2.1 Sustainable Urban Neighbourhoods

Question 1

Development

Answer 1

• Development refers to the economic, social and political process which results in an improvement of standard of living for a population.
• Countries may be classified according to their level of development based on a combination of economic and social indicators:
  1. Economic indicator: Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita.
  2. Social indicators: Life Expectancy and Adult Literacy Rate.

Question 2

Sustainable development

Answer 2

Refers to development that:
- Meets the needs of present population by achieving high standards of living for all.
- Ensures the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

• Three key aims of sustainable development are economy, environment and society.
• An overfocus on one dimension may lead to other dimensions being overlooked (eg, economic development may overshadow environmental sustainability)
• The approach to sustainable development should vary from place to place and across time.
• It does not mean that all three dimensions of sustainability are always balanced.
• While all three dimensions should be considered, greater emphasis might need to be placed on one dimension over others at different places.
  Ex:
  United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals were introduced to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
  It is a shared goal that aims to achieve high standards of living and peace for current and future generations.

Question 3

How can urban neighbourhoods achieve economic sustainability

Answer 3

• Achieved by ensuring that a neighbourhood has a high enough population density, which support local businesses, and keep transport and infrastructure costs low.
• Local businesses are able to sustain themselves as there will be sufficient demand for their goods and services.
• Residents can also take up employment at these shops, earn income and increase their standard of living.
• Transport and infrastructure costs can be kept low within the community.
• Buildings and objects are usually located close to one another, hence residents need not travel far, transportation costs low.
• When schools are located near an integrated transport hub, students may opt to walk over a short distance to get to school, minimising their transportation costs.
• Transport infrastructure may also be located closer to one another, keeping the cost to develop transport infrastructure low. This is because connecting infrastructures need not be built or built over long distances. Hence transportation costs for residents are lowered.
• When a bus interchange is located next to a train station there is no need to build additional infrastructures (e.g. roads, bridges) to connect them, lowering the cost of development.

Question 4

How can urban neighbourhoods achieve social sustainability?

Answer 4

• Achieved by ensuring residents feel included and have a sense of shared identity.
• This can be fostered by having shared community spaces to promote regular social interactions.
• If the population size in the urban neighbourhood is kept small, it can facilitate regular interactions amongst the residents.
• Residents may come together to discuss issues affecting the neighbourhood and find solutions to various challenges.
• This builds resilience and positive relationships between residents, as this helps to maintain a culture of open communication, mutual respect and understanding, thus reducing misunderstandings and conflicts.
• A majority of the problems faced by local residents are day-to-day, mundane issues which can mostly be resolved locally with an adequate neighbourhood structure.
  Example:
• In Singapore, the Residents’ Networks (RN) was set up to promote neighbourliness and community cohesiveness amongst residents.
• Each neighbourhood is divided into smaller designated zones and residents are encouraged to join the network.
• Regular activities are organised at the designated zonal level to cater to the small population size in the zone.
• This encourages residents to voice their opinions and participate in decision-making processes regarding issues affecting their neighbourhood.

Question 5

Ways environmental sustainability can be achieved

Answer 5

1. Ample protection for nature.
2. Facilities that support waste minimisation and recycling.
3. Energy and water-efficient design approaches for buildings and landscapes.

Question 6

Ample Protection for Nature

Answer 6

• When there is ample protection for nature, wildlife can thrive in our urban spaces and human-wildlife coexistence can be fostered.
• Concerted efforts should be made to protect existing native species, habitats and ecosystems, and to re-establish species that once existed.
  Example:
• The NParks has developed multiple strategies aimed at safeguarding Singapore’s habitats and ecosystems for long-term sustainability such as the implementation of species conservation and recovery programmes.
• Biodiversity in urban neighbourhoods can be maximised by having a wide variety of habitats including street trees, pocket parks and roof gardens in the neighbourhood, instead of just having large uniform areas of grass.
• The types of plants and trees planted in an area should also be of different varieties and species.
• This provides adequate shelter and food for a wider variety of wildlife to thrive, thus maximising biodiversity in an urban neighbourhood.
  Example:
• The existing 44 Nature Ways in Singapore connects areas of high biodiversity across Singapore.

Question 7

Having facilities that support waste management and recycling

Answer 7

• Conveniently located recycling facilities and infrastructures such as blue recycling bins around the estates can encourage residents to recycle.
• Having a high enough population density in a neighbourhood ensures adequate waste can be collected and recycled in an economically viable manner.
• Waste recycling can be encouraged through neighbourhood-scale recycling activities organised by either the residents or the town council.
  Example:
• The town council may put up posters or banners to educate and encourage their residents to recycle properly.

Question 8

Energy and water-efficient design approaches for buildings and landscapes.

Answer 8

• Buildings and landscaping in urban neighbourhoods may be designed to be energy and water-efficient to minimise the use of resources.
• Smart technology and eco-friendly features can be installed.
  Example:
• Under the large-scale HDB Green Towns Programme, cool paint is going to be used in neighbourhoods to lower temperatures by up to two degrees Celsius, reducing energy consumption.
• Water harvested from rain is used for block washing of void decks and corridors to reduce overall water consumption.