Environmental Science: Toward a Sustainable Future Richard T. Wright

Sustainable Communities and Lifestyles

PPT by Clark E. Adams

Chapter 24

Trenton Brownfield Site

Sustainable Communities and Lifestyles Urban sprawl Urban blight Moving toward sustainable communities Toward the common good

Urban Sprawl

Sprawl: extension of city perimeters outward in the countryside, one development after the next, with little plan as to where the expansion is going and no notion as to where it will stop.

The Origins of Urban Sprawl

Post–World War II demand for consumer goods: cheap cars and gas

Housing boom with low mortgage rates Highway Trust Fund

Impact of Highway Trust Fund

The Flight Continued

The results of a car-dependent lifestyle

City Suburbs Exurbs

Measuring Sprawl

Residential density Neighborhood mix of homes, stores, and

workplaces Accessibility of the street networks Strength of activity centers and

downtowns

Sprawl Scores: Low Scores Mean High Sprawl (see Table 23-2)

Conversion of Land to Developed Uses

Impacts of Urban Sprawl: Environmental

Environmental Impacts of Urban Sprawl: Simplify and Destabilize!

Photos by C. E. Adams

Impacts of Urban Sprawl: Quality of Life

Higher vehicle ownership and driving mileage

Greater risk of fatal accidents Lower rates of walking and lessened use

of mass-transit facilities

Impacts of Urban Sprawl: Quality of Life

No change in congestion delays Higher costs for municipal services Higher incidence of obesity and high blood

pressure

Benefits of Urban Sprawl

Lower-density residential living Larger lot sizes Larger single-family homes

Benefits of Urban Sprawl

Better quality public schools Lower crime rates Better social services Greater opportunity to participate in local

governments

Reining in Urban Sprawl: Smart Growth

“Smart Growth”: forces communities to purposely choose to develop in more environmentally sustainable ways. Sets boundaries on urban sprawl Saves open space Develops existing urban space Creates new towns

Urban Blight

Economic and ethnic segregation The vicious cycle of urban blight Economic exclusion of the inner city Urban blight in developing countries What makes cities livable?

Indicators of Urban Decay

Economic and ethnic segregation Eroding tax base Loss of social services Lowered property values Higher property taxes Deterioration of central city infrastructure

Segregation by Exurban Migration: White Flight

The Vicious Cycle of Urban Blight

Economic Exclusion of the Inner City

Urban Blight in Developing Countries

Slum communities No utility services No land ownership Crime and disease are endemic Expected to continue growing into middle of

century Continually overwhelmed by influx of rural

immigrants

Slum Community Needs

Home security More jobs Cheap transportation Government representation

(Slum Dwellers International – SDI at

http://www.sdinet.org)

What Makes Cities Livable?

Integrated living, working, and recreational spaces

Affordable housing Provisions for pedestrian and bicycle

traffic Protection of sensitive habitats

What Makes Cities Livable?

What Makes Cities Livable?

Reduced outward sprawl Reduced automobile traffic Improved access by foot or bicycle Mass transit

What Makes Cities Livable?

High population density Heterogeneity of residences and business People meet people, not cars

Moving toward Sustainable Communities

Sustainable cities Proximity of people to residences, shops, and

workplaces Use of solar energy Self-sufficiency in provision of food Stable population

Sustainable Communities

Renovation and recycling

Greenways development

Reclaimed waterways New industries

Toward the Common Good

Intergenerational equity Set national goals for sustainable

development Reduce conflict between business and

environmental groups Individual responsibility

The Common Good

Compassion Concern for justice Honesty Frugality Humility Neighborliness

Lifestyle Changes

Individual lifestyle changes Political involvement Membership and participation in NGO

environmental organizations Volunteer work Career choices

End of Chapter 23