sustainable cities (chapter 7) Flashcards
what is sustainable development
developement that meets the need of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own need
what is a city
urban area within a country
what are the features that make cities unique
- large population size
- built up area
- high population density
- range of function
explain large population size
(how it makes a city unique)
- cities have many people who live and work in them
- they have a large population size compared to other locations in the country
- countries use different guidelines to identify their cities (e.g. minimum population size)
explain built up area
(how it makes a city unique)
- the land is mostly covered by buildings
- cities have extensive infrastructure
- usually provided by the government
explain range of functions
(how it makes a city unique)
- a range of functions and activities
- e.g. administrative functions and commercials and educational activities
- provides a range of ammenities
explain high population density
(how it makes a city unique)
cities typically have a higher population density compared to other areas in their country
how to calculate population density
number of people living in an area / land area
definition of ammenities
facilities that allow people to live comfortably
definition of infrastructure
basic services
what is the relationship between cities and rural areas
- Cities rely on rural areas for much of their food supply.
- Rural farmers bring their goods to markets in the cities to sell.
- Rural inhabitants also go to the city for amenities that are not available in the countryside or villages e.g. Specialized medical care, University education, Goods that are only found in certain shops in cities
how do cities affect their inhabitants and their enviornment
- provide opportunities for inhabitants
- challenges (on the environment)
what are some opportunities for the inhabitants
- education and employment
- good location for businesses and industries
- technological innovation
explain education and employment
- Cities are centres for learning. They contain many educational institutions like vocational schools and universities that enable people to gain education.
- Education → useful knowledge and skills → Employment → Higher income → able to purchase goods and services for higher quality of life
explain good location for businesses and industries
Cities have good infrastructure, large populations (many workers and customers) and services available.
explain technological innovation
- High concentration of skilled workers
- education institutions and government funding encourages technological innovation.
examples of technological innovation
- shading
- transport
- vegetation
- building facade
- water bodies and features
example of shading
(+ explain)
sheltered bus stops and covered walkways → installed to provide shade and shield from rain
example of transport
(+ explain)
use of public transport → cycling, walking → help to reduce heat production from transport sector
example of vegetation
greenery on roofs and building facades → prevent sunlight from heating up the buildings
example of building facade
light-coloured surfaces → help reflect sunlight to reduce heat absorption
example of water bodies and features
ponds and pools in the design of urban spaces → help prevent overheating
what are the challenges on the enviornment
- water pollution
- air pollution
- competition of natural resources
explain water pollution
- water supplies in cities are often affected by improper management of household and industrial waste due to inadequette or broken sewage systems
- waste is disposed directly or leaked into waterways → water quality ↓
- threatens human and aquatic life
explain air pollution
- prolonged exposure to air pollution → respiratory infections (lung cancer, heart disease, death)
- poor health → ↑ demand in health care
what are the natural resources that would have competition
- land
- water
explain competition for land resources
- when cities need to accomodate for their growing population → expand to rural areas, replacing farmlands, forests, levelling hills
- cause unhappiness when residents need to re-locate
explain competition of water resources
- cities need to ensure continual supply
- this is compromised by competition for land → limits construction of expansion of reservoirs
- water catchment areas and ground water affected as more natural vegetation is converted to concrete surfaces
how can cities be managed sustainably
- environmental management
- improve quality of life
different ways to manage the environment
- management of physical environment
- reduce water pollution
- reduce air pollution through laws
- management of hazards
- use better quality materials
- land use planning
explain management of physical environment
- peoples actions and activities → large amounts of waste and pollutants (enviornmental footprint)
- this leads to pollution → reduces the quality of physical environment and sustainability
how to reduce water pollution
water treatment ponds
explain water treatment ponds
- when it rains → rainwater mixes with nutrients from nearby farms and flow into the reservoir → reduce water quality
- farms set up drains around their farm plots and water treatment ponds to channel and collect rainwater and access nutrients
plants such as _ and _ are grown in the water treatement plants to _
- cattails
- fragrant pandan
- purify water
explain reducing air pollution through laws
- cities have adopted the APPCAP → government to regulate peoples actions and industrial activities
- cities have implemented a license plate lottery policy → limits the number of new vehicles that can be registered
what does APPCAP stand for
air pollution prevention and control action plan
explain management of hazards
- impact of hazards ↑ through large population size, high population density and widespread builtup areas
- if not managed well → human cost of injuries and death + economic cost ↑
what are hazards
events that have a negetive impact on people and enviornment
what are the 2 types of hazards
- human included
- natural
what is human included hazards
arise from human actions or inactions
what is natural hazards
arise from processes in the physical environment
explain use of better quality material
- buildings need to be of good quality to withstand the threat of hazards
- hazard occurs → collapse of building, infrastruture damage, injuries and death
explain land use planning
planning agencies may disallow some of the uses and construction in unsafe areas to prevent hazards from happening
what is land use planning
making decisions on how land resources will be used
how to improve quality of life
- provide safe housing
- providing a variety of transport modes
- considering the needs of different groups
explain providing a safe housing
when housing is insufficent/too expensive → people build their own houses without permission(squatter settlement)
what are the houses usually made out of
(squatter settlements)
- recycled material
- plastic sheets
- wooden planks
- zinc sheets
where are squatter settlements found
- steep slopes
- along railway tracks
(unsafe locations)
explain providing a variety of transport modes
- more transport options → travelling around the city will be eaiser
- more affordable than cars
- enviornmental pollution in cities ↓ as cars on road ↓ → fossil fuel consumption and emissions ↓
what are the main transport modes
- land
- air
- sea
explain considering the needs of different groups
- many cities have ageing population
- ensure good quality → cities need to be designed with the elderly and disabled in consideration
- create a built environment that is safe + accessible for everyone
(e.g. pedestrain paths, 1.8m width)
