Urban Planning (DP IB Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS))

Sustainable Urban Systems

Importance of urban planning

• Urban planning is the process of designing how land and buildings in a city are used to meet the needs of the population

  • It focuses on the best way to organise urban space to meet the physical, environmental, commercial, industrial, and social needs of all residents

• Effective urban planning ensures that cities grow in an organised and efficient way

  • This is to prevent issues like overcrowding, pollution, and inadequate infrastructure

• Modern urban planning aims to create sustainable urban systems that balance the needs of the population with environmental protection

  • In this context, sustainability means designing cities so they work well and fairly for people today, while also making sure they can meet the needs of future generations

Factors in sustainable urban planning

1. Quality and affordable housing:

   • Ensuring housing is available and affordable to all income levels is key for sustainable development

2. Integrated public transport systems:

   • A well-connected, reliable, and environmentally-friendly public transport system reduces the need for cars and lowers pollution

     • For example, Copenhagen, Denmark, has reduced car use by focusing on bicycle lanes and public transport

3. Green spaces:

   • Parks, forests, and other green areas improve air quality, provide recreational spaces, and contribute to the well-being of residents

     • For example, Brasilia, the capital of Brazil, was designed with a very large linear park running down its centre, promoting a balance between urban development and nature

4. Security and safety:

   • Creating safe neighbourhoods with reduced crime rates and effective emergency services

   • Good lighting, surveillance, and safe public spaces contribute to a secure urban environment

5. Education and employment:

   • Providing access to schools, universities, and job opportunities is essential for sustainable cities

   • Urban systems must plan for education and employment to keep the population economically active

6. Renewable energy and resources:

   • Sustainable cities aim to use renewable energy sources like solar or wind power to reduce reliance on fossil fuels

     • For example, San Francisco, USA, has invested in electric vehicle (EV) charging stations to encourage the use of cleaner energy for transportation

7. Reuse and recycling of waste:

   • Sustainable cities focus on reducing waste, reusing materials, and promoting recycling to minimise environmental impact

     • For example, in Singapore, waste-to-energy plants help recycle waste while producing energy for the city

8. Energy efficiency:

   • Buildings in sustainable cities are designed to use energy efficiently, reducing waste and lowering energy costs

   • Green buildings incorporate insulation, solar panels, and other technologies to minimise energy consumption

9. Water conservation:

   • Cities must plan for efficient water use and ensure water conservation practices.

   • For example, Dubai uses grey water to irrigate its green spaces, conserving fresh water resources

10. Community involvement:

    • Successful urban planning involves the local community in decision-making processes

    • This ensures that the needs and ideas of residents are considered

Ecological Urban Planning

What is ecological urban planning?

• Ecological urban planning treats the city as an ecosystem

  • This type of urban planning considers the interactions between living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) components

  • It focuses on:

    • Creating balance between urban development and the natural environment

    • Ensuring cities are sustainable, resilient, and healthy for both humans and wildlife

Key components of ecological urban planning

Urban ecology

• Urban ecology integrates green spaces and natural habitats into city design

• This includes parks, allotments, ponds, canals, and other areas that provide habitats for wildlife and improve air quality

Urban farming

• Urban farming refers to growing food within cities

  • This is often done in unused or repurposed spaces

• This Includes activities like beekeeping, horticulture, aquaculture, and city farms

  • For example, New York City has community gardens and rooftop farms that supply fresh produce to local residents

Biophilic design

• Biophilic design brings nature into the built environment by incorporating natural elements into architecture

• This includes living green walls, rooftop gardens, water features, and the use of natural light

  • For example, the Bosco Verticale (meaning vertical forest) in Milan, Italy, is a complex of two residential skyscrapers covered in trees and plants, improving air quality and biodiversity

Resilience planning

• Resilience planning focuses on designing cities to withstand and adapt to environmental challenges like climate change

• This may involve:

  • Vertical farming to produce food in limited urban spaces

  • Buildings on stilts to protect from flooding in flood-prone areas

  • In flood-prone areas, such as the Netherlands, some homes are built to float on water, adjusting to rising and falling water levels

  • Using natural elements like green roofs and permeable pavements to manage stormwater and reduce flooding

Regenerative architecture

• Regenerative architecture aims to not only reduce environmental harm but actively improve the environment

  • Building skins that clean the air:

    • Some buildings are designed with special materials or coatings on their exterior walls (known as building skins)

    • These filter and remove pollutants (e.g. nitrogen oxides) from the air, improving air quality around the building

  • Renewable energy sources:

    • Many regenerative buildings use solar panels, wind turbines, or bio-digesters to generate more energy than they consume

    • They are then able to contribute clean energy back to the energy grid

  • Bio-digesters:

    • These systems use organic waste (like food or agricultural waste) to produce biogas

    • This can be used as a renewable energy source for heating or electricity

    • They also create natural fertiliser as a by-product

  • Rainwater capture systems:

    • Buildings can collect rainwater to be reused for non-drinking purposes, e.g. irrigation or flushing toilets

    • This reduces the demand on local water supplies