Impacts of Urban Cities & Sustainable Alternatives

UrbanizationUrbanization

DefinitionsDefinitions• Urban (metropolitan) area = town plus its suburbs

o City = large number of people with a variety of professions who depend on resources from the outside of city boundary

• Rural area = an area with a population less than 2,500 peopleo Village = group of rural households linked by custom, culture, family ties.

Historical utilization of natural resources

Urbanization & Urban growthUrbanization & Urban growth

• Degree of urbanization is percentage of population living in an urban area

• Urban growth due to:o natural increase - birthso immigration - poor are pulled to urban areas

or are pushed from rural areas

• Trends of urban growth:o Increase of 2% to 45% of people in urban

areas since 1850o By 2050 about 63% of the world’s people

will be living in urban areas.

Urbanization & Urban growthUrbanization & Urban growth

• The number of large cities is mushroomingo In 2001:

• more than 400 cities have over 1 mil. or more people. (564 today?)

• 18 megacities with over 10 mil. Peopleo London (11 mil), Moscow (13 mil), LA (17 mil)

• Hypercities (more than 20 million people)o New York (22 mil), Mexico City (22.6 mil), Tokyo

(34 mil)

Many of these cities are in developing

countries/areas and are

already short on water

and/or have waste & pollution

problems.

Urbanization & Urban GrowthUrbanization & Urban Growth• Urban growth is slower in developed

countrieso 75% of the people live in cities. But by 2030 it

will be 81%.

• Poverty is becoming increasingly urbanized- urban growth much faster in developing countries:o slums, squatter settlements and shantytownso At least 1 billion people live in crowded slums of

inner cities. No access to water, sewer, electricity, education, etc. 100 mil people are homeless & sleep on the streets.

• Case study - Mexico City

Mexico CityMexico City• The world’s second largest city with 18

million people or one in five Mexicanso severe air pollution (over 4 million cars &

30,000 factories) within a valley that causes an estimated 100,000 premature deaths/year

o high unemployment rate, close to 50%o high crime rateo over one-third (6 million) of its residents live in

slums (barrios) without running water, sewer (but running sewage attracting rats and flies), or electricity

o high infection rates i.e. salmonella, hepatitis

Advantages of UrbanizationAdvantages of Urbanization

o Population concentration impacts biodiversity less• 46% world pop in urban areas = 4% land area

o Per capita expenditures on environmental protection high in urban areas

o Centers of industry, commerce, and innovations in science/technology

• spurs economic developmento Better access to services- cost advantages to

government in delivering goods and services.• Public transportation networks feasible• Recycling more economically feasible• Access to medical care, family planning,

education, social services, shelter, and environmental information

Live longer/lower IMR than rural Reduced fertility/growth

Disadvantages of Urbanization IDisadvantages of Urbanization I• Huge ecological footprint

o Destruction of plant life - what is $ value?• Still consume large quantities of resources even though

only living on small % of land• Cities produce little of own food

Large areas of land must be disturbed/degraded to provide food, water, energy, etc.

• Cropland, fertile soil, forests, wetlands, wildlife habitats lost

• 58 times the land area of London is needed to sustain its residents with resources based on their lifestyle (=4 earths if everyone lived this way)

o Produce most of world’s air & water pollution and solid/hazardous wastes

• Hard to disperse/dilute/clean up such high concentrations of waste and pollution

• High pollution exposure (health effects to human pop.)• Urban heat island effect dust dome (see slide 12)

• NOT a sustainable system!

Compare with p. 265 figure 11-24

•The enormous amount of heat generated creates an urban heat island

•Additional heat changes climate of surrounding area

•Keep polluted air from being diluted and cleansed

p.266

o Help cool airo Reduce soil erosiono Muffle noiseo Provide habitatso Give aesthetic pleasure

• High population density means…o Easily spread infectious

diseaseo High incidence of physical

injuries (industry/traffic)o High crime rateso Noise pollution

• Water supply and flooding problemso High water demandso Reservoirs, canals, dams,

wells deprive rural and wild areas of water

o Buildings/asphalt causes precipitation to runoff quickly and overload storm drains

