The City as a System and Sustainability AP HUG

Opening Video BBC Building Better Cities for an Overcrowded World: the-cities-of the-cities-of-2050 As you watch, answer these questions based on what the experts say: – What are the greatest challenges we will face in the future city? – How do cities need to change? – What will the cities be made of? – How will we power our cities?

Introduction A system is a simplified way of looking at how things work. Systems generally include factors (inputs), processes (throughputs), and results (outputs). This systems approach can be applied to many aspects of geography, including cities.

Large Cities vs. Compact Cities Large Cities – Often considered to be unsustainable systems because they consume huge amounts of resources and produce vast amounts of waste. Compact Cities – Minimize the amount of distance traveled – Require less infrastructure (pipes, cables, roads, etc.) – Easier to provide a public transport network for – Reduce urban sprawl – BUT- if the compact city covers too large an area, it becomes congested, overcrowded, overpriced and polluted…AND UNSUSTAINABLE

The Rogers Model of City System The Rogers Model was created in 1997 It compares a Sustainable City (Circular Model) with an unsustainable one (Linear Model) In the sustainable city, inputs and outputs are smaller and there is more recycling.

The Sustainable City Sustainable City or “Eco-City” is a city designed to have minimal environmental impact. It meets the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations.

How to Achieve Sustainability The following steps need to be taken to achieve sustainability: – Improve Economic Security – Meet Social, Cultural and Health Needs – Minimize the use of Non-Renewable Resources – Use finite renewable resources sustainably – Preserve Green Space

Improve Economic Security People should have access to employment and an adequate livelihood If they are ill, retired, disabled or unemployed they should be entitled to economic security.

Meet Social, Cultural and Health Needs Housing should be healthy, safe, secure, affordable and within a neighborhood that provides piped water, drainage, sanitation, transport, healthcare, education and child welfare. The home and workplace should be free from hazards and chemical pollution

Minimize the Use of Non-Renewable Resources Reducing consumption of fossil fuels in housing, commerce, industry and transport Substituting renewable resources where possible. Public transportation should be promoted.

Use finite renewable resources sustainably Use only enough water that is needed Waste minimization and recycling should be encouraged People should be aware of the ecological footprint.

Preserve Green Space “The Green Agenda” involves providing and maintaining green space such as parks. It also means reusing existing urban sites or brownfield sites

Ecofeminism Ecofeminism describes movements and philosophies that link feminism with ecology. Ecofeminism argues that there is a connection between women and nature and that women are more likely to be nurturers and preservationists to earth.

Successful Local Programmes Reducing Pollution: The Hoy No Circula (car-free day), launched in Mexico City in 1989, saw air pollution fall by 21% in the first year.

Successful Local Programmes Recycling: In Curitiba, Brazil, 70% of households separate recyclable garbage and in squatter settlements, food and bus fares are exchanged for garbage.