Perspectives on Sustainability

Question 1

Specific Urban Health Problems?

1. Social Determinants
2. Epidemiological Side
3. CC

Answer 1

Social Determinants
Poor living in slums → lungs are more exposed to pathogens and diseases
Lack of access to proper sanitation → increased risk of NCDs and CDs
Poor people and low income families more exposed to indoor and outdoor smoke
Deprived urban areas contain workplaces that are more exposed to toxic hazards, noise traffic, risk of injuries and external pollution
Epidemiological side
Girls and women more vulnerable
Indoor smoke
Air pollution
No green spaces → less exercise
Fast food → smaller choice of healthy foods
Obesity
Littering
Poor people live in more polluted areas
Climate change
Temperature rise
No green spaces
Malaria, lyme disease
High ozone levels
Raise population

Question 2

What is a Sustainable City?
What are the 6 main characteristics?
6 cultural theories?

Answer 2

Urban centre/ place engineered to improve its environmental impact through urban planning and management. Imagine a city with a lot of parks, green spaces, more pedestrians and bikes than cars, solar-powered buildings and green rooftops.
6 characteristics:
Easy o get around without a car
EV charging stations
Provide access to public resources and green spaces
Improve water consumption and wastewater management
Support urban agriculture
Implement green architecture
Includes a dynamic variety of perspective
Involves a certain level of instability, being able to learn from surprises and adapt →cannot be a fixed sustopia

Question 3

Biophilic Cities?

Answer 3

Cities that has activities for its residents and tourists that involves enjoying nature and daly engaging and learning from the nature of that place, that keeps ecosystems healthy and helps them regenerate
Components:
Green green tops
Residents engaged with outdoor activities, daily contact with nature
Care more about nature
Bring nature into cities
Climbing, rock climbing, hiking
Mor sustainable and resilient

Question 4

Smart Cities

Examples

Answer 4

Barcelona:
City network of sensors that provides information about the citizens flow, information about weather, noise, environmental pollution
Garbage system of sensors that monitors garbage levels to not use too many plastic bags
IOF: interconnected web of citizens and electronic, internet services that provide functions related to PH, environmental health facilities and crisis management application -> it has been demonstrated that IOF cities have a better QOL, promoting eco-friendly activities, sustainable environments and connected healthcare services.

Question 5

What is the Healthy City Approach?

Answer 5

Health is very high on the political and social agenda of cities, strong movement for ph at a local level
Emphasises:
Equity
Participatory governance and solidarity
Intersectoral collaboration
Addressing determinants of health
Challenges:
Payment
Availability
Society’s willingness
Requires:
Innovative actions to address all aspects of health and livign conditions
Extensive network between cities across europe
Sustainability improves Health:
More green spaces→ more physical exercise
Better sanitation → less risk of Infectious diseases
Fresh air→ decreased risk of cancers and lung diseases → less pollution, toxic hazards
Better mental health
Awareness → better food, more exercise
More public transport → less hazards from toxic car society

Question 6

Existing Sustainable Cities in the EU? Maybe USA?

Answer 6

Tallinn
Has a development strategy Tallinn 2035, that contains the SDGs
Addresses carbon neutrality, sustainable food, climate plan,
Free public transport
Measures like stormwater management and remodelling streets
Grenoble
Lahti
19th century Paris, London, NYC
Paris redesigned so the civils can have more green spaces
London: Hyde Park: Lungs of London: fresh air etc
Victoria Park: made for stopping the spread of epidemics, personal rejuvenation
NYC: parks meant to improve mental health and overall well-being

Question 7

EU frameworks for a Healthy Urban Environment:

1. WHO EU healthy cities network
2. EU Green Deal
3. Urban Agenda EU
4. Covenant of Mayors (CoM)

Answer 7

WHO European Healthy Cities Network
Going on for around 30 years and links together 1400 municipalities
Their common aim is to engage local governments in political commitment, capacity-building, partnership-based public innovations
Interacts directly with WHO, that proies political, strategic and technological support
New Urban Agenda
Focus on polycentric strategy of diversity of urban areas in Europe, cultural, economic, historic diversity across Europe
Main themes are migrants and refugees, climate adaptation and sustainable use of land and nature-based solution
Covenant of Mayors
First initiative of its kind to address local authorities to endorse their efforts in implementing sustainable and climate policies and to provide them with harmonised data, methodological and reporting frameworks
European Green Deal Capital Awards
To promote and reward efforts but also to exchange sustainable ideas between cities
Has a record of achieving high environmental standards
European cities to serve as environmental role models for others and encourage sustainable best practices across europe

Question 8

Solution Models for Urban Sust?

Answer 8

Solution Models
Market based solution
Homeowner associations
Taxed based incentives
Awareness Campaigns

Question 9

What is Habitat 3 New Urban Agenda

Answer 9

3 Habitat New Urban Agenda
Adopted in 2016 in Ecuador by the UN Conference on housing and urban sustainable development
States that if well-managed, urbanisation can be a powerful tool for sustainable development both for developed and
developing countries.