1. Chapter 22 Dr. Wesam Al Madhoun
Sustainable Cities
Chapter 22
Dr. Wesam Al Madhoun

2. The Ecocity Concept in Curitiba, Brazil
Ecocity, green city: Curitiba, Brazil
Bus system: cars banned in certain areas
Housing and industrial parks
Recycling of materials
Helping the poor
New challenges

3. Major Population Trends in Urban Areas
Urbanization continues to increase steadily and the numbers and sizes of urban areas are growing rapidly, especially in developing countries.

4. Half of the World’s People Live in Urban Areas
Urbanization – creation and growth of urban areas
Urban growth- rate of increase of urban populations
Natural increase- more birth’s than death’s
79% - Americans and 50%- world’s people live in urban areas
Immigration from rural areas
Pushed from rural areas to urban areas
Pulled to urban areas from rural areas

5. Half of the World’s People Live in Urban Areas
Four major trends
Proportion of global population living in urban areas is increasing
Number and size of urban areas is mushrooming
Megacities – more than 10 million - 18
Hypercities – more than 20 million -1 :Tokyo
Urban growth slower in developed countries
Poverty is becoming increasingly urbanized; mostly in developing countries

6. Global Outlook: Satellite Image of Major Urban Areas Throughout the World

7. Typical Daily Traffic Jam of People, Carts, and Other Vehicles in Delhi, India

8. Urbanization in the US Four phases between 1800 and 2008
Migration from rural areas to large central cities
Migration from large central cities to SUBURBS and smaller cities
Migration from North and East to South and West
Migration from cities and suburbs to developed rural areas - EXBURBS

9. Urbanization in the US Environmental problems decreased
better working and housing conditions
air/water quality improved
better sanitation, better medical care
concentration in cities, reduced habitat destruction, protect biodiversity
Older cities
Deteriorating services
Aging infrastructures- streets, bridgeswater supply pipes, sewers,dams. Fallen $1.5 trillion behind

10. Major Urban Areas in the United States Revealed by Satellite Images at Night

11. Urban Sprawl Gobbles Up the Countryside
Urban sprawl – growth of low-density development
Contributing factors to urban sprawl in the U.S.
Ample land
Federal government loans
Low-cost gasoline; highways
Tax laws encouraged home ownership
State and local zoning laws
Multiple political jurisdictions: poor urban planning

12. Urban Sprawl Gobbles Up the Countryside
Effects of urban sprawl
Las Vegas 1973
Las Vegas 2000

13. U.S. Megalopolis of Bowash
500 mile long with 35 million people

14. NATURAL CAPITAL DEGRADATION
Urban Sprawl
Land and Biodiversity
Water
Energy, Air, and Climate
Economic Effects
Loss of cropland
Increased use of surface water and groundwater
Increased energy use and waste
Decline of downtown business districts
Loss of forests and grasslands
Figure 22.6
Some undesirable impacts of urban sprawl, or car-dependent development. Question: Which five of these effects do you think are the most harmful?
Increased air pollution
Increased runoff and flooding
Increased unemployment in central city
Loss of wetlands
Increased greenhouse gas emissions
Increased
surface water and groundwater pollution
Loss and fragmentation of wildlife habitats
Loss of tax base in central city
Enhanced global warming
Decreased natural sewage treatment
Fig. 22-6, p. 593

15. Urbanization Has Advantages
Centers of:
Economic development
Innovation
Education
Technological advances
Jobs
Environmental advantages
Recycling
Reduce stress on wildlife habitats
Save energy – mass transportation

16. Urbanization has Disadvantages
Huge ecological footprints
Urban populations occupy 2% of the world’s area but consume 75% of the resources and reulting high waste output
Lack vegetation
Vegetation destroyed –buildings, parking lots , roads
no absorbtion of pollutants, shade, aesthetic
Water problems
flooding, destroy wetlands,
severe water shortage

17. Urbanization Has Disadvantages
Concentrate pollution and health problems
Excessive noise
Different climate and experience light pollution
cities warmer, foggier,cloudier than suburbs and nearby rural areas
heat generated by industry ,heat -absorbing surfaces create URBAN HEAT ISLAND

18. Natural Capital Degradation: Urban Areas Rarely Are Sustainable Systems
Inputs
Outputs
Energy
Solid wastes
Food
Waste heat
Air pollutants
Water
Water pollutants
Raw materials
Greenhouse gases
Manufactured goods
Manufactured goods
Noise
Money
Wealth
Figure 22.8
Natural capital degradation: urban areas rarely are sustainable systems (Concept 22-2). The typical city depends on large nonurban areas for huge inputs of matter and energy resources and for large outputs of waste matter and heat and thus have large ecological footprints that extend far beyond their boundaries. According to an analysis by Mathis Wackernagel and William Rees, an area 58 times as large as that of London, England, is needed to supply its residents with resources. They estimate that meeting the needs of all the world’s people at the same rate of resource use as that of London would take at least three more planet Earths. Question: How would you apply the four scientific principles of sustainability (see back cover) to lessen some of these impacts?
Information
Ideas
Fig. 22-8, p. 595

