Sustainability Flashcards
Ecological footprint
How much space do we need for our way of life?
Sustainable development
The process in order to keep in the limits of the earth
- environmental
- economical
- social
What are the main challenges for the Netherlands?
- compact city
- health and hygiene
- energy transition
- climate change
What are the effects of sprawl?
- nature and open spaces (loss of biodiversity, loss of open (recreational) space)
- build-up areas (water permeability, heat generation)
- lower density (more expensive utilities, more car-dependency)
Compact cities
- less car-dependency
- low emissions
- reduced energy consumption
- better public transport services
- increased overall accessibility
- re-use of infrastructure and previously developed land
- rejuvenation of existing urban areas and urban vitality
- high quality of life
- preservation of green space
- milieu for enhancing business and trading activities
Limits to compact cities
- too dense = less liveable
- concentrate people and pollution in the same place
Environmental planning
Use spatial planning to aid the environment:
- compact cities
- zoning: tapering effects (further away from the action = less influence)
- reduce/prevent pollution (compact city, transit oriented development, sewage and waste management, protected areas, prohibit/; control activities, nitrogen)
- redevelop nature
Energy transition
Go from fossil fuels to renewables
Fossil fuel system
- mostly underground
- higher energy density
- easy to transport
Renewable energy system
- above ground and visible
- need more space
- You have to change the existing physical structure
Challenges for the energy transition
- spatial constraints (more space and change the physical structure)
- citizen engagement (who will pay, who will benefit, how fast)
Climate adaptation
- urban actions (green roofs, water buffers, get rid of stond surfaces, living on water)
- room for the river (increase discharge capacity, remove barriers, overflow areas)
- coastal defense (raise dikes, dams, sand replenishments, nature based solutions)
Uncertainties
- global CO2 policies
- scientific knowledge
- climate system
- engineering capacities
- capacity to act
Certainties
- spatial planners should keep this in mind
- cities and landscapes will change
- people will respond to policies
Threats to the environment
- population change (age, expanding, shrinking)
- change in land-use (urbanisation
Equity
Concept of fairness in economics
Precautionary principle
If there’s a possible environmental threat then the decision should be made with caution
