OBE #6: Sustainable Cities
Wheeler is different that most of the writers we have read this semester in that he discusses how people are living in ways that aren’t healthy for the environment. We need to change the way we live in order to make the cities we live in healthier for people and the Earth. He begins by discussing what the meaning of “sustainable” is: “a world in which both human and natural systems can continue to exist long into the future” (p 487). Cities should be built to last many years, but built with materials that are biodegradable or at least semi-biodegradable. Another definition Wheeler gives states that sustainability is “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (p 489). The most important aspect of sustainability is to build a world that benefits the future generations. Wheeler gives his principles of how to live in a sustainable city. First, all energy, materials and food must be produced locally. I agree that this will greatly assist is making a sustainable city, but there are certain materials and food that must be imported from other parts of the world. This would mean that people must live only with what they have and what they are capable of producing. This is possible, but not practical for today’s world. Each part of the world is very dependant on the others. Instead, Wheeler states that complete isolation is not necessary, but if people were to compromise how they live with how they should live, then that would be a good start. Some of the other principles are to make more efficient use of land, decrease car use, create less waste and restore natural systems.
Among these, Wheeler also discusses the social aspect of a sustainable city. Maintaining sustainability requires a healthy social environment as well as a healthy physical environment. Certain plights such as homelessness are not easily controlled by people, but other problems such as racism are completely in the power of the people. Wheeler states that “promoting a healthy and sustainable social ecology means looking for every opportunity to enhance human community, opportunity and empowerment” (p 493). This involves city planners to look at every type of lifestyle and ask how they can be improved. This leads to a sustainable economy. The economy is an important part of keeping a sustainable city as it forms the foundation on which society can grow.
The sustainability of cities is not only the building if cities with natural materials that won’t harm the physical environment, but also building with a strong society that can maintain the sustainability. In order for people to understand the importance of maintaining a sustainable city, they must understand the importance of keeping a sustainable society and economy. These two aspects of a city are crucial in maintaining a city of any kind. The type of people who inhabit the city reflects upon what kind of city is being inhabited. In this case, people who understand that sustainability is important for the future will most likely create the city to meet sustainable standards.
Abha