Urban and rural sustainability

Question 1

How can we reduce energy use for both heating and cooling

Answer 1

By taking into account microgeneration through solar panels and wind turbines whilst also looking into draft excluders, insulation and the glazing of windows to keep warm and cold air in the dwelling

Question 2

How can we increase sustainability using a smart grid

Answer 2

A smart grid will be able to monitor supply and demand of electricity enabling the urban town to have less usage and wastage of electricity and the production can be cut off in low times of usage. Also smart grids can facilitate the two way supply of electricity from dwelling from microgeneration such as wind turbines and solar panels

Question 3

High and low technologies solutions expected to see in the future in cities

Answer 3

• More energy efficient – Smart Grid, reduction in usage – change
  behaviours, less waste from recycling, application of independent energy
  solutions, e.g. micro heat / power generation.
• Reducing energy needed to heat buildings – zero carbon homes, building
  performance.
• Transportation – encourage alternative methods of transportation, e.g.
  cycling, walking, car share, integrated public transport timetables, greater
  use of bus lanes, financial incentives, use of video conferencing.
• Water collection – use of water butts, reduction in domestic and
  commercial water usage by financial penalties / incentives, metering,
  behavioural change.
• Increasing tree cover – plant more trees, designated green spaces.
• Urban green areas – greater designation of green areas, allotments.

Question 4

what is ➢ Energy use of heating / cooling and microgeneration (including the
use of smart grid technology)

Answer 4

• Reduced energy use for heating and cooling; passive ventilation; natural
  cooling; better insulation, glazing, orientation.
• Microgeneration of electricity (using solar power and micro wind linked
  via smart grid) and heat pumps, biomass etc.

Question 5

what is ➢ Integrated and flexible transport facilities / versatile buildings;

Answer 5

• Public transport, cycling, walking, park and ride etc.
• Lower cost and more comfortable and versatile buildings / design for
  reuse etc.

Question 6

➢ Waste management / land use (brownfield sites)

Answer 6

• Planned waste management systems that deal with the waste source
  (e.g. waste management strategies, recycling, composting, biomass etc).
• The reuse of brownfield sites (e.g. building on previously developed land)

Question 7

➢ Dealing with water shortages / sustainable urban drainage.

Answer 7

• Systems to deal with water shortage (e.g. managing water shortage,
  water metering, low water usage sanitaryware, rainwater harvesting,
  greywater recycling, etc
• sustainable urban drainage systems

Question 8

➢ Green spaces – environmental benefits

Answer 8

• Using green spaces to moderate the urban heat island (e.g. using trees
  to create shade / local microclimate / heat sinks).
• Using green spaces that work for people and wildlife, for examples food
  production in urban areas.

Question 9

what are the various issues that
underpin the development of sustainable rural communities.

Answer 9

• The economic cost and environmental impacts of linking isolated dwellings
  to water, waste, energy supply, communication and transport networks.
• Application of independent energy solutions using indigenous energy
  sources, for example biomass, agriculture waste treatment, wind power
  and small scale district heating solutions.
• Potential for use of local water sources (e.g. local wells / boreholes for
  non-potable water: reduced need for mains drainage infrastructure).
• Use of small scale waste water treatment solutions (provision and
  operation of septic tanks): reduced need for mains drainage infrastructure
  and waste water treatment: reduced occurrence of flooding.
• Benefits of local food production and consumption form environmental,
  economic and social perspectives (e.g. farmers markets, community
  gardens / allotments: more income for farmers and local communities;
  more local employment; reduced transportation and ‘food miles’)
• Impact of communication technologies to enhance accessibility to rural
  areas without generating new travel demands (e.g. availability of high
  speed broadband; video conferencing; working from home).