19. Permanent damage begins after 8-hour exposure Earphones at loud level
Noise Levels of Some Common Sounds
Permanent damage begins after 8-hour exposure
Noise Levels (in dbA) 85 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
100
110
120
130
140
150
Normal breathing
Quiet rural area
Rainfall
Vacuum cleaner
Lawn mower
Rock music
Earphones at loud level
Boom cars
Quiet room
Normal conversation
Average factory
Chain saw
Thunderclap (nearby)
Air raid siren
Military rifle
Whisper
Figure 22.9
Noise levels (in decibel-A sound pressure units) of some common sounds. You are being exposed to a sound level high enough to cause permanent hearing damage if you need to raise your voice to be heard above the racket, if a noise causes your ears to ring, or if nearby speech seems muffled. Prolonged exposure to lower noise levels and occasional loud sounds may not damage your hearing, but it can greatly increase internal stress. Question: How many times per day are your ears subjected to noise levels of 85 or more dbA?
Fig. 22-9, p. 596

20. Life Is a Desperate Struggle for the Urban Poor in Developing Countries
Slums
Squatter settlements
Shantytown
What can governments do ?
slow migration from rural areas
designate land, supply clean water, composting toilets
transportation

21. Case Study: Mexico City
Urban area in crisis
Severe air pollution
Water pollution
50% Unemployment
Deafening noise
Overcrowding
Traffic congestion
Inadequate public transportation
1/3 live in slums (barrios) or squatter settlement
Progress – catalytic converters after 1991,no cars in central zone, no leaded gas, green spaces

22. How Does Transportation Affect Urban Environmental Impacts?
Combination of plentiful land, inexpensive fuel, expanding network of highways – dispersed cities, residents depend on motor vehicles for most transportation
Compact cities Dispersed cities
Hong Kong, China United States
Tokyo, Japan Canada
Mass transit Australia

23. Motor Vehicles Have Advantages and Disadvantages
Mobility and convenience
Jobs in
Production and repair of vehicles
Supplying fuel
Building roads
Status symbol
Disadvantages
Largest source of outdoor air pollution
Accidents: death and injury
Helped create urban sprawl
Traffic congestion

24. Reducing Automobile Use Is Not Easy, but It Can Be Done
Full-cost pricing: high gasoline taxes - $3.18/liter
Gradually phasing in, will spur energy – efficient cars and mass transportation
Europe, Japan, Developing Chinese cities
Difficult to pass in the United States
Strong public opposition
Mass transit: not an option in most cities
Dispersed nature of the U.S.

25. Reducing Automobile Use Is Not Easy, but It Can Be Done
Raise parking fees
Tolls on roads, tunnels, and bridges into major cities
Car-sharing
Charge a fee to drive into a major city
It is working in some cities

26. Some Cities Are Promoting Alternatives to Car Ownership
Bicycles
Heavy-rail systems
Light-rail systems
Buses
Rapid-rail system between urban areas

27. TRADE-OFFS Bicycles Advantages Disadvantages Affordable
Little protection in an accident
Produce no pollution
Do not protect riders from bad weather
Quiet
Impractical for long trips
Require little parking space
Figure 22.11
Advantages and disadvantages of bicycles. The key to increased bicycle use is the creation of bicycle-friendly systems, including bike lanes. Question: Which single advantage and which single disadvantage do you think are the most important?
Can be tiring (except for electric bicycles)
Easy to maneuver in traffic
Take few resources to make
Lack of secure bike parking
Fig , p. 600

28. TRADE-OFFS Mass Transit Rail Advantages Disadvantages
Expensive to build and maintain
Uses less energy and produces less air pollution than cars
Cost-effective only along a densely populated corridor
Requires less land than roads and parking areas for cars
Commits riders to transportation schedules
Figure 22.12
Advantages and disadvantages of mass transit rail systems in urban areas. Question: Which single advantage and which single disadvantage do you think are the most important?
Causes fewer injuries and deaths than cars
Can cause noise and vibration for nearby residents
Reduces car congestion in cities
Fig , p. 600

29. TRADE-OFFS Buses Advantages Disadvantages Can be rerouted as needed
Can lose money because they need low fares to attract riders
Can get caught in traffic and add to pollution
Cost less to develop and maintain than heavy-rail system
Figure 22.13
Advantages and disadvantages of bus rapid transit (BRT) and conventional bus systems in urban areas. Question: Which single advantage and which single disadvantage do you think are the most important?
Commits riders to transportation schedules
Can greatly reduce car use and air pollution
Noisy
Fig , p. 601

