1. Urban Issues Lesson 2

2. Learning Goals Learn about the concept of sustainability and apply it to urban areas; Examine the criteria used to identify a sustainable city; Consider the main issues of urban sustainability in Canada; Compare the differences between sustainable cities and those that are not;

3. Cities are becoming the centre of national economic growth Globalization, population growth, consumerism, inequitable distribution of wealth and other societal demands are having a signification effect on cities The Sustainability of cities is under pressure Decision-makers at all levels are faced with the task of how to resolve urban problems from transportation to waste management, from drinking water supply to the preservation of urban green space

4. What is a Sustainable City? Makes economic, environmental, cultural and social development decisions that do not interfere with the long- term operation of a city Maintains the well-being of the current and future generations Sustainable development: Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs

5. Sustainable City A city is considered to be sustainable when: It follows a development path where the present progress does not take place at the expense of future generations (i.e. bad planning, debt, environmental degradation…) There is an equilibrium between different issues. In other words, the goal is an across-the-board development, instead of handling issues one by one.

6. A more sustainable city has…A less sustainable city has… More compact forms of residential developmentLow-density, spread-out residential development Mixed land use; home, jobs and shopping in close proximitySegregation of land uses Employment based primarily on education and skillsEmployment based primarily on environment polluting or non-renewable resourced based industry Environmental friendly ways of transport: walking and bicycle and transit Heavy dependence on private cars Low impact energy sources such as wing and solar energyThermal and nuclear energy Tertiary treatment of sewage; use of natural means of sewage treatment Discharge of sewage into water bodies with low treatment level Protection and use of natural hydrologic systemsHard surfaces preventing infiltration Protection of wetlands, woodlands, stream valleys. Use of manure, compost, integrated pest management Destruction of natural landscape: use of fertilizers, manicured lawns Reduction of wasteLandfills, incinerators

7. Advantages of Sustainable Cities Cities become healthy, viable communities Help protect the surrounding area ecosystems Good quality of life, natural open spaces, reduced waste, equality, access, lower crime, sense of community, clean air and water quality, and environmental diversity Meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs

8. Sustainability of Sioux Lookout 1. Environmental Sustainability Goal: To reduce the negative environmental impact of municipal service delivery and to respect the ecological integrity of our environment. To be an example of responsible environmental practices and encourage environmental responsibility. 2. Economic Sustainability Goal: a. Municipal -- To provide efficient and cost effective services that meet changing local needs, and will provide long-term service, while maintaining the flexibility needed to address future challenges and opportunities. b. Community -- To encourage the development of a diverse economy with a range of employment opportunities where “local” and “value-added” are supported and valued and Sioux Lookout’s place in the changing regional and global economy is understood and optimized. 3. Community Sustainability Goal: To live and work together with respect, harmony, and collaboration so that everyone can enjoy a quality of life that meets their diverse needs and encourages their learning.

9. Check Your Understanding 1.Which of the following is not a characteristic of a sustainable city? a) Wind and solar energy b) Low density, residential development c) Recycling of waste materials d) Mixed land use; homes, jobs and shopping in close proximity 2. Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of ________________________ to meet their own needs.

10. Issues of Urban Sustainability in Canada Land use Compact (minimal urban sprawl) Transportation (roads, trains) Green areas Buildings (including a section on the successes and potential of "green building" projects) Industrial sites / eco-industrial parks Ecological footprint Zoning/planning Landfills

11. Urban Sprawl Poor land use policies are often a result of unplanned growth This leads to cities growing outwards and using the land that was used for agriculture. This is known as urban sprawl Urban sprawl is responsible for abandoned buildings, run down neighbourhoods, poor schools, pot-holed roads, the separation of economic/social groups and feelings of alienation and disconnection among residents and their communities in the city core

12. Urban Problems the lack of provision of affordable housing; the lack of sustainable transportation planning; the need to maintain and extend basic infrastructure; the need to protect and restore the environment in and around cities; the need for more sustainable use of resources through changes in consumption patterns; the loss of agricultural land; and the increasing income disparity http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzLWk0mORiQ

13. Social problems, such as poverty and crime, are mainly located in urban areas, and air pollution is now an immense health problem in some of Canada's larger cities - a problem that is expected to worsen.

14. Questions 1.What urban issue was identified as being the most important in Canada? a) Pollution b) Transportation c) Economy d) Land Use 1.The expansive growth of a city over a large area surrounding the city is known as... a) Urban sprawl b) Rural fringe c) Light pollution d) Bad planning

15. Questions to discuss How might the draining of marshland for urban development affect drainage patterns, the climate, and/or wildlife? What impact might an increase in population density have on sewage treatment processes and on nearby bodies of water? How have bodies of water been affected by increased runoff from paved areas? How might communities who use the water be affected? How do paved areas affect temperature?

16. Questions to Discuss In what ways might urban growth influence the type of policing in a community? What types of health care services might be needed in a large urban community? Why might they be different from those needed in a small town? How might the increased migration of First Nations people from reserves to urban centres have an impact on both communities?

17. Ways to Control Urban Sprawl Green Belts High density residential infill

18. Green belts Policy and land use designation to retain areas of largely undeveloped, wild, or agricultural land surrounding or neighbouring urban areas Invisible line, designating a border around a certain area, preventing development of the area and allowing wildlife to return and be established

19. Green Belt Purposes Protect natural environments Improve air quality within urban areas People use them for recreational purposes Sometimes development can “jump” over the green belt

20. Residential Infill Rededication of land in an urban environment, usually open space, to new construction Also known as “land recycling” The use of land within a built-up area for further construction

21. Curriculum E2.1 E2.2 E2.3