Unit 2A - Urban Issues and Challenges - Sustainable urban living

Question 1

Sustainable urban living definition?

Answer 1

A sustainable city in which there is no minimal damage to environment and everything needed for sustainable living is good

Question 2

Sustainability definition?

Answer 2

Something that can be continued without causing harm to people or environment, now and in future

Question 3

3 main strands of sustainable urban living?

Answer 3

• water and energy conservation
• waste recycling
• creating green space

Question 4

3 ways of conserving energy?

Answer 4

• preventing use of energy for certain activities
• greater efficiency
• renewable energy sources

Question 5

4 ways of conserving water?

Answer 5

• collecting rainwater for garden, toilet, etc.
• installing toilets that use less water to flush
• installing water metres
• encouraging people to use less

Question 6

3 ways of waste recycling schemes?

Answer 6

• collection of household recycling boxes
• recycling facilities
• websites offering free items to be reused

Question 7

Name characteristics of a sustainable city? up to 7

Answer 7

• Environment is not damaged
• Resources are allocated fairly
• Jobs are secure
• Strong sense of community
• Local people involved in decision making
• Appropriate housing for all
• No traffic or pollution problems

Question 8

Urban greening definition?

Answer 8

Process of increasing and preserving open space

Question 9

Give an example of a park in Newcastle that provides open space?

Answer 9

Exhibition Park

Question 10

3 examples of energy conservation and where for each?

Answer 10

• Reykjavik, Iceland - HE power and geothermal
• Vancouver, Canada - 90% city’s energy supply from HE power, other 10% includes wind, solar and wave
• Copenhagen, Denmark - large off-shore wind farms, bike friendly, green roofs

Question 11

3 examples of water conservation and where for each?

Answer 11

• all buildings in Tianjin Eco-city, China will be water efficient
• East village, London - water use 50% less than an average urban area
• Curitiba, Brazil recycling water since later 1980’s

Question 12

2 examples of creating green space and where for each?

Answer 12

• Exhibition Park, Newcastle providing green space

- 28 parks and wooded areas in Curitiba, Brazil designed to be interconnected

Question 13

Name one sustainable way of managing waste?

Answer 13

Recycling it

Question 14

Why is it important to involve local people in decision making?

Answer 14

Creates a sense of ownership: they are much more likely to care for their city