GEOFF GHITTER, UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY SYSTEMS THINKING AND SUSTAINABILITY

SUSTAINABILITY AND SYSTEMS What kinds of things are we describing when we use the adjective “sustainable” Systems Relations between elements are the crucial focus of attention We are sustaining the relations between objects in systems Flows of energy, material, creativity, money

COMPLEX SYSTEMS Many moving parts which have rich interactions Non-linear (indirect causation, multiple causation renders system unpredictable) Feedback loops (system responds to environmental stimuli) Dissipative (needs refueling) Have a history (systems age as they evolve over time) Focus shifts from part to whole Hierarchically nested in time and space

MANAGING FOR SUSTAINABILITY Clayton and Radcliffe 1993 First post-Rio attempt to account and plan for the sustainability of systems that are complex

MANAGING FOR SUSTAINABILITY In Calgary this resulted in a flurry of activity Sustainable Suburbs Study (1995) Calgary Transportation Plan (Go Plan, 1998) MDP 1998

MANAGING FOR SUSTAINABILITY An example of a Sustainability Assessment Map (SAM).

WHAT IS THE MANCHESTER PROJECT? Conceptual design idea to transform a carbon-intensive, inner city industrial zone into a 21 st century sustainable, carbon- positive neighbourhood?

WHY MANCHESTER? Intensity of mix Proximity to centre Existing Infrastructure History and ethos Lack of residential NIMBY Relatively low-value building stock at or near end of lifespan Expansive, underdeveloped, inner-city land

THE SUSTAINABILITY VISION FOR MANCHESTER 2000  100,000 residential 22k jobs  35K+ jobs Mix of commercial/retail/industrial AND residential High quality internal mobility network and Transit oriented development (TOD) Life is rich without needing a car Abundant housing choice, much that is affordable to blue collar families

THE SUSTAINABILITY VISION FOR MANCHESTER Carbon emissions reduced 80% from 1992 levels (Kyoto targets are more ambitious than current policy ) District energy solutions (electricity and heat) Locally grown food Local solutions for the sustainable use of water and the sustainable processing of waste water

CARBON EMISSIONS AND URBAN SUSTAINABILITY

Ecologically sound Operates in harmony with natural systems Net zero housing, Vauban district, Freiburg, Germany

CARBON EMISSIONS AND URBAN SUSTAINABILITY Economically viable Jobs are maintained locally Infrastructure remains affordable (discourages urban sprawl) Industrial redevelopment, Hammarby- Sjöstad district, Stockholm, Sweden

CARBON EMISSIONS AND URBAN SUSTAINABILITY Socially just Housing opportunities across range of economic circumstances Accessibility to services for all income brackets High level of citizen participation in development decisions Vauban district, Freiburg, Germany

CARBON EMISSIONS AND URBAN SUSTAINABILITY Dense and compact Cost is lower and efficiency higher when the design is compact Vauban district, Freiburg, Germany

CARBON EMISSIONS AND URBAN SUSTAINABILITY Mixed-use Residential, commercial and light industrial are situated near each other Land use and transit planning is integrated Mixed-use neighbourhood, Laim district, Munich, Germany

CARBON EMISSIONS AND URBAN SUSTAINABILITY Transit- oriented Heavy emphasis on public transit Arabella TOD, Munich, Germany

CARBON EMISSIONS AND URBAN SUSTAINABILITY Vauban district, Freiburg, Germany Transit- oriented Minimize usage of private automobiles wherever and whenever possible

THE MANCHESTER DISTRICT

SYSTEMS THINKING IN MANCHESTER Held a workshop in May 2013 was held (65 diverse participants) to investigate the barriers and what it would take to convert Manchester to one of these “sustainable” places Express goal of the workshop was to integrate thinking from different system perspectives into a strategic action plan

SYSTEMS THINKING IN MANCHESTER Divided into seven “knowledge spheres” (subsystems) which were later united into a coherent statement of barriers and scenarios for confronting and overcoming the barriers Although new technologies are expected to play a role in future sustainability a lack of technology was considered a barrier to achieving sustainability

SYSTEMS THINKING IN MANCHESTER Seven “knowledge spheres” 1.Food, waste, water; 2.Governance 3.Land use 4.Energy 5.Transit 6.Housing 7.Industrial development

10 BARRIERS TO THE VISION 1.Planning System Inertia, Land Use Zoning and The Triple Mix 2.Infrastructure Financing 3.The Business Case 4.Entrenched Attitudes and Behaviours vis-à- vis the Private Automobile 5.Land Ownership and Fragmentation

10 BARRIERS TO THE VISION 6. Inability to Think Long-Term 7.Integration and Connectivity 8.Stigma associated with former industrial areas 9.Contamination 10. Governance

CONCLUSION Sustainability isn’t easy Collaboration and consultation; real listening Inclusivity, hear all voices Framework for integrating knowledge spheres (silos) Technology is not a barrier to sustainable urban redevelopment