• Have fewer trees/plants thato Absorb pollutantso Create oxygen

Disadvantages of Urbanization IIDisadvantages of Urbanization II

Noise PollutionNoise Pollution

• Excessive noise exposure health effectso Hearing loss, hypertension, muscle tension, migraines, headaches,

higher cholesterol levels, gastric ulcers, irritability, insomnia, psychological disorders, aggression

United States United States UrbanizationUrbanization

1800- 2008 = 5%-79%1800- 2008 = 5%-79%• Migration from rural areas to metropolitan

areas• Large central cities to suburbs• North east to South and West• Major Urban Problems in the U.S.

o Deteriorating serviceso Aging infrastructures- streets, schools, bridges, housing, sewerso Budget crunches from lost tax revenues as businesses and

affluent people move to suburbso Rising poverty in central city areas where unemployment is high

(and this increases the incidence of violence & drugs)o Urban sprawl - growth of low-density development on edges of

cities and towns

75% of the US population live in urban areas occupying 3% of the country’s land area

Urban SprawlUrban Sprawl• Encouraged by:

- availability of ample, cheap land (forests, agricultural fields etc.)

- government loans guarantees for new single-family homes (veterans of WWII)

- government & state funding of highways- low-cost gasoline encourage car use- zoning laws requiring 0residential and

commercial separation- Problem? Encourages dependence on

cars- p. 264, figure 11-23

Impacts of Urban SprawlImpacts of Urban Sprawl

Land and Biodiversity

Loss of cropland

Loss of forests & grasslands

Loss of wetlands

Loss & fragmentation ofwildlife habitats

Increased wildlife road kill

Increased soil erosion

Human Healthand Aesthetics

Contaminated drinking water & air

Noise pollution

Sky illumination at night

Traffic congestion

Water

Increased runoff

Increased surface water & groundwater pollution

Increased use of surface water & groundwater

Decreased storage ofSurface water &

groundwater

Increased flooding

Decreased naturalSewage treatment

Impacts of Urban SprawlImpacts of Urban Sprawl

Energy, Air, and Climate

Increased energy useand waste

Increased air pollution

Increased greenhouse gas Emissions

Enhanced global warming

Warmer microclimate(heat island effect)

Economic Effects

Higher taxes

Decline of downtownbusiness districts

Increased unemploymentin central city

Loss of tax base in central city

Major Spatial PatternsMajor Spatial Patterns• Concentric Circle City such as New York• Sector City is the large urban area extending

from San Francisco to San Jose, CA• Multiple Nuclei City is Los Angeles• Megalopolis is when separate cities join such as

the Bowash, Chipitts

Concentric Circle ModelConcentric Circle Model

1. Central business district (CBD)2. Deteriorating transition zone3. Worker’s homes4. Middle-class suburbs5. Commuter's zone

Sector ModelSector Model

1. High-rent residential2. Intermediate-rent residential3. Low-rent residential4. Education and recreation5. Transportation6. Industrial7. Core (CBD)

Multiple-Nuclei ModelMultiple-Nuclei Model1. CBD2. Wholesale, light manufacturing3. Low-rent residential4. Intermediate-rent residential5. High-rent residential6. Heavy manufacturing7. Outlying business district8. Residential Suburb9. Industrial Suburb

Megalopolis

Advantages and Advantages and Disadvantages to Disadvantages to

UrbanizationUrbanizationReview from Friday

Advantages of UrbanizationAdvantages of Urbanization

o Population concentration impacts biodiversity less• 46% world pop in urban areas = 4% land area

o Per capita expenditures on environmental protection high in urban areas

o Centers of industry, commerce, and innovations in science/technology

• spurs economic developmento Better access to services- cost advantages to

government in delivering goods and services.• Public transportation networks feasible• Recycling more economically feasible• Access to medical care, family planning,

education, social services, shelter, and environmental information

Live longer/lower IMR than rural Reduced fertility/growth

Disadvantages of Urbanization IDisadvantages of Urbanization I• Huge ecological footprint

o Destruction of plant life - what is $ value?• Still consume large quantities of resources even though

only living on small % of land• Cities produce little of own food

Large areas of land must be disturbed/degraded to provide food, water, energy, etc.

