Urban World - Environmental Science - Lecture Slides, Slides of Environmental Science

Download Urban World - Environmental Science - Lecture Slides and more Slides Environmental Science in PDF only on Docsity! Chapter 10 The Urban World Docsity.com Overview of Chapter 10 • Population and Urbanization – Characteristics of Urban Population – Urbanization Trends • City as an Ecosystem – Environmental Problems in Urban Areas – Environmental Benefits of Urbanization • Urban Land Use Planning – Transportation and Urban Development – Suburban Sprawl • Making Cities More Sustainable Docsity.com Characteristics of Urban Population • Basic characteristics of city populations: – Diverse population in terms of race, ethnicity, religion and socioeconomic status – Younger population than local rural area • More males in developing nation cities • More females in developed nation cities Docsity.com Urbanization Trends • Urbanization is increasing rapidly – Especially in developing countries • World’s 10 largest cities are in developing countries Docsity.com Hong Kong, China Hong Kong has a whopping 43 buildings over 200 metres tall, 30 of which were built in the year 2000 or later. It also boasts four of the 15 tallest buildings in the world. Hong Kong’s skyline shows a large selection of distinct sky-reaching towers. Metro/Urban Population: 6.9 million The Top Skylines in the World http://citynoise.org/article/3432 Docsity.com The Top Skylines in the World Dubai, United Arab Emirates Already home of the world's tallest all-hotel building and the tallest all- residential building in the world, AND currently proposed to build the world's tallest building. All seven structures in this city at over 200 metres tall were built in 1999 or later - that's how new this city is. Metro/Urban Population: 1.6 million Docsity.com Palm Islands, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Burj, Dubai World’s Tallest Human Structure Docsity.com Urbanization Trends • Urban Agglomeration – Urbanized core region that consists of several adjunct cities or megacities and their surrounding developed suburbs United States Urban Agglomerations (Population of 50,000 or above) Docsity.com Environmental Problems in Urban Areas • Growing urban areas affect land use patterns – Fragment wildlife – Encroach wetlands, forests, desert, etc. • Brownfields – Urban areas of abandoned industrial or residential sites that may be contaminated from past use • Impermeable surfaces and urban runoff discharged into waterways – Motor oil, lawn fertilizers, heavy metals Docsity.com Docsity.com Environmental Problems in Urban Areas • Long commutes – Traffic congested streets – Buildup of airborne emissions due to cars and industry • Noise pollution • Urban heat island – Local heat buildup in an area of high population density – Affect local air currents and weather conditions – Contribute to buildup of pollutants- dust domes Docsity.com Environmental Benefits of Urbanization • Well-planned city can benefit the environment – Reduces pollution – Preserves rural areas • Compact Development – Design of cities where residential buildings are close to shopping, jobs and public transportation – Ex: Portland, Oregon Docsity.com Urban Land Use Planning • Land use based on economic concerns • From center of city outwards: – City center- Central Business District (highest taxes) – Residential properties (lower taxes than city center) – Land intensive businesses (even lower taxes) – Suburbs (lowest taxes) • Parks and green space are interspersed Docsity.com Urban Land Use Planning • Land Use Planning – Process of deciding the best use for undeveloped land in a given area • Influenced by political and economic factors • Regulated through zoning – Cities divided into use zones • Commercial • Residential • Industrial – Property owners must meet zoning ordinances Docsity.com Making Cities More Sustainable • Characteristics of a sustainable city – Clear, cohesive urban growth policies – Efficient use of energy and other resources – Reduction of pollution and waste • Reuse and recycle materials in waste stream – Large areas of green space – Designed to be people-centers, not car-centered – Food grown IN the city (rooftop gardens) – Compact development Docsity.com Copenhagen, Denmark A People-centered City Docsity.com Sustainable Cities Case in Point- Curitiba, Brazil OP === Express routes 1 === Interdistrict routes == Direct routes === Feeder bus routes ama Workers’ routes Docsity.com