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How could cities be planned and managed to contribute to sustainable development goals? Fred Lee Department of Geography The University of Hong Kong March 15, 2012
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Why focus on cities in SD discourse? ~ policies aimed at achieving SD: - greatest leverage at city-level [why?] * rich countries: most people live in cities * production/ consumption: mostly in cities * high urban densities savings (materials & energy) * local govts: immediately accountable to constituents
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How cities could help achieve SD goals? ~meet human needs in cities without depleting environmental capital AND ~ improve environmental quality in cities AND ~reduce transfer of environmental costs: - to other people - to other ecosystems - into the future
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Cities: five environmental actions SD goals 1.control infectious diseases 2.reduce chemical & physical hazards 3.create a high quality city environment for all 4.minimize transfer of env costs to people/ ecosystems outside city boundary 5.ensure progress toward “sustainable consumption” of world’s natural capital
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Action 1: Control infectious diseases ~mis-management of public health diseases - emerging diseases - re-emerging diseases - why emerging and re-emerging diseases? ~cities: advantages for control of infectious diseases - concentration of people lower unit costs - concentration of expertise & resources
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Action 2: Reduce chemical & physical hazards ~industrial production + road traffic hazards - home: control indoor air pollution - workplace: control occupational hazards - neighbourhood: reduce risk from floods & landslides - urban: traffic management
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Action 3: Build a high quality city environment ~provide facilities pleasant & safe environment - sufficient: on per capita basis - accessible: for all city dwellers - responsive: diverse needs & priorities ~institutional barriers - middle- & upper-income groups * purchase/ rent: exclusive access to env provisions * reduced pressure for public action
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Action 4: Minimize transfer of env costs to city-region ~demand for resources & waste generation in cities impact on ecology of city-region - sewers & drains improve city environment * impact of wastewater on wider region - tall smokestacks: transfer env costs of power stations * acid rain damages on region’s ecosystems
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Action 5: Sustainable consumption: global natural capital ~important distinction between Action 4 & Action 5 Action 5: beyond city-region & into the future ~consumption in wealthy cities: consequences? - imports: transfer env costs outside city-regions - GHGs: transfer env costs into the future ~a North-South issue [why?] - concentration of high consumption HHs in North - much greater historic contribution by North
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Constraints on environmental actions ~Actions 1, 2 & 3: - whose responsibility? - who oppose such actions? - prospect?
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Constraints on environmental actions ~Action 4: - whose responsibility? - who oppose such an action? - “environmental racism” - institutional constraints - prospect?
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Constraints on environmental actions ~Action 5: - whose responsibility? - “green consumerism”/ “eco-labelling” - “fair trade”/ “ethical sourcing” - who oppose such an action? - prospect?
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How cities could help achieve SD goals? ~ meet human needs in cities without depleting environmental capital AND ~ improve environmental quality in cities AND ~ reduce transfer of environmental costs: - to other people - to other ecosystems - into the future
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