2.9 The development of urban and rural sustainable communities

Question 1

Question;
The following statements represent some of the issues that need to be taken into consideration when planning for towns and cities in the future;

‘’Towns and cities will have to be more energy efficient and resilient’’

‘’Measures will have to be taken to reduce the energy required to heat and cool our buildings’’

‘’Fundamentally we need to reduce the length and frequency of vehicle journeys and there is a need for more integrated transport’’

‘’Rainwater needs to be captured and utilised’’

‘’Increasing tree cover by 10% can reduce surface temperature of a city by between three and four degrees Celsius’’

‘’Urban green areas can be a significant source of sustainable food’’

With reference to the statements above, discuss the types of high and low technology solutions that you might expect to see in cities of the future. {12}

Answer 1

Answer;
Indicative content;

 More energy efficient – Smart Grid, reduction in usage – change behaviours, less waste from recycling, application of independent energy solutions, e.g. micro heat / power generation.

 Reducing energy needed to heat buildings – zero carbon homes, building performance.

 Transportation – encourage alternative methods of transportation, e.g. cycling, walking, car share, integrated public transport timetables, greater use of bus lanes, financial incentives, use of video conferencing.

 Water collection – use of water butts, reduction in domestic and commercial water usage by financial penalties / incentives, metering, behavioural change.

 Increasing tree cover – plant more trees, designated green spaces.

 Urban green areas – greater designation of green areas, allotments.

Question 2

You have been employed as a sustainability adviser by the developer. Discuss the main characteristics that you would propose for this urban development that would link sustainability, zero carbon concepts and the role of technology. Your answer should include reference to the following issues;

 Reduced energy use for heating / cooling and microgeneration (including the use of smart grid technology).

 Integrated and flexible transport facilities / versatile buildings.

 Waste management / land use (brownfield sites).

 Dealing with water shortages / sustainable urban drainage.

 Green spaces – environmental benefits.

The quality of written communication will be assessed in your answer. {10}

Answer 2

Answer;
Indicative Content;

 Energy use of heating / cooling and microgeneration (including the use of smart grid technology);

 Reduced energy use for heating and cooling; passive ventilation; natural cooling; better insulation, glazing, orientation.

 Microgeneration of electricity (using solar power and micro wind linked via smart grid) and heat pumps, biomass etc.

 Integrated and flexible transport facilities / versatile buildings;

 Public transport, cycling, walking, park and ride etc.

 Lower cost and more comfortable and versatile buildings / design for reuse etc.

 Waste management / land use (brownfield sites);

 Planned waste management systems that deal with the waste source (e.g. waste management strategies, recycling, composting, biomass etc).

 The reuse of brownfield sites (e.g. building on previously developed land)

 Dealing with water shortages / sustainable urban drainage.

 Systems to deal with water shortage (e.g. managing water shortage, water metering, low water usage sanitaryware, rainwater harvesting, greywater recycling, etc)

 Sustainable urban drainage schemes (e.g. flood mitigation measures, SUDs).

 Green spaces – environmental benefits;

 Using green spaces to moderate the urban heat island (e.g. using trees to create shade / local microclimate / heat sinks).

 Using green spaces that work for people and wildlife, for examples food production in urban areas.

Question 3

Question:
The following extracts are taken from the NI Government’s Rural White Paper Action Plan regarding their aims for promoting sustainability in rural communities:

‘’A key priority…..is to promote access to key services for all rural dwellers…. Including the provision of public transport’’

‘’We will continue to support innovative ways of improving broadband quality in rural areas’’

‘’We will….provide financial assistance for householders in areas where no water main is near their homes…have access to some other wholesale water supply’’

‘’We will continue to work…to enhance the role of renewable electricity generation and support a sustainable green economy’’

‘’We will engage with ….farm families and the agri-food sector to find opportunities to increase the procurement of fresh, local sustainable food’’

With reference to the above statements discuss the various issues that underpin the development of sustainable rural communities.

The quality of written communication is assessed in this question. {12}

Answer 3

Answer;
Indicative content;

 The economic cost and environmental impacts of linking isolated dwellings to water, waste, energy supply, communication and transport networks.

 Application of independent energy solutions using indigenous energy sources, for example biomass, agriculture waste treatment, wind power and small scale district heating solutions.

 Potential for use of local water sources (e.g. local wells / boreholes for non-potable water: reduced need for mains drainage infrastructure).

 Use of small scale waste water treatment solutions (provision and operation of septic tanks): reduced need for mains drainage infrastructure and waste water treatment: reduced occurrence of flooding.

 Benefits of local food production and consumption form environmental, economic and social perspectives (e.g. farmers markets, community gardens / allotments: more income for farmers and local communities; more local employment; reduced transportation and ‘food miles’)

 Impact of communication technologies to enhance accessibility to rural areas without generating new travel demands (e.g. availability of high speed broadband; video conferencing; working from home).