Environmental Science 101 Chapter 3 Urbanization

Urbanization - Basics Urban: Population > *2,500+ with a relatively high density of people and structures compared to the surrounding area. Rural:An area not classified as urban (can include small villages and towns) Urbanization:The creation and growth of urban areas. Population Density: # people/unit area Urban Growth: Rate of increase of an urban population (% per year)

Urbanization - Facts  51% Word (79% USA)!  Growing Rapidly  It effects you (lame, but true)  Growing ecological footprints

(20%) → 2012 (51%) → 2050 (70%) More-Developed (75%) vs Less-Developed (46%) 88% of population growth will occur in urban areas 400 Cities: 1 Million+ 22 Megacities: 10 million+ 3 Hypercities: 20 million+ Increasing Levels of Poverty: 1 Billion → 2 Billion (2030)

Urbanization Benefits  Concentration of Services  Business, Industry, Colleges, Commerce, Technology, Arts, Entertainment  High Life Expectancy  Higher Education Rates  Efficient Services -Health Care/Family Planning/Social Services  Mass Transit/Recycling  Preserve Surrounding Wilderness

Urbanization Drawbacks  Large Ecological Footprint even though only 2% of Land area  Ex: London: 56 times size of city Urban Sprawl Resource Use/Depletion Urban Transportation Pollution and Waste Poverty 5

Think Critically

Urban Sprawl Definition: Spreading of low-density housing and development around an urban center

Centralized Urban Environment Urban SprawlRural Public Transportation Use of Cars Required Use of Trucks Required Energy Efficient Energy Inefficient Many Natural Areas Few Natural AreasMany Natural Areas High Density Housing Low Density Housing Where do you want to live?

Urban Transportation USAGermany 4.5% People/33% Cars/43% Gas Fastest growing source CO2 50% Land Use Traffic = waste time/stress Accidents

Resource Use and Depletion  Large Ecological Footprints  Water/Aquifers  Colorado River  Aquifers (25% overuse)  30% World (30+ Countries)  Other Resources  Forests  Top soil  Nonrenewable Resources (Oil, Metals)

Pollution and Wastes Input Resources Output Pollution/Waste Fossil Fuels Particulates CO 2 /Global Warming Acid Rain (SO 2, NO X ) 2.4 million/year 656,000 China 24,000 USA

Pollution and Wastes Water Chemicals Untreated Sewage Fertilizers Pesticides Municipal Solid Waste More-Developed Less-Developed Miscellaneous Noise Light

Think Critically Question: Are these problems Population, Urban, Lifestyle Issues?

Urban Poverty Definition: Set of conditions that people endure when they are not able to provide for their basic needs – shelter, food, water  Not limited to Urban Areas  Urban Areas amplify problem  1 Billion People!  Slums/Shanty Towns  High Density  Poor Locations  Unsanitary  Infectious Diseases

Example – Mexico City  20.5 million people  High Air Pollution  Cars/Factories  Climate  Geography  3 Million Lack Sewers  “Fecal Snow” → 100,000 deaths/year  Water Shortages  High Unemployment/Poverty  1/3 live in Slums  Decreases Pollution 50%-20%  Banned Cars  Phased Pb Gas  Mandated Exhaust Levels  Replace old vehicles  Public Transportation  Planted 25 million tree’s

What Can Be Done / Solutions Smart Growth Improved Urban Transportation Resource Use and Waste Improvements Pollution and Waste (MSW) Urban Poverty

Smart Growth Improved Urban Transportation Resource Use  Urban Planning  Planned Neighborhoods  Mass Transit  ↓ Cars  Example: Portland OR  ↓ Cars  ↑ Alternatives  Mass Transit  Bikes  Walking  Examples:  Netherlands  Mumbai, India  66% Lost to Waste  Recycling (Gray)  Efficient Use  Charge “True” Costs  Desalination

Pollution Municipal Solid Waste Urban Poverty  Rules and Regulations  Pollution Capture  Alternative Energy  Decrease Fossil Fuel Use  Effeciency  Incinerators  Landfills  3 – R’s (80%)  Reduce  Reuse  Recycle  Rural Poverty  Microloans  Safe Water  ↑ Aid  ↑ Technology  Site and Service (p. 80)

Eco-cities: Curitiba Brazil  # 1 Goal to ↓ Ecological Footprint and ↑ Quality of Life  3.2 million people  “Planned City”  BRT “Bus Rapid Transit” + Planned Neighborhoods  Recycling  Anti-poverty programs – poor earn money cleaning etc.  1.5 million trees 99% Would Never Leave!

Figure 3-18 p68

Figure 3-13a p65