Cities 07

Stephen Wheeler does not seem like a very helpful individual in his article on sustainable cities. It seems as though he likes to complain about the many problems that occur in urban settings, and yet he offers no solutions, helpful hints on how to deal with the problems, or even who should do what to fix the problems. This is unfortunate because anybody can write an article about everything that is wrong with the world, but if no solutions are put forth then nothing will ever change.

In the paper, Wheeler separates the sustainability problem in urban settings into nine different topics that all need addressing. He states that “the need is for a long-term strategy emphasizing consensus processes, public education, political organizing, policy tools such as indicators and performance standards, development of vision documents and ‘best practice’ examples, and the creation of institutions that can more effectively address physical planning and equity issues” (494). That has got to be the most broad, vague solution to sustainability that I have ever heard. Basically it sounds as though Wheeler is stating many problems and then expecting someone else to figure the logistics out and fix the problems he addresses. To be even more vague, Wheeler states that “Different approaches will have to be found for different cities” (495), indicating that he really has no idea how to address the problems on a global scale, let alone on a city-to-city basis. Basically, Wheeler claims that innovation and creativity are needed to deal with the problem, which I believe is because he himself has none of either. Because of Wheeler’s vagueness, inconclusive findings, and lack of solutions, I feel I must try to come up with solutions to make up for his incompetence.

So I came to think, what solutions can I come up with which would make the Twin Cities more sustainable. One of the main areas of the subject of sustainability that needs addressing is electric power. As far as power supplies go, coal power seems to dominate the supply of much of the electricity in the area. It is true that the Mississippi is used for hydroelectric power in some areas, but more could always be used. Also, I have yet to see any wind mills for providing wind power. Wind power mills tend to need lots of space to provide sufficient power for a city. One solution for this is to place wind mills on top of large buildings to save space. If a skyscraper can have enough wind mills on top of it to power the building (with hydroelectric backup power supplies) then the buildings themselves would be self-sustaining. Also, I have yet to see any geothermal power plants. Geothermal plants provide renewable sources of energy as well. I know that Iceland uses geothermal energy to create hydrogen which they use to power the entire country, making the whole country self-sufficient power-wise. I believe if Iceland can do it, then America should give it a try.

Overall Wheeler does not seem to have a clue as to how to start addressing problems of sustainability, but in his insufficient argument one is forced to come up with new solutions, which may have been his goal in the first place.