Challenges of Urban Sustainability (College Board AP® Human Geography)

Urban areas have large, growing populations and consume large amounts of resources at high rates

As a result, there are significant challenges to urban sustainability

These challenges include: 

• suburban sprawl 

• sanitation 

• climate change 

• issues of air and water quality 

• energy use  

• the urban ecological footprint

Suburban sprawl refers to the process where urban developments spread into nearby undeveloped areas

• These areas are characterized by:

  • single-family homes

  • low population density

  • significant dependence on highways and road networks

Sprawl results in:

• increased car dependency

• loss of natural and conservation areas

• strains on infrastructure and services

Sanitation challenges affecting urban areas include:

• aging infrastructure

• pollution of water sources due to untreated waste

• spread of disease due to insufficient sanitation

• inadequate waste systems in densely populated areas

Attempts to address these challenges include:

•  public health campaigns focusing on improved sanitation practices

•  government investment in modern waste systems

The impacts of climate change on urban areas include:

• increased frequency of extreme weather, such as:

  • heatwaves

  • cold snaps

  • severe storms

• rising sea levels affecting coastal cities

Extreme weather patterns and natural disasters can strain infrastructure

• Heatwaves and cold snaps can overwhelm heating systems and energy grids

  • High demands for energy can lead to blackouts

• Changing atmospheric patterns have led to more frequent storms, including hurricanes and tornados, which expose vulnerabilities in infrastructure

  • Increased rainfall can overwhelm drainage systems leading to contamination and health risks

• Rising sea levels and flooding threaten housing, infrastructure and freshwater supplies

  • Flooded streets and transportation systems disrupt the ability to deliver goods

Air quality in urban areas is negatively affected by emissions and pollution from:

• vehicles

• industry

• construction

Poor air quality contributes to health problems, which often disproportionately affect low-income communities

Water quality is negatively affected by urban runoff that carries chemicals and other pollutants into waterways

• Overuse of water can lead to shortages in some areas

Policies aim to counteract these challenges by:

• mandating emissions standards and water conservation

• preservation of green space in cities

Cities use large amounts of energy for:

• transportation

• the running of residential and commercial buildings

• industry

This energy is often produced using fossil fuels

Reliance on fossil fuels contributes to greenhouse gas emissions

Cities account for a disproportionate amount of the world’s energy usage

Sustainable urban design promotes the use of energy-efficient building materials and encourages public transportation over private automobile use

Cities have a large ecological footprint, consuming an outsized number of resources relative to their size

• This is caused by the high demand for energy and water consumption with a simultaneous generation of large amounts of waste and emission of pollutants

Urban sustainability initiatives to combat this excessive resource use and encourage practices such as:

• urban farming

• recycling

• the use of renewable energy sources, such as solar energy