Sustainable urban environments

Question 1

Whats the definition of an ecological footprint?

Answer 1

Its the area of land/water needed to produce the resources a population uses and absorb the waste it produces.

London ecological footprint twice the size of the UK.

Question 2

What is a sustainable city?

Answer 2

A city which provides:

• Employment and a high standards of living
• Clean and healthy environments
• Good governance

Question 3

What are the features of a sustainable city?

Answer 3

1. Green and efficient transport- mostly public transport.
2. Green belt environments- use water/energy efficiently, produces low amounts of MSW.
3. Planned environments- focus on compact cities
4. Green space

Question 4

What is the case study of the sustainable urban environment?

Answer 4

Copenhagen, Denmark

Question 5

How is the city socially developed?

Answer 5

• Only 2% of employees work over 40 hours a week, this lowers stress levels.
• 249 miles of cycle lanes, more than 1/2 population cycle.
• Leads to 1 million less sick days

Question 6

How is the city economically developed?

Answer 6

• Economic and financial centre.
• Highest wages in the world.
• Low unemployment rates.
• Small businesses are dominant not chains.
• Reasonable rates allow businesses to flourish.

Question 7

How is the city environmentally sustainable?

Answer 7

• Targets set to be carbon neutral by 2025.
• Aim to produce more renewable than it uses.
• Served by integrated transport system.
• Large offshore wind farms
• Finger plan 2007 protects green belts to limit urban sprawl.

Question 8

How does the city have good governance?

Answer 8

• Highest taxation levels in the world to enable good welfare provision.
• Have direct public planning in legislation found in the city.
• High income equality.

Question 9

Opportunities to make cities more sustainable:

Answer 9

Several factors make sustainable development of cities easier than rural areas:

1. People are more densely concentrated so the provision of services such as public transport is cheaper and easier.
2. Understanding importance of sustainability has increased which encouraged research and investment into sustainable urban environments.
3. Governments may invest more into urban sustainability than rural as more benefit.

Challenges:

1. Requires significant investment by governments and private investors.
2. Many cities are growing so services need to rapidly expand to meet demand.
3. Some people unwilling to change habits e.g. driving less
4. Some cities do not have appropriate infrastructure e.g. Roads too narrow to build cycle lanes.