The Biophilic City Concept

Developing Sustainable Societies: Challenges and PerspectivesFlinders University 23rd March 2011Darren Bilsborough, Director of Sustainability A-PAdjunct Professor of Sustainability, Curtin University

More potential problems than you can poke a stick at relating to:-

City Vulnerability

Identifying the issues Climate Change Global Population and Consumption

Leading to Resource Depletion and;- Peak Oil Peak Water Peak Food Pollution (air, water and soil)

Health and Well Being (future liabilities)

1981 – 2005: global GDP more than doubled, but 60% of world’s ecosystems degraded/exploited unsustainably

Future Health Liability

Future Health Liability – Unfunded Health Budgets

PB-CUSP Alliance Research

Costs to government$86 million (or approximately $80,000 per block) – or the cost to provide power, water, sewerage, schools, hospitals and local government services for fringe developments. Road infrastructure is the most significant cost.

Cost to people$250 million in transport costs over 50 years – people in fringe developments drive more frequently and own more cars $ 4.23 million in health costs – people in fringe developments have higher risk of obesity related to lower levels of physical activity for people.

Cost to the planet4,400 tons of greenhouse gas is saved for 1,000 urban dwellings, which is roughly equal to the amount emitted from 200 homes – an estimated dollar value of approximately $19.32 million.

Productivity OpportunityA 6% improvement in productivity due to active travelLifestyle.

PB-CUSP Alliance Research

Peak Oil

Peak Oil

Sprawling Places Are More Expensive

How Much Time Have We Got?

Some future scenarios have petrol prices at up to $8/litre in Australia. Even modest scenarios foresee $2 a litre within a few years

Surveys by Budget Direct suggest 30% of motorists in Australian cities will stop using their car to commute if petrol reaches $1.75 a litre

Watch the arctic this September – the canary in the mine. We may only be three-four years from an ice free arctic in summer

Courtesy of Professor Peter Newman

Climate Code Red

The Elephant in the Room

Climate Change Adaptation

The Biggest Problem?

Adaptation Strategies in response to Changing Climatic and Environmental Conditions

a) Risk minimisation which takes into account impacts associated with rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, rising sea levels and changing storm frequency, type and intensity.

b) Response to changes in land use/value and planning. c) Prepare communities to adapt to climate change including:

impacts of population increases (or changes) on infrastructure needs such as transportation, energy and waterbushfire intensity and frequency

Climate Change Adaptation

1. 1. Economic development and diversity: employment, Indigenous engagement, entrepreneurship, trade and economic supply chains.

2. Infrastructure (social and physical): health, education, justice,

transport, waste, power and water

3. Planning and PlaceMaking: the creation of place — affordable, liveable, amenable, home.

4. Governance: regional, state and federal.

“4 themes to building good cities”or resilient towns and regions

1. 1. Economic development and diversity: employment, Indigenous engagement, entrepreneurship, trade and economic supply chains.

2. Infrastructure (social and physical): health, education, justice, transport, waste, power and water

3. Planning and PlaceMaking: the creation of place — affordable, liveable, amenable, home.

4. Governance: regional, state and federal.

“4 themes to building good cities”or resilient towns and regions

Infrastructure (social and physical): health, education, justice, transport, waste, power and water

The ‘body’ and ‘organs’ of a city, town or region relies on its essential physical and social infrastructure services; its ongoing operations need ‘sustenance’ in the form of energy, good metabolism, and the social infrastructure that enables a healthy, innovative, fair and secure place to live.

In support of Place

Planning and PlaceMaking: the creation of place — affordable, liveable, amenable, home.

People live in cities, towns and regions for lots of reasons; these might be historical, for employment or to maintain or pursue their relationships. But people stay for their sense of place — that is, the way the area makes them feel and the ability it gives them to connect with their surroundings, whether physical or metaphysical.

Planning systems are set up to enable this to happen beyond individual project plans. The key is good planning•

State Sustainability Strategy

SettlementsSettlements

New Ways Needed – A Change in Direction

Sustainable EnergyFuture Urban Form

Sustainable Land Use (how to grow?)

Green Buildings (next steps)

Sustainable Transport

Biophillic city concept

Planning Responses

What is Biophilia?

Biophilia

Edward O. Wilson, a Harvard University entomologist, coined the term "biophilia", referring to humans' "love of living things" - our innate affinity with nature

• Increase Biodiversity and Stabilise Ecological Systems

The Biophilic City Concept

Biodiverse Cities

• Increase Biodiversity and Stabilise Ecological Systems

• Introduction of Urban Farming (including Vertical Farms) Catering for Local Food Requirements and Reduction in Food Miles

The Biophilic City Concept

Mole Hill Vancouver

Edible Cities

Cuba

Vertical Farms

• Increase Biodiversity and Stabilise Ecological Systems

• Introduction of Urban Farming (including Vertical Farms) Catering for Local Food Requirements and Reduction in Food Miles

• Improvement in Water Management, Efficiency and Recycling

• Decreased Energy Intensity through Reduced Heat Island Effect – Consideration of Climate Change Adaptation due to ▲ ºC into the Future

• Improved Health and Well Being (Biophilia and Reduced Pollution) and Associated Productivity Improvements

• Bio-sequestration of Legacy CO²

The Biophilic City Concept

Conclusions New Ways Needed – A Change in Direction

Sustainable Built Form and Land Use

• Fewer cars (less roads), more public transport…..pedestrian and cycling priorities

Destiny of all life lies within technology

Conclusions New Ways Needed – A Change in Direction

Sustainable Built Form and Land Use

• Fewer cars (less roads), more public transport…..pedestrian and cycling priorities

• Urban growth containment• Transit Oriented Development (TODS, PODS,

CODS and GODS)• Urban farming, local food supply• Biophilic cities

The Biophilic City in the Pilbara?

The Biophilic City