the urban world chapter 10 the city as an ecosystem urbanization: urban areas vary by # of people....

The Urban World

Chapter 10

The City as an Ecosystem

UrbanizationUrbanization: urban areas vary by # of people.: urban areas vary by # of people.

US Bureau of Census defines an urban area US Bureau of Census defines an urban area as “a location with 2500 or more people.as “a location with 2500 or more people.

75% of US Population lives in an urban 75% of US Population lives in an urban environment.environment.

http://www.census.gov/

http://www.pe.net/~rksnow/nycountymahopac.htm#statistics

Population and Urbanization

Urban migration

Population and Urbanization

Characteristics of the Urban Population

• Increased heterogeneity

• Young age structure

• Different proportions of males / females

Population and Urbanization

Urbanization Trends in US

• Urban Agglomerations: urban core region that consists of several adjacent cirties

Ex: tokyo-Yokohoma-Osaka-Kobe agglomeration in Japan (50 million people)

QUESTION: Population and Urbanization

What has a rush to urbanization in developing countries led to?

•

ANSWER: Population and Urbanization

Rush to urbanization in developing countries has Rush to urbanization in developing countries has led to:led to:

• exceptionally high unemploymentexceptionally high unemployment• Over whelmed economic growth, povertyOver whelmed economic growth, poverty

• Homelessness, Slums and squatter settlementsHomelessness, Slums and squatter settlements

• Heavy pollution Heavy pollution

• Inadequate on nonexistent water Inadequate on nonexistent water

• Inadequate water, sewage and waste disposalInadequate water, sewage and waste disposal

Population and Urbanization

Urbanization Trends

Insert Table 10.1

The City as an Ecosystem

Land Use Patterns

Park City, UT

Mixed use

Residential

The City as an Ecosystem

Land Use Patterns

Park City, UTUndeveloped

The City as an Ecosystem

Long Term Ecological Research (LERT)Long Term Ecological Research (LERT) sponsored by sponsored by The National Science The National Science FoundationFoundation looks into urban ecology trends looks into urban ecology trends and patterns in the context of four variable. and patterns in the context of four variable.

What are they? What are they?

The City as an Ecosystem

Population Population Organization Organization EnvironmentEnvironmentTechnology Technology

PPopulation: opulation:

OOrganizationrganization

EEnvironmentnvironment

TTechnologyechnology

The City as an Ecosystem

Environmental Problems Associated with Urban Areas

• Brownfields

• Inadequate sewage / storm water systems

• Long commutes

• Air pollution

• Urban Heat

The City as an EcosystemBrownfields

BrownfieldsBrownfields: areas of abandoned, : areas of abandoned, vacantvacant factories, warehouses, & factories, warehouses, & residential areas that may be residential areas that may be contaminated past uses.contaminated past uses.

http://www.epa.gov/Region2/cleanup/sites/nytoc_county.html

Marathon Battery Co. • What happened?What happened?• Who cleaned it up?Who cleaned it up?• Did it work?Did it work?• How is it being used today?How is it being used today?

http://www.epa.gov/region02/superfund/npl/0201491c.pdf

The City as an EcosystemEnvironmental Problems Associated with

Urban Areas

• Creation of urban heat islands

The City as an Ecosystem

Environmental Problems Associated with Urban Areas

• Dust domes

The City as an EcosystemUrban Heat Island: Urban Heat Island: the heat released by paved streets the heat released by paved streets & Buildings is slowly released into the atmosphere.& Buildings is slowly released into the atmosphere.(remember albedo?)(remember albedo?)

The atmosphere over cities is often cloudier &The atmosphere over cities is often cloudier & produces more precipitation than the surroundingproduces more precipitation than the surrounding countryside.countryside.

The City as an EcosystemBenefits of UrbanizationBenefits of Urbanization (+) (+)

Compact Development: Compact Development: cities are often designed cities are often designed to be efficient so that public transport is utilized.to be efficient so that public transport is utilized.

Ex: Curitiba, BrazilEx: Curitiba, Brazil

QUESTION:Making Cities More Sustainable

What are the design principles of a sustainable city? That is, what does such a city have or do that demonstrates sustainability?

QUESTION: ANSWER Making Cities More Sustainable

a livable environment

Clean facilities (water, Sanitation, land use)

a strong economy

a social and cultural sense of community

a future generation of urban dwellers (rather than a declining inner city area and growing suburbs)

Making Cities More Sustainable

Features of a sustainable city:

1) Clear, cohesive urban policies

2) Utilize energy and other resources efficiently

Making Cities More Sustainable

Features of a sustainable city:

1) Clear, cohesive urban policies

2) Utilize energy and other resources efficiently

3) Designed to reduce pollution

4) Large areas of green space

5) People-centered, not car-centered

6) Encourage urban farming

Making Cities More Sustainable

Case-in-Point: Curitiba, Brazil

Do Now: Making Cities More Sustainable

What has Curitiba, Brazil done to become a world model for sustainability?

Do Now: ANSWERSMaking Cities More Sustainable

• an efficient, inexpensive mass transit system of clean, modern buses in high-speed dedicated lanes

• high density development along the bus lanes• low-polluting fuel of diesel + alcohol+ soybean

extract• interconnected parks and bike paths• the Garbage Purchase Plan: garbage pickup in

exchange for food, bus tokens

Compact Development in Compact Development in Portland OregonPortland Oregon

The City as an Ecosystem

Environmental Problems Associated with Urban Areas

• Noise pollution

The City as an Ecosystem

Environmental Benefits of Urbanization

• Preservation of rural areas

(particularly with compact development)

Urban Land Use Planning

Central business district (highest taxes)

Typical urban area

Residential areas (high to moderate taxes)

Land intensive businesses (lowest taxes)

Urban Land Use Planning

Transportation and Urban Development

The end

Urban Land Use Planning

Suburban SprawlProblems:

• Increased air pollution

• Loss / fragmentation of wildlife habitat

• Loss of wetlands, forest, & agricultural lands

• Noise pollution

Model of Environmental Impact

Proposed by Proposed by Ehrlich & HoldrenEhrlich & Holdren

I = P x A x TI = P x A x T

Environmental Impact = # of people Environmental Impact = # of people x affluence per person x x affluence per person x technological effect of using and technological effect of using and obtaining resources.obtaining resources.