Sustainable Urban Development

• What is urban sustainability?

  the idea that a city can be organised without excessive reliance on the surrounding countryside and be able to power itself with renewable sources of energy
• An example of a sustainable city

  Freiburg, Germany
• When did Freiburg set a goal for urban sustainability

  1970
• Social planning in Freiburg

  - local people involved in urban planning at a local and city level

  - Incentives/rewards for people who are environmentally aware e.g financial rewards given to people who compost green waste, investors receive free football tickets

  -children put their views forward
• Economic planning in Freiburg

  -Freiburg is a city where people come to attend conferences on sustainability and this provides jobs for local people

  - Many jobs have been created in the research and manufacture of solar technology

  - e.g Freiburg's 'Solar Valley' where more than 10,000 people are employed in 1500 environmental businesses.

  -in Solar Valley more energy is produced than what is used so residents can sell the energy
• Environmental planning in Freiburg

  Freiburg has reduced landfill by:

  - more than 1 million corks recycled each year.

  - a biogas digester for organic food and garden waste which is collected weekly.

  - provided energy for 28 000 homes from burning waste.

  - reduced annual waste disposal from 140 000 tons 50 000 tonnes in 12 years

  - more than 88% of packing waste recycled

  - 350 community collection points for recycling

  - 90kg per head of non-recyclable waste (Germany's average is 122kg)
• Describe Vauban

  • Vauban is a new neighbourhood planned for 5,000 inhabitants and 600 jobs to the south of the town centre in Freiburg, Germany

  • Built as "a sustainable model district"

  • Sustainable buildings

  o Low energy consumption houses: first housing community in the world in which all homes produce a positive energy balance!

  • Transport

  o Primarily by foot or bike

  o Development laid out such that all homes are in walking distance of a tram stop
• What does a sustainable water supply depend on

  depends on individuals using as little water as possible
• What does a sustainable water supply involve and what do houses need to have

  This involves collecting and recycling water

  homes need to have roof gardens with facilities for rainwater harvesting and wastewater
• what is the most important source of drinking water

  Groundwater
• What have Freiburg done to reduce waste water

  Freiburg's waste water allows rainwater to be retained, reused or to seep back into the ground
• What does water conservation involve in Vauban/ Freiburg

  -collecting rainwater for use indoors

  -Green roofs

  -Pervious pavements that allow rainwater to soak through

  -unpaved tramway
• How does the River Dreisam help Freiburg

  Water in the River Dreisam flows through Freiburg is managed using flood retention basins. These reduce the danger of flooding by storing excess water, which can be used in the city
• What is Freiburgs energy policy based on

  Freiburg has a strict energy policy based on:

  - energy saving

  - efficient technology

  - use of renewable energy sources
• What is the aim for Freiburg to achieve by 2050 and what does this require

  The city plans to be 100% powered by renewable energy by 2050. This will require halving energy consumption by increasing energy efficiency in homes, offices and factories
• What is the most important source of renewable energy in Freiburg

  Solar power is the main source of energy
• How much solar energy is produce in Freiburg and what do they do with the surplus

  10million kilowatts of electricity is produced per yr.

  they sell the excess produced
• Where does the largest proportion of Freiburg's renewable electricity come from

  comes from biomass using waste wood and rapeseed oil
• What is biogas used for

  heating, cooking, lighting or to power a turbine to generate electricity
• How does the provision of open spaces contribute to urban sustainability

  These areas serve as the city's lungs and help keep the air clean

  Soil is protected and prevents runoff water during heavy rainfall

  green spaces provide a natural and free recreational resource as well as providing a habitat for wildlife
• Why is there a need to reduce traffic congestion and what are the negative economic effects

  - it leads to air pollution

  - negative economic effects due to increased journey times

  - higher fuel consumption

  - greater risk of accidents

  - respiratory problems
• Sustainable traffic management in Freiburg

  -a connected traffic plan updated every 10yrs

  -tram network provides efficient, cheap and accessible public transport

  -400km cycle paths with 9000 parking spaces for bikes

  -restriction on car parking spaces

  Vauban charges £20,000 for 1 space

  -70% of the population live within 500m of a tram stop with a tram every 8mins
• Sustainable traffic management in Singapore

  since its a small island, traffic congestion is common

  Measures to reduce the volume of traffic:

  -restricted entry to the city centre during rush hours

  -an overhead railway system and efficient bus network

  -high petrol prices

  As a result of these measure there has been:

  -45% less traffic in the city centre

  -25% fewer accidents in the city centre

  -two thirds of all daily journeys are now by public transport
• Sustainable traffic management in Beijing

  an estimated 5million cars in Beijing so is often gridlocked

  the restrictions in Beijing since 2008 Olympics have

  -led to 20% drop in car use

  -12% drop in the use of car parks in the city centre

  BUT

  -the widening of roads has increased car use at the expense of cycling

  has the widest road in the world=50lanes

  Cars are banned from the city centre one day a week based on a number plate system
• What are the three features of sustainable living

  • water conservation
  • energy conservation
  • creating green space
• Describe green spaces in Freiburg

  • 40% of the city is forested
  • 44,000 trees have been planted in parks and streets
  • The River Dreisam is not managed - it provides natural habitats for flora fauna
  • only native trees and shrubs are planted in the 600 hectares of parks
  • In the Riselfield District only 78 hectares are built on, leaving 240 hectares of open space