• Cropland, fertile soil, forests, wetlands, wildlife habitats lost

• 58 times the land area of London is needed to sustain its residents with resources based on their lifestyle (=4 earths if everyone lived this way)

o Produce most of world’s air & water pollution and solid/hazardous wastes

• Hard to disperse/dilute/clean up such high concentrations of waste and pollution

• High pollution exposure (health effects to human pop.)• Urban heat island effect dust dome (see slide 12)

• NOT a sustainable system!

Compare with p. 265 figure 11-24

•The enormous amount of heat generated creates an urban heat island

•Additional heat changes climate of surrounding area

•Keep polluted air from being diluted and cleansed

p.266

o Help cool airo Reduce soil erosiono Muffle noiseo Provide habitatso Give aesthetic pleasure

• High population density means…o Easily spread infectious

diseaseo High incidence of physical

injuries (industry/traffic)o High crime rateso Noise pollution

• Water supply and flooding problemso High water demandso Reservoirs, canals, dams,

wells deprive rural and wild areas of water

o Buildings/asphalt causes precipitation to runoff quickly and overload storm drains

• Have fewer trees/plants thato Absorb pollutantso Create oxygen

Disadvantages of Urbanization IIDisadvantages of Urbanization II

Noise PollutionNoise Pollution

• Excessive noise exposure health effectso Hearing loss, hypertension, muscle tension, migraines, headaches,

higher cholesterol levels, gastric ulcers, irritability, insomnia, psychological disorders, aggression

Transportation &Transportation &Urban DevelopmentUrban Development

Transportation & Urban Transportation & Urban

DevelopmentDevelopment• Determines where people live, how far they go to

work and buy stuff, how much land is paved, and how much air pollution people are exposed to.

• Cities grow up if they can’t grow out; more prone to use mass transit.

• Urban sprawl due to cheap gas and land and highways; dispersed car-centered cities use 10x more energy.

VS.VS.

• Nakagin Capsule Tower• LA "Smogtown"

Drive alone 80%

Other 4%

Public transit 5%

Car pool 11%

Motor Vehicle Motor Vehicle ConcentrationConcentration

• Ground transportation: individual (cars, etc.) and mass (buses and rail)

• U.S. (5% of world pop.) has 35% of cars and trucks (in world)o We use the car for 98% of all urban transportation, and 91% of travel to

worko Robert Samuelson- “Cars expand to fill available concrete.” (p. 268)

• Harmful costs of driving in U.S. ($300-350 bill/yr.)o Deaths/injuries; Health insurance; Air/water pollution; CO2 emissions

• Solutions? o Tax gasoline higher (20%?!); use revenues to fund mass

transit systems, bike paths, sidewalkso Charging tolls/Parking feeso $ benefits on mortgage for non-car users

• Oppositiono Political opposition- public & industryo Mass transit not widely availableo Urban sprawlo We ♥ cars

Alternatives to CarsAlternatives to Cars• Motor scooters

o affordable!o effort to change to electric

• Riding bicycleso less pollution/dangerous than carso more efficient than walkingo faster in congested areaso fewer resources needed to makeo bicycles available for public useo bike and ride systems

• Mass transit (rail=subway, metros, trolleys, trams)o IF people use them…o less pollution/dangerous than carso more efficient (energy & time)o less land needed

• Rapid railo between urban areas, 200 mph o replace planeso $$$ Bullet

• Buseso More flexible/less expensive than railo Curitiba, Brazil (p. 270-1)

Making Urban Areas Making Urban Areas SustainableSustainable

Case Study: p. 270-271Guest Essay: p. 272-273

Land-Use PlanningLand-Use Planning• Determining the best present and future use of

each parcel of land in the area.o Assuming growth/development should be encouraged

• may lead to urban sprawlo Why? 90% governmental revenue comes from property taxes

• Needed for schools, police, fire dept, water, sewer, etc.• More growth = more $

o Long term results? • Poorly managed economic growth environmental degradation

Smart Growth Tools for Smart Growth Tools for CitiesCities

• Smart Growth- encouraging development that requires less dependence on cars/emphasizes environmental awareness.o Zoning- various parcels of land are designated for certain uses.

