is easier and cheaper.

2) Understanding of the importance of urban sustainability has increased – this has encouraged more research and investment into how urban areas can be made more sustainable.

3) Governments may invest more in urban sustainability initiatives than rural ones, because they benefit more people.

Question 10

What are the challenges with making cities sustainable?

Answer 10

1) It requires significant investment, which many cities cannot afford.

2) Many cities are growing, so public services need to expand rapidly to meet the needs of a larger population.

3) Some people are unwilling to change their habits, e.g. driving less or using less water.

4) Some cities don’t have appropriate infrastructure, e.g. roads may be too narrow to build cycle lanes.

Question 11

Strategies used to increase urban sustainability

Answer 11

• Reducing the number of cars of the road
• Increasing the amount of green space
• Improving urban waste disposal
• Increasing renewable energy use
• Reducing water use
• Making buildings more energy efficient

Question 12

What percentage of greenhouse gas emissions are cities responsible for?

Answer 12

60%

Question 13

What is an ecological footprint?

Answer 13

The amount of land that is needed to produce everything an individual consumes, e.g. food, water and fuel, and to absorb their waste.

The ecological footprint of an area combines the footprints of its residents.

Question 14

What factors affect the ecological footprint of a city?

Answer 14

• Wealth – e.g. consumption and waste production is higher in cities in richer countries.
• Size of city – e.g. compact cities are easier to travel around on foot or by bike, so they produce less pollution.
• Quality of public transport – efficient public transport systems decrease car use, and therefore reduce pollution.

Question 15

What are the features of a sustainable city?

Answer 15

• Natural
• Physical
• Social
• Economic
• Political

Question 16

What is natural sustainability?

Answer 16

• Natural sustainability is about how the environment, resources and waste are managed.
• Cities with a high level of natural sustainability rely on renewable energy sources (e.g. wind). They produce relatively little waste, and reuse or recycle the waste they produce.
• Cities where people walk, cycle and use public transport a lot produce less pollution, so they are more environmentally sustainable.

Question 17

What is phyiscal sustainability?

Answer 17

• Physical sustainability is about how well a city is able to support the people living there.
• To be sustainable, a city must provide enough resources to support the population and let them be productive, e.g. have jobs.
• Features of physically sustainable cities include plentiful high quality housing and secure supplies of nutritious food, safe water and energy for all residents.

Question 18

What is social sustainability?

Answer 18

• Social sustainability is about how people live together, their quality of life, and the availability of basic services, e.g. healthcare.
• Cities offer good living conditions for all residents, with access to basic services, e.g. hospitals, schools etc. are within each reach.
• Socially sustainable cities are peaceful, tolerant, respect human rights and are politically stable.

Question 19

What is economic sustainability?

Answer 19

• Economic sustainability is about maintaining economic growth without causing long-term negative effects, e.g. environmental damage, social inequality.
• Cities with high levels of economic sustainability are wealthy, have low levels of inequality and little debt. They are home to profitable, ethical businesses that offer plenty of well-paid jobs.