CUE - Sustainable Urban Development Flashcards
Sustainability
Urban development that meets the needs of the present without sacrificing the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
Ecological footprint
Measure of he demands we place on the ecosystems that support us. The amount of biologically productive land that is used to produce the resources we use and absorb the waste we generate
Liveability
A measure of how good living conditions are in an area
Carbon neutral
Carbon neutrality or having a net zero carbon footprint. Balancing the amount of carbon released with the amount of carbon offset
Eco city
A city that aims to provide a healthy environment for its inhabitants without using more resources than it replaces
What are the 4 dimensions of sustainability
Natural - how the environment, resources and waste are managed
Physical - how well a city is able to support the people living there
Social - how people live together, their quality of life and availability of basic services
Economic - maintaining economic growth without causing long term negative effects
What factors does liveability depend on?
Job opportunities
Crime rates
Open space
Access to education
What is the Global Liveability Index?
An annual survey of the world’s most liveable cities ranked across indicators such as healthcare, education, infrastructure and environment
Why is sustainability difficult to achieve in cities?
Requires investment which many cities can’t afford
As many cities grow, more services are needed (which may not be planned efficiently)
Some people are unwilling to change their practises
Some cities don’t have the appropriate infrastructure
What are the Sustainable Development Goals?
Created by the United Nations in 2015
Includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals e.g sustainable cities and communities where human settlements are made to feel inclusive, safe and resilient
Give some strategies for increasing urban sustainability
Reducing the number of cars
Increasing the amount of green space
Improving urban waste disposal
Increasing renewable energy use
Reducing water use
Making buildings more energy efficient
Give an example of a sustainable housing development
CITU in Leeds home to the Stormwater Sustainable Urban Drainage scheme
CITU homes have:
- Green roofs
- Rain gardens
- Beds of edible plants
- Triple glazed windows and insulation —> heating needs can be met with 100% renewable energy
- Solar panels which produce 400,000 kWh per year