30. TRADE-OFFS Rapid Rail Advantages Disadvantages
Can reduce travel by car or plane
Expensive to run and maintain
Must operate along heavily used routes to be profitable
Ideal for trips of 200–1,000 kilometers (120–620 miles)
Figure 22.14
Advantages and disadvantages of rapid-rail systems between urban areas. Question: Which single advantage and which single disadvantage do you think are the most important?
Much more energy efficient per rider than a car or plane
Causes noise and vibration for nearby residents
Fig , p. 601

31. Potential Routes for High-Speed Bullet Trains in the U.S./Canada

32. Case Study: Destroying a Great Mass Transit System in the United States
National City Lines
Purchased and dismantled streetcar systems
Sales of cars and buses increased
Guilty of conspiracy

33. How Important Is Urban Land Use Planning?
Urban land-use planning can help to reduce uncontrolled sprawl and slow the resulting degradation of air, water, land, biodiversity, and other natural resources.

34. Conventional Land-Use Planning
Encourages future population growth
Economic development
Revenues: property taxes
Environmental and social consequences
Zoning – various parcels of land are designated for various uses
Mixed-use zoning – promoting neighborhood grocery stores

35. Smart Growth works Smart growth Reduces dependence on cars
Controls and directs sprawl
Cuts wasteful resource
US cities –
Portland, Oregon, greenest city in the US
San Francisco, CA
Curitiba, Brazil
China 80% of country’s arable land designated as fundamental land
Europe-high gas tax

36. SOLUTIONS Smart Growth Tools Limits and Regulations Protection Taxes
Preserve existing open space
Buy new open space
Limit building permits
Buy development rights that prohibit certain types of development on land parcels
Urban growth boundaries
Greenbelts around cities
Public review of new development
Taxes
Zoning
Tax land, not buildings
Tax land on value of actual use (such as forest and agriculture) instead of on highest value as developed land
Encourage mixed use of housing and small businesses
Concentrate development along mass transportation routes
Tax Breaks
For owners agreeing not to allow certain types of development (conservation easements)
Promote high-density cluster housing developments
Figure 22.16
Smart growth or new urbanism tools that are used to control urban growth and sprawl. Questions: Which five of these tools do you think are the most important ways to prevent or control urban sprawl? Which, if any, of these tools are used in your community?
For cleaning up and developing abandoned urban sites (brownfields)
Planning
Ecological land-use planning
Revitalization and New Growth
Environmental impact analysis
Revitalize existing towns and cities
Integrated regional planning
Build well-planned new towns and villages within cities
State and national planning
Fig , p. 603

37. Preserving and Using Open Space
Urban growth boundary
U.S. states: Washington, Oregon, and Tennessee
Municipal parks
U.S. cities: New York City and San Francisco
Greenbelts
Canadian cities: Vancouver and Toronto
Western European cities
Central Park, New York

38. How Can Cities Become More Sustainable and Livable?
An ecocity allows people to: choose walking, biking, or mass transit for most transportation needs; recycle or reuse most of their wastes; grow much of their food; and protect biodiversity by preserving surrounding land.

39. New Urbanism Is Growing
Conventional housing development
Cluster development – high density housing clustered, rest of the land is common shared space
New urbanism, old villageism
Walkability
Mixed-use and diversity
Quality urban design
Environmental sustainability
Smart transportation
Mayfaire, Wilmington,NC ; Yardley, PA ; Kentlands, Gaithersburg MD and others

40. Conventional and Cluster Housing Developments

41. The Ecocity Concept: Cities for People Not Cars
Ecocities or green cities
Build and redesign for people
Use renewable energy resources
Recycle and purify water
Use energy and matter resources efficiently
Prevent pollution and reduce waste
Recycle, reuse and compost municipal waste
Protect and support biodiversity
Urban gardens; farmers markets
Zoning and other tools for sustainability

42. Urban Indoor Farming Rooftop greenhouses
Sun Works: designs energy-efficient greenhouses
Hydroponic gardens
Skyscraper farms
Ecological advantages and disadvantages

43. China’s Vision for an Ecocity
2008: Dongtan, China, ecocity, 30 milesfrom Shanghai. 80,000 people by 2020
Carbon neutral city: use renewable resources for energy
Reduce the need for cars, or use electric- or hydrogen-powered cars-zero tail pipe emissions. Cars running on fossil fuels will have to be parked outside the city
Public transportation – electric light rail, pollution free, fuel cell buses

44. The Ecovillage Movement Is Growing
Eco-hoods – 375 , half in Europe and half in North America
1993: ecovillage in Los Angeles, CA, U.S.
What is making it work?
Other ecovillages Asheville NC, Ithaca NY
Success stories