Lecture Notes: Challenges of Urban Sustainability

Introduction

• Final topic review of urban sustainability challenges.
• Unit 6 continuation - check the ultimate review packet for more resources.
• Urban sustainability: meeting current needs without hindering future generations.

Urban Sprawl

• Definition: Expansion of urban areas into surrounding countryside.
• Consequences of Urban Sprawl:
  • Destroys countryside and arable land.
  • Increases infrastructure costs and public service spending.
  • Leads to de facto segregation.
  • Increases air pollution due to reliance on automobiles.
  • Enlarges ecological footprint and strain on natural resources.
  • Decreases biodiversity by destroying local habitats.

Impact of Climate Change on Urban Areas

• Examples: California (2022) and Texas (2021):
  • Increased energy demands during extreme weather.
  • Risk of rolling blackouts (California) and power grid failures (Texas).
• Results:
  • High energy costs.
  • Health hazards from inadequate infrastructure.

Urban Sanitation and Infrastructure

• Increase in urban population leads to more waste and higher demand on sewage systems.
• Poor sanitation and infrastructure can lead to health crises (e.g., Cholera outbreak in Haiti, 2010).

Responses to Urban Sustainability Challenges

• Smart Growth Policies:
  • Encourage infill development and reduce urban sprawl.
  • Example: Redevelopment of Brownfield sites like Hunter Point Shipyard, San Francisco.
• Urban Growth Boundaries:
  • Restrict city expansion to protect ecological footprints.
  • Example: Portland, Oregon - increased density, improved air quality, but higher housing costs.
• Farmland Protection Policies:
  • Preserve agricultural land through zoning or land purchasing.

Conclusion

• Cities face numerous challenges in achieving urban sustainability.
• Collaboration among regional governments, organizations, and stakeholders is crucial for vibrant communities.
• Practice and review materials available in the ultimate review packet.

Final Notes

• Use the ultimate review packet for a comprehensive summary of Unit 6.
• Practice quizzes and additional resources available for exam preparation.