Urban sustainability

Question 1

What is sustainability?

Answer 1

• Meeting the needs of the current generation without compromosing the needs of future generations

Question 2

Urban sustainability - water conservation

Answer 2

• Many cities are growing in regions where water is already scarce, this is worsened by climate change
• Protection and conservation is important: we must reduce water usage and reuse water
• Solutions:
• Educate people
• Install water treatment plants
• Use grey water systems (reuse water)

Question 3

Urban sustainability - energy conservation

Answer 3

• Cities consume lots of energy, governments must promote renewable sources over fossil fuels
• Fossil fields emit harmful gasses which are dangerous to health

Question 4

Urban sustainability - urban greening

Answer 4

• Needed for better quality of life
• Must provide more green spaces

Question 5

Urban sustainability - positives of urban greening

Answer 5

• Reduces flooding as soil and vegetation holds water
• Increases biodiversity as plants and trees encourages insect and bird life
• Improves air quality

Question 6

Urban sustainability - methods of urban greening

Answer 6

• Plant more trees
• Use brownfield sites instead of greenfield
• Corporate sustainability:
• Reduce amount of packaging
• Recycle packaging
• Trade locally

Question 7

Urban sustainability - urban transport

Answer 7

• Reducing traffic congestion will reduce pollution and stress
• Methods:
• Encourage use of public transport - through oysters and congestion charges
• Invest in park and ride schemes
• Create bus lane priority, making it more beneficial to use buses