Geo 3A: Sustainability of Perth and New York Flashcards
1
Q
Define sustainability
A
Progress and development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
Refers to four broad themes: social, environmental, political and economic that must be co-ordinated and addressed holistically to ensure the long-term viability of the community and planet.
2
Q
Define sustainable planning
A
The planning and management of urban environments so that future generations can enjoy the quality of life within such environments without being affected by social, economic, political and environmental impacts.
3
Q
Why is sustainable planning important in Perth?
A
- High priority in Perth – environmental issues resulting from increasing population growth and associated urban development have become more prominent and people are keen for these issues to be addressed
- Media influence regarding climate change, pollution and habitat destruction has encouraged people to think more about the future
- If sustainable development is not a focus of development then urban planners will continue and natural resources will diminish
- Increased car dependency and carbon emission, bushland (greenfields) removal and species loss combined with inequality in community housing and services could be a bleak future for Perth
4
Q
Why is sustainable planning important in New York?
A
- Growth – 1 million extra people by 2030
- Infrastructure – congested and ageing subway system, old and decaying bridge and road systems as well as water infrastructure (2 main pipes). Energy grid demands.
- Economy – mobility of people and capital has created a fierce competition among cities, creating an attractive city for global investment
- Environment – the need for parks and open spaces, contaminated brownfield sites
- Climate change – heat island effect, low lying susceptible areas to sea level rises (Manhattan) – 10 inch increase in the next 20 years
5
Q
Social factors that impact on sustainable planning an policy decisions
A
- Increasing population growth
- Changing demographics – ageing population
- Changing household characteristic – fewer people per household, fewer children, more singles
- Changing family structures
- Changing socio economic patterns
- Changing attitudes to the environment – climate action or inaction
- Reduced physical activity levels
- Increased crime statistics
- Social equity in accessing services
- Facilities and housing for all citizens – wealthy, low income, ageing
- Loss of amenity and social isolation in communities
6
Q
Actions and implications of social factors in Perth
A
- More liveable city by good urban design – Network City
- Isolation due to sprawl combatted by higher density living
- Activity centres with more choice of housing, lifestyle and employment and leisure options
- Many people don’t want high density development despite possible land value increase
- A cultural shift for Australians
- High density improves sense of community but expensive and not to everyone’s taste
7
Q
Actions and implications of social factors in New York
A
- Urban process of gentrification is a major social issue in New York.
- Blighted areas, especially waterfront locations within Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens have been targeted by developers wishing to gentrify or demolish factory buildings with condos.
- This has lifted the socio-economic status of some areas and has lifted rents and property values
- Forced lower socio economic groups from neighbourhoods they have lived in for generations = social dislocations
- The availability of affordable housing is therefore a major consideration and is linked with economic factors – e.g. Harlem in Manhattan
8
Q
Environmental factors that impact on sustainable planning an policy decisions
A
- The protection of groundwater catchments, waterways and wetlands from potential long-term damage
- Water quality and availability
- Pollution – air/water
- Climate change
- The location and amount of natural landscape that can be protected and to what degree – P: Bold Park, NYC: Staten Island
- Tackling problems due to past development including the deterioration of rivers, water quality, drainage, air quality and aboriginal heritage sites
- Preserving biodiversity and environmental heritage
- Supporting conservation zones and programs already underway e.g. P: Bush Forever Plan and the Biodiversity Project, NYC: One million trees program
9
Q
Actions and implications of environmental factors in Perth
A
- Reducing outwards development and urban growth that would impinge on biodiversity and environment
- This would mean housing density needs to increase – exceeding up, smaller lot sizes
- Car dependency would need to be reduced, cultural shift – public transport
- High costs of environmental plans – recycling facilities have large set up costs
- Conflicts to conserve bushland conflict with open space
- Network City highlights environmental concerns and states they are ‘of equal importance to economic growth’
10
Q
Actions and implications of environmental factors in New York
A
- The New York Green Buildings and Energy Efficiency Policy are both key elements within PlaNYC2030
- Both aim to reduce energy consumption and GHG emissions from new and old buildings, particularly skyscrapers within the city
- E.g. The Empire State Building has reduced it’s emissions by 30% through retrofitting
- Staten Island Bluebelt Program – preserves natural drainage corridors, called Bluebelts, including streams, ponds and other wetland areas.
- Preservation of these systems allows them to perform their functions of conveying, storing and filtering storm water
- Bluebelts also provide important community space and diverse wildlife habitats
11
Q
Economic factors that impact on sustainable planning an policy decisions
A
- It is important that businesses are viable in the face of urban growth and environmental conservation.
- Economic factors include those closely related to car use and urban sprawl
- The increase in oil prices and expense of transportation
- Traffic congestion and long commutes to work are inefficient in terms of freight and labour movement – productivity is impacted greatly
- Land and housing affordability
- Expense of infrastructure costs to service low density development
- Climate change issues – carbon taxes
- Major functions of the city
- Local and global economic conditions
12
Q
Actions and implications of economic factors in Perth
A
- Network City and Directions2031 have attempted to address these concerns by reducing the rate of urban sprawl and introducing TODs
- Activity centres are examples of the rezoning taking place to support this development – reduce traffic congestion, travel times to work and free up public transport systems
- Costly to implement in terms of investment in railways and public transport, often involves private investment
- Redevelopment of an area can lead to displacement of low income residents
- High density development can stain existing infrastructure which can be costly to upgrade
13
Q
Actions and implications of economic factors in New York
A
- The New York waterfront has and still is an important factor of the city’s economy. The revitalisation of blighted wharf areas (Brooklyn, South Bronx) have been balanced with upgrades to port facilities in order to target economic sustainability
- Willet’s Point and other redevelopments that have low proportions of affordable housing for low to middle income earners e.g. Hunter Point South 75% apartments targeted to middle income
14
Q
Political factors that impact on sustainable planning an policy decisions
A
- Pressure from votes about housing and the environment
- Pressure on new growth due to population demands
- Industry pressure to remain efficient
- Local government issues on RUF with land use conflict
- Bureaucracy in government
- Media pressure
- National and international agreements
- Current planning policies
- Views and political influence of stakeholders
15
Q
Actions and implications of political factors in Perth
A
- Network city adopts a whole government approach – difficult as many agencies involved, difference in levels of government and views of stakeholders
- E.g. Minister of Environment has a different agenda to Minister for Disability Services
- Policies such as TOD need local and state government partnerships with private and public stakeholders
