Strand 8 Notes: Sustainable Cities

Question 1

Definition of sustainability

Answer 1

The ability of something to maintain or “sustain” itself over time. 3 distinct “dimensions”:social, economic & environmental.

Question 2

What is liveability?

Answer 2

This is the sum of factors adding up to a community’s quality of life. 5 factors (freshwater, food, housing, transport, healthcare, education, & a safe & stable environment.
How does this link to sustainable cities?: the concept of liveability seeks to utilise environmental resources for better living for urban dwellers.

Question 3

Define urban resilience

Answer 3

Urban areas that are able to cope with problems & recover quickly, allowing their core functions to continue in the future.
What is the ecological footprint?- this is a measure of the impact each of us has on the environment.

Question 4

Developing & developed cities

Answer 4

Developing cities:
opportunities- investment in public infrastructure & strengthening link between cities & rural areas. Universal access to water & sanitation/public transport & jobs. Local community recycling. Investment in green industry. Energy saving production renewable sources. Health & education facilities.
Challenges- public infrastructure; foster institutional capacity. Urban poor/disease risk. Youth unemployment. Waste/recycling management. No productive employment for older people.
Developed cities:
Opportunities- investment in urban development & decentralisation. Strengetnibg & widening of social safety nets. Upgrading public infrastructure. Extending the working age for older people.
Challenges- social cohesion. Urban unemployment because of economic crisis. Change over production & overconsumption, waste & recycling management. Pressure to health costs/pension costs.

Question 5

Curitiba, Brazil- key features of sustainability

Answer 5

Bi articulate buses (4000 people per day). Green roofs on buildings higher than 100m to absorb C02. 52 square meters of greenspace per person, one of the greenest cities in the world.

Evaluation of sustainability: 70% of Curitiba’s waste is recycled. The only (bad) thing is poor air quality.

Question 6

BedZed Ley features if sustainability

Answer 6

0.6 car parking spaces per home. 100 homes with 200 people. Majority of homes have their own garden. Reductions in waste saving stuff.

Evaluation of sustainability- 27% reduction in electricity, 36% reduction in gas. However, their ecological footprint is still greater than 2 & water is dumped because recycling facility is too costly.

Question 7

Sustainable urban areas

Answer 7

Aim to incorporate social, environmental & economic concerns. A Sustainabke city is therefore 1 providing employment, a high standard of living, a healthy environment & fair governance for all its residents.

Question 8

Sustainable development goals

Answer 8

1) no poverty
2) no hunger
3) good health & wellbeing
4) quality education
5) gender equality
6) clean water & sanitation
7) affordable & clean energy
8) decent work & economic growth
9) industry innovation & infrastructure
10) reduced inequalities
11) sustainable cities & communities
12) responsible consumption & production
13) climate action
14) life below the water
15) life on land
16) peace & justice- strong institutions
17) partnership for the goals.

Question 9

Urban water pollution causes

Answer 9

• plant sources, specific areas where pollutions come from, eg. Factories discharging effluent into a river.
• rainwater from roads, pavements & roofs
• domestic waste water from sinks, washing machines, bathrooms & toilets (sewage)
• sewage contains pathogens spreading disease
• effluent (outflowing of water) from industries