Eco City Design | SL IB Geography Revision Notes 2019

Strategies to Manage the Urban Ecological Footprint

The aim of an eco or sustainable city is to have the least possible impact on the environment
This may involve:
- Minimising waste
- The use of renewable energy and resources
- Conservation of non-renewable resources
- Green spaces
- Local community involvement
- Public transport
A city can be considered an eco-city when the needs of the present population are met without compromising the ability of future populations to meet their needs
The Rogers model outlines a 'circular metabolism city'
This model demonstrates how cities can be sustainable by being compact because:
- Minimises the distance people have to travel
- Reduces the amount of infrastructure required
- Makes it easier to provide public transport

eco-city

Roger's model of the circular metabolism city

An urban ecological footprint is made up of several parts, including:
- Carbon emissions
- Land occupation
- Water consumption
- Waste production
The footprint is a measure of the urban population's:
- Use of natural resources
- Impact on the environment from the use of resources

Copenhagen is the capital of Denmark
Located on the coastal islands of Zealand and Amager, it has a population of just over 600 000
With the aim of becoming carbon neutral by 2025, Copenhagen is regarded as a leader in eco-city development
- The target will not be met in 2025 due to emissions from a waste incineration plant being too high but the city is determined to meet the target in the next few years
- By 2018, the city had reduced emissions by almost 60%, despite population growth of 22%
- This has been achieved by:
  - Increased use of public transport and bicycles
  - Working with businesses to monitor and reduce energy consumption
  - Increasing the use of renewable energy (50% comes from wind and solar energy)

Only 29% of households have a car
Over 45% of people in Copenhagen cycle to work or school everyday
Introduction of more cycle lanes and cycling initiatives
- Some hotels provide guests with bicycles to reduce tourist use of cars
- Bike sharing
- Increased safety measures to make cycling safer
Sustainable districts which connect to public transport and bicycle networks
- - Formation of 'five-minute neighbourhoods' where residents can access all they need within a five-minute walk
New Metro City Circle Line to connect the outer areas of Copenhagen

Smart street lights are the replacement of old lighting with LED lights which increase or decrease in brightness as pedestrians or cyclists pass them
Over 98% of households are connected to a centralised heating system
Most of the city's electricity comes from wind energy
New buildings in Copenhagen have to meet strict energy efficiency regulations
- The Copenhagen International School has a solar façade
- More than 70% of hotels have some form of eco-certificate
- The regional headquarters of the UN have solar panels, rainwater recycling and a seawater cooling system