Urban Sustainability (AQA GCSE Geography)

Urban Sustainability

• Sustainability can be defined as:

• Sustainable urban living is about meeting those needs but also the environment we live in

Water conservation:

• Many cities are growing in regions where water is already scarce, and the future impacts of climate change are likely to worsen the issue

• As such, protection and conservation is important, which means reducing the amount we use but also reusing what is used

• Improve sanitation through sewage works, educate people on water usage and waste, improve or install water treatment plants, encourage low-flow flush toilets or use grey water systems

Energy conservation:

• Increase temperature: Electrical items in cities contributes to higher temperatures; encourage people to use energy-saving appliances

• Climate change: Cities consume a lot of energy; governments need to promote renewable energy sources instead of fossil fuels, which contribute to climate change

• Health: Coal power stations release huge amounts of pollution creating smog and Chinese cities are known for this, which leads to health issues for its citizens

Urban greening:

• This is the need for economic and environmental factors to be managed so that people can have a better quality of life

• Provide green spaces (greening the city) for families to use

• Minimise the use of greenfield sites and use brownfield sites instead 

• Involve local communities, which provide a range of employment

• Urban greening:

  • Reduces flooding: Vegetation and soil hold vegetation instead of it going to drains and then rivers

  • Increase biodiversity: Gardens and green areas encourage more insect and bird life in cities

  • Helps to reduce temperatures: due to the materials used in urban areas (e.g. concrete, tarmac, glass, etc.), these absorb heat, and this makes cities hotter than the surrounding countryside

  • Vegetation has the benefit of providing valuable shade and helps cool the city

  • Urban greening improves air quality: Vegetation such as trees act as filters, reducing air pollution and its effects on people

• Many companies are starting to adopt corporate sustainability and attempt to reduce their carbon footprint by focusing on how their business affects the environment

• Some methods include:

  • Reducing the amount of packaging

  • Recyclable packaging

  • Trading locally 

  • Using renewable energy and other low-energy devices (lights, monitors, etc.)

• Cities also need to be economically sustainable, or they can become bankrupt

  • Detroit, Michigan, became the largest city in US history (2013) to file for bankruptcy after its revenue fell due to a declining population, rising unemployment and a lack of property and income taxes

• Ecotown developments are another sustainable measure

  • Designed to reduce its overall footprint and encourage strong community ties

  • All homes have energy-saving measures, such as a community biomass boiler, free wi-fi to encourage working from home and less commuting

  • All homes have triple-glazed homes, extra insulation, solar panels, low-energy lightbulbs and kitchen appliances

  • Green spaces to protect and enhance wildlife

Urban Transport

Transport strategies:

• Reducing traffic congestion will reduce pollution and stress (nothing worse than being stuck in a traffic jam whilst trying to get to work)

• Encourage the use of public transport, e.g. self-service bikes, multiple-use travel cards, etc.

• Create bus lane priority to prevent hold ups and make them more attractive to use

• Promote flexible working hours or work from home

• Cities can invest in public transport; not only does it improve the efficiency and safety of buses and trains, but also reduces pollution and congestion

• Encourage the use of bicycles: Bristol was the UK's first city to promote cycling, investing in cycle lanes and supporting bike projects

• Promote car sharing to reduce congestion and improve air quality. Many cities have dedicated carpool lanes, which makes getting around the city easier and quicker

• Investment in Park and Ride to reduce car usage within the city centre and therefore, improve the overall environment

• Many cities have congestion charges for people who decide to drive into the city centre

  • London has a strict congestion charge and has reduced its levels of pollution by approximately 25% and stopped 13,500 cars a day entering the city centre

• Curitiba has introduced a number of initiatives to make it a sustainable city

  • It was the first city in Brazil to have a dedicated bus lane

  • 80% of travellers use the Bus Rapid Transport system and no one lives more than 400 metres from the bus stop

  • The bus fare is the same wherever you go and you can travel all day on one fare

  • Passengers can recycle plastic and glass bottles to pay for a bus fare

  • The city has also increased its use of green spaces and these spaces stop favelas from encroaching into the city centre

  • Flooding is reduced due to the parks and lakes. This saves money, lives and rebuilding costs

  • Curitiba recycles over 70% of its waste and the poorer residents of the favelas are paid for the waste they collect, not in money but in food

  • 99% of Curitiba's residents were found to be very happy with their city