3º British: Sustainable cities

Many people are working towards trying to make cities more sustainable. A sustainable city offers a good quality of life to current residents but doesn't reduce the opportunities for future residents to enjoy. Key features of a sustainable city:

• Resources and services in the city are accessible to all
• Public transport is seen as a viable alternative to cars
• Public transport is safe and reliable
• Walking and cycling is safe
• Areas of open space are safe, accessible and enjoyable
• Wherever possible, renewable resources are used instead of non-renewableresources
• Waste is seen as a resource and is recycled wherever possible
• New homes are energy efficient
• There is access to affordable housing
• Community links are strong and communities work together to deal with issues such as crime and security
• Cultural and social amenities are accessible to all
• Inward investment is made to the CBD

A sustainable city will grow at a sustainable rate and use resources in a sustainable  way. One good example is Masdar City in Abu Dhabi. It aims to do this by:

• Ensuring a low carbon footprint during and after
• Being completely powered by renewable energy.
• Reducing waste to as near to zero as possible, through encouraging changes in behaviour and regulating materials which can be present in the city.
• Leading research and education into sustainable technology.
• Designing the city streets and buildings to help create comfortable environments reducing the need for air conditioning, heating, and artificial light.
• Educating three quarters of the 40,000 residents with 5 hours of sustainability education  each year.
• Leading research at its university to ensure the city retains its sustainable identification and leading knowledge in sustainable living.
• Full pedestrianisation within the city, without vehicles in the space. The transport network would be below ground.

You can read the urban plann and watch more details in the video 1 and video 2 from Youtube (11 minutes each)

Would you like to live in a city like this? J