sustainable urban living

• 'A sustainable city is one that is economically, environmentally and socially healthy and resilient. It offers a good quality of life to current residents but doesn't reduce the opportunities for future residents to enjoy
• a sustainable city:

  • has low energy consumption
  • is carbon neutral or has zero carbon
  • involves communities in local decision making
  • is built from recyclable materials
  • reuse, recycles and reduces waste
  • has more open space and greenery
  • uses renewable energy technologies (rooftop wind turbines)
  • has improved public transport
• sustainable urban strategies include:

  • recycling water to conserve supplies
  • providing green spaces
  • reducing the reliance on fossil fuels and rethinking transport options
  • keeping city wastes within the capacity of local rivers and oceans to absorb them, and making 'sinks' for the disposal of toxic chemicals
  • involving local communities and providing a range of employment
  • conserving cultural, historical and environmental sites and buildings
  • minimising the use of greenfield sites by using brownfield sites instead