GCSE Geography | What is urban sustainability? (Sustainable Urban Environments 1)

Sustainable urban living causes minimal damage to the environment, allocates resources fairly and creates a strong sense of community. Management of resources and transport is vital if we are to live sustainably; we need to conserve water and energy, and minimise waste as much as possible.

The following features are important in sustainable urban environments...

Renewable energy

Sustainable communities often have wind turbines and solar panels to generate energy without creating carbon emissions. These can also lead to lower energy bills for residents.

Green roofs

Apartments in sustainable communities often have green roofs – these plants absorb pollutants to increase air quality, and absorb water to reduce the risk of flooding. Green roofs can be combined with rainwater harvesting to recycle water.

Reducing car use

Sustainable communities have strategies in place to reduce car ownership/usage, such as a lack of parking facilities or expensive parking permits. However, many of them are now being built with electric vehicle charging facilities.

Cycle path network

Sustainable communities are designed to encourage cycling, such as having an extensive network of safe cycle paths, and plenty of secure bike storage facilities. The will often be links to a local bicycle hire scheme.

Integrated public transport

In order to reduce car usage sustainable communities will have good access to affordable public transport, such as regular bus, tram or train services. When these link up together we called these integrated services – so they are very efficient, which encourages usage.

Urban greening

Planting trees and establishing green spaces is important for urban wildlife habitats, filtering out air pollution and reducing the risk of flooding by increasing infiltration. Green spaces are also important for physical and mental health, particular in areas of housing without gardens.

Wildlife habitats

Sustainable developments usually have some land set aside to restore wildlife habitats, such as small areas of woodlands, or wetland environments. These can also be used as a leisure amenity.

Sports facilities

Keeping active is an important part of sustainable communities – good for both physical and mental health – so these developments will have sports facilities, such as football pitches, basketball courts, tennis courts and playgrounds, which are accessible to all.

East Village, London

London's East Village in London was specifically created as the Olympic Village for the London 2012 games. Following the games it was converted into 2,818 sustainable homes.

It has impressive eco-credentials with an onsite biomass power station which creates the energy source for the entire community, with 90% efficient heating systems and 90% construction waste saved from landfill. LED lighting is used throughout East Village, which has saved 5000 tons of carbon emissions. The apartment blocks (which you can see in the image below) have living roof gardens helps replenish and nurture local wildlife.

East Village is considered to be a success - it is home to 6,000 people and has onsite restaurants, shops and bars, as well as 35 acres of open land and 3 children’s parks. There are plans to add a further 2,000 homes to the site with the same eco-credentials.

Kijk-Kubus houses in Rotterdam

The cube houses are a set of innovative houses built in Rotterdam in the Netherlands (pictured below), designed by architect Piet Blom. They are based on the concept of "living as an urban roof": high density housing with sufficient space on the ground level; its main purpose being to optimize the space inside. Blom's main goal was to create an urban area that felt like a village. They have a number of sustainable features...

Energy efficiency

• Photovoltaic panels - that power the building's lighting, heating, and electronics
• Smart energy system - which can connect to the main grid or operate independently
• Green roofs - that help to cool the building and store rainwater

Sustainable materials

• Timber-frame skeleton - the houses have a timber-frame skeleton insulated with rock wool
• Cement and wood-fibre board - the houses are sheathed with cement and wood-fibre board on the inside and outside

Water conservation

• Grey water reuse system - the houses have a system that collects rainwater from the roof and uses it for flushing toilets

Other features

• Double-skin façade - this creates "breathe spaces" with natural light and greenery
• Moveable windows and ventilation