Unit 2A - urban issues and challenges (3. sustainable urban development)

Question 1

How do cities impact the environment at a local scale?

Answer 1

• increasing air pollution
• water pollution
• flood risk
• generating large amounts of waste
• urbanisation causes loss of open space, = loss of habitats and biodiversity.

Question 2

How do cities impact the environment at a global scale?

Answer 2

• increased demand for resources such as food, water and energy. Pressure put on ltd. resources, leading to food, water and energy insecurity.

Question 3

how much greenhouse gases are cities responsible for?

Answer 3

about 60% of greenhouse gas emissions

Question 4

factors influencing a city’s ecological footprint

Answer 4

• wealth (consumption/waste production higher in richer cities).
• size of city (compact cities = easier to travel on foot/bike)
• quality of public transport (efficient transport systems decrease car use)

Question 5

individual’s ecological footprint

Answer 5

the amount of land needed to produce everything they consume, e.g. food, water and fuel, and to absorb their waste.

Question 6

ecological footprint of an area

Answer 6

combines the footprints of its residents

Question 7

Sustainability

Answer 7

meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs

Question 8

how sustainable a city is depends on its…

Answer 8

natural, physical, social and economic characteristics.

Question 9

Features of natural sustainability in cities

Answer 9

• renewable energy sources.
• produce relatively little waste, and reuse/recycle waste produced.
• walking, cycling and public transport produces less pollution

Question 10

natural sustainability

Answer 10

how the environment, resources and waste are managed.

Question 11

physical sustainability

Answer 11

how well a city is able to support the people living there.

must provide enough resources to support the population and let them be productive, .e.g have jobs.

Question 12

Features of physical sustainability in cities

Answer 12

• high quality housing
• secure supplies of nutritious food
• safe water
• energy for all residents

Question 13

Social sustainability

Answer 13

how people live together, their quality of life, and the availability of basic services, e.g healthcare

Question 14

Features of social sustainability in cities

Answer 14

• easy access to basic services, .e.g hospitals, schools.

- peaceful, tolerant, respect human rights and are politically stable.

Question 15

Economic sustainability

Answer 15

maintaining economic growth without causing long-term negative effects, .e.g environmental damage, social inequality.

Question 16

Features of economic sustainability in cities

Answer 16

• wealthy
• low levels of inequality
• little debt
• home to profitable, ethical businesses that offer plenty of well-paid jobs.

Question 17

liveability of a city

Answer 17

measure of how good living conditions in an area are.

Question 18

what affects liveability of a city?

Answer 18

sustainability

Question 19

Factors affecting liveability of a city

Answer 19

• job opportunities
• crime rates
• open space
• access to education

Question 20

why do people have different views on what makes a city liveable?

Answer 20

different factors matter more to different people

Question 21

factors that make sustainable development of urban areas easier than rural areas

Answer 21

• provision of services is easier/cheaper as people are more densely concentrated.
• improved understanding of the importance of urban sustainability - encouraged investment into research.
• Gov. may invest more in urban sustainability initiatives than rural ones because they benefit more people

Question 22

challenges of urban sustainability

Answer 22

• requires sig. investment, many cities can’t afford.
• public services nee to expand rapidly to meet demands of larger populations.
• some people are unwilling to change habits, e.g. driving less.
• some cities have inappropriate infrastructure, e.g. roads too narrow to build cycle lanes

Question 23

why is it harder to increase urban sustainability in developing countries?

Answer 23

urbanisation is happening at a faster rate, and growth is often unplanned.

Question 24

strategies to increase urban sustainability

Answer 24

• investment in infrastructure such as roads, water, sewers and services such as schools and healthcare.
• increasing renewable energy use
• making buildings more energy efficient
• increasing amount of green space
• improving waste disposal
• reducing water use

Question 25

Example of making buildings more energy efficient

Answer 25

low carbon housing developments, such as BedZed, London.

Question 26

Example of improving waste disposal in urban areas

Answer 26

recycling facilities, e.g. Vale of White Horse, Oxfordshire.

Question 27

Example of reducing water use in urban areas

Answer 27

• water meters and water-efficient fittings

- water butts on roofs, e.g. BedZed.

Question 28

sustainable city

Answer 28

A city which provides employment, a high standard of living, a clean, healthy environment and fair governance for all its residents.