Sustainable cities

The Case for SUSTAINABLE CITIES

World PopulationAbout 7.2 billion

9 billion before 2050

Economic DevelopmentSince industrial revolutionIncreased demand on natural resources to provide food, water for drinking and agriculture, health care, etc.

Burning of fossil fuels - coal, oil, gas - to generate energy.

Release of carbon dioxide into atmosphere enhances greenhouse effect.

Average global temperature has increased by about 0.8 degrees Celsius since pre-industrial times.Expected increase of 3-5 degrees Celsius by end century if no drastic reduction in greenhouses gases.

Urbanisation• More than 50% of world population now living in cities

66% urbanisation rate by 2050

Characteristics of Sustainable CitiesEconomically viable• Productive infrastructure – networks for transport, power,

water, waste, and connectivity• ‘Soft’ infrastructure – effective public institutions

Socially inclusive• High social cohesiveness and mobility

Environmentally responsible• Low environmental impact of activities• Mitigation measures to reduce ‘ecological footprint’• Adaptation to prepare for changing environmental conditions

Resilient to environmental, social or economic shocks• Preparedness to respond• Ability to recover

Infrastructure• Transportation• Cars cause congestion, air pollution and greenhouse gas

emissions• Public transport systems: buses and mass rapid transit• Personal transport: biking and walking

Infrastructure•Water Supply• For drinking, industrial processes, agriculture

•Waste Management• Landfills cause pollution of water sources, methane emissions• Recycling programmes and waste-to-energy facilities

Climate change

• Increasing temperatures and sea level rise• Increase in frequency and/or intensity of extreme weather events – heat waves, droughts, storms, and floods.

Building ResilienceAir pollutionSmog in Chinese cities and haze in Singapore

Measures: switch to gas to generate power, restriction on car usage

Building ResilienceRecent twin earthquakes in Nepal

Measures: better constructed buildings, zoning to avoid areas prone to landslides

Building Resilience

Typhoons and FloodsCoastal cities vulnerable to

rising sea level and storms

Measures: Jakarta plan to build sea wall with help from the Netherlands

Typhoon Haiyan

Planning for SustainabilityProcess of problem solving

Assess future risks and constraints• Vulnerability to hazards – typhoons, droughts, earthquakes, floods,

landslides and volcanoes

• Available resources – land, water, expertise, funds

Set goals

Evaluate options (technical and policy) and implement measures to• support a productive and green economy

• enable social cohesiveness and mobility

• mitigate effects of external shocks and facilitate recovery from such shocks

Monitor progress towards goals