Urban Sustainability

Question 1

Consequences of Urban Growth?

Answer 1

Housing shortages
Increased ecological footprints
Transport problems
Increased effect on climate change

Question 2

What is sustainable development?

Answer 2

Means growth in a way that lets the people living now have the things they need, but without reducing the ability of people in the future to get what they need.
Basically, it means developing in a way that doesn’t irreversibly damage the environment or use up resources faster that they can be replaced.

Question 3

What things can be done to make them develop in a way that’s more sustainable?

Answer 3

Build more carbon-neutral homes.
Generate more power from renewable energy sources.
Recycling more waste. 
Water conservation schemes.
Improving public transport.

Question 4

Give some information about the plans to build an ‘eco city’ - Dongtan, in China.

Answer 4

1) Carbon neutral homes- generatre as much energy as used using solar panels and being well insulated.
2) Renewable energy production- city’s designed to generate all its own energy, power provided by wind turbines, biofuels will be used.
3) Green transport strategies- the city’s designed to have very low emissions- no vehicles that run on petrol or diesel allowed, it will have a network of cycleways, walkways and canals, the public transport system will use low-emission vehicles.

Question 5

Give reasons why China’s plans for sustainable urban living might not be achievable.

Answer 5

1) There’s not enough governmental support for sustainable development.
2) It costs a lot and takes a long time to build more sustainable urban areas.
3) Even if all the plans were carried out in full its difficult to make existing urban areas sustainable.