• Drawbacks (if not used properly):o Destroy pristine ecosystems/ecosystem serviceso Favor things that bring in money over environmentally sensitive

areaso Can stifle innovative approaches to urban problem solving

o Planning• Shopping in close proximity to residences• High population density near mass transit (zoning)• Open space squares/parks

o Other (p. 274, Figure 11-27)• Protection• Regulations• Taxes/Tax Breaks• Revitalization

Opposition?Opposition?• Hinder economic growth• Too restrictive• Too much government control

• Are these valid critiques?o Practices of European countries with success

• National agencies regulate development• High gas tax live close to work/limit car use• High tax on heating fuel apartments/small houses• Use revenues trains/mass transit

o Compare these two kitchens:

Other SolutionsOther Solutions• Urbanization favored over sprawl BUT MUST be done

in a way that makes the city SUSTAINABLE & LIVABLE

• “Ecocities”o Good ecological design emphasizing:

• Mimic earth’s circular metabolism (p. 74 vs. p. 73)• Prevent pollution/Reduce waste

o Recycle/Reuse/Compost 60%+o Treat sewage using living machines/wastewater gardenso Brownfields/Polluted creeks cleaned up/restored

• Efficient use of energy/resourceso Solar and other renewable energy resourceso All buildings/vehicles/appliances high energy-efficiency stdrds.

• Encourage biodiversityo Local/endemic plants/trees provide beauty & wildlife habitats,

reduce pollution/noise/erosiono Lawns with organic gardens/endemic species (rather than grass)o Nearby forests, grasslands, wetlands, farms preserved (no sprawl)

• Walking/Mass transit• Food from organic farms, greenhouses, community/individual gardens

A sustainable world…A sustainable world…• …will be powered by the sun; constructed from

materials that circulate repeatedly; made mobile by trains, buses, and bicycles; populated at sustainable levels; and centered around just, equitable, and tight-knit communities.

-Gary Gardner

International Development DaysVancouver, BC October 2 – 4, 2002

Maureen C. Shaw

Industrial Accident Prevention Association

October 3, 2002

Email: mshaw@iapa.on.ca Website: www.iapa.on.ca

To improve the quality of life in workplaces and communities we serve by being an internationally recognized leader in providing effective programs, products and services for the prevention of injury and illness.

"A World where risks are controlled because everyone believes suffering and loss are morally, socially and economically unacceptable."

Essential Components of Sustainable Cities

Environmental Integrity

• living within ecological limits

• protecting natural resources

• responsible consumption patterns; re-use & recycling

• measurable carrying capacity indicators

Quality of Life

• diversity

• cooperation

• health

• education

• communication

• compassion

• efficient, affordable, accessible transportation

• linking jobs to housing and communities

• honouring culture

• pluralism and tolerance

Economic Security• local, regional economic viability

• opportunities for employment

• economic justice/equity

• reduce gap between rich and poor

• economic security

• appropriate technology and economics

• long term view not short term gains

Democratic Participation

• communication, education, information, collaboration

• all stakeholders represented and involved

• power from within the community

• belief in the possibility of change

• democracy

• accountability

• personal dignity

• grassroots organizations

Source

Dr. Warren Flint

Five E’s Unlimited

Traditional Corporate

Responsibilities

Ensuring Health, Safety, Wellness

& Security of Employees

Management of Natural Resources

Conservation

Minimizing Waste

Recycling

Minimizing Pollution

Compliance with Regulations &

Legislation

Based on European Sustainable Cities Report

Corporate Community &

Workplace Leadership Imperatives

Sharing Best Practices

Mentoring Concern for

Individuals Colleagues & Neighbours

Social Responsibility to

Community & Workplace Activities

Support of Cultural Heritage

Political Influence Locally

Nationally

Maureen C. Shaw - IAPA

Closing Thoughts….Cities contain many Communities

In our globalized economies, if we are to be successful in business and as a society we must, above all else, care for people. Human sustainability must be the core of what we do.

Healthy, safe and environmentally sound workplaces are integral to successfully achieving sustainable cities.

We need to collaborate, communicate and coordinate our knowledge, experience and resources toward this shared goal. The Safe Community model and its experience is transferable as well as transformational.

To study:To study: