1. Stewardship and Sustainable Development Making our Cities Sustainable

2. Increasingly, cities are becoming the centre of national economic growth and the attraction for new residents flooding in from rural areas. Globalization, population growth, consumerism, inequitable distribution of wealth and other societal demands are having a significant effect on cities, forcing them to make decisions that do not consider the overall common good. As a result, the sustainability of cities is under pressure.

3. 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. Making our cities sustainable requires that all people work together for a just world mindful of the common good for the whole human family.

4. What is a Sustainable City? A sustainable city is one that makes economic, environmental, cultural and social development decisions that do not interfere with the long-term operation of a city and maintain the well-being of current and future generations. This is not very different from the more general definition of sustainable development which is "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs" (The World Commission on Environment and Development, 1987 Our Common Future).

5. 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, etc., and does not export present problems to the future). 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. Source: The Regional Environmental Centre for Central and Eastern Europe

6. Main Issues of Urban Sustainability in Canada The following are urban issues that were identified by the International Institute for Sustainable Development in Canada. They are ranked by order of importance. 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

7. Land Use Poor land use policies are often a result of unplanned growth. This often leads to a need for more land around the city and hence, a city grows outward into areas that may be used for agricultural uses or other activities. This was a concept identified as urban sprawl. Urban sprawl often exploits prime agricultural land and is deemed 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.

8. If that is not enough evidence of how our cities need help, two recent Canadian reports to the United Nations also noted the following urban problems, among others: 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.

9. 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. Source: PRI Project: Sustainable Development, November 2003 Reading: Cities The Facts

10. Comparing Sustainable and Less Sustainable Cities Changes could happen over time that could make our cities more sustainable. These changes would require not only time to be implemented but also financial support, a change in lifestyle, and the support of the majority. Below is a table which outlines the differences between a sustainable city and a less sustainable city:

11. A more sustainable city has...A less sustainable city has... More compact forms of residential development.Low-density, spread-out residential development. Mixed land use; homes, jobs and shopping in close proximity. Segregation of land uses: homes, jobs and shopping separated into uniform tracts or concentrations. Employment based primarily on education and skills.Employment based primarily on environment polluting or non-renewable resource based industry. Less polluting means of transport: movement on foot and by bicycle and transit. Heavy dependence on private cars. Low impact energy sources such as wind and solar energy. Thermal and nuclear energy. Tertiary treatment of sewage; use of natural means of sewage treatment. Discharge of sewage into water bodies or water- courses untreated or with low level of treatment. Protection and use of natural hydrologic systems.Hard surfaces preventing infiltration; channelling natural water-courses. Natural open space; protection of wetlands, woodlands, stream valleys, habitat, etc.; use of manure, compost, integrated pest management, etc. Destruction of natural landscape; "manicured" parkland with exotic species; heavy use of chemical fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides. Reduction of waste; recovery, re-use and recycling of waste materials. Landfills, incinerators

12. Advantages of Sustainable Cities By promoting sustainable activities and approaches to everyday life, cities become healthy, viable communities for citizens. Sustainable cities also helps protect the surrounding area ecosystems on which cities depend. In many ways, the advantages to sustainable cities help promote the concept of the common good. A good quality of life, natural open spaces, reduced waste, equality, access, lower crime, sense of community, clean air and water quality, and environmental diversity are just a few favourable characteristics.

13. Advantages of Sustainable Cities The most important advantage of a sustainable city is that it follows such a development path that "meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." Who wouldn't want this for themselves or for the individuals of the future? If we are to leave a legacy, let's let this one be the one and allow society to endure through time, just as our creator intended.

14. 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

15. 2. Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of ________________________ to meet their own needs.

16. 3. What urban issue was identified as being the most important in Canada? a) Pollution b) Transportation c) Economy d) Land Use 4. 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