The sustainable city

INTERESTING street furniture livens up the streetscape in the city. abll.info

Yes, Manila is overpopulated.  The National Capital Region has a population density similar to Jakarta, Taipei, Seoul and Beijing. Yet the second most densely populated region just south of Manila, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) has less than 5 percent of NCR’s population density. Only big cities in NCR, Cebu and Baguio are overpopulated, but the country as a whole is not.

Half of the world’s population now lives in cities. And cities emit three-quarters of the planet’s greenhouse gases.

What are some guidelines that we have to make our cities healthy for our children?

Population and transportation are interrelated. Access to work, school, business and home is greatly facilitated by a good infrastructure system and transport network. Connectivity ensures smooth movement within and out of the city. It is a strong sign of a healthy city.

Reduce pollution

Rail infrastructure is common in many cities. Trains reduce pollution and especially in a crowded city, we have to reduce the number of private cars on the road. Even in Bogota 80 percent of the population take public transport.

Bicycle paths and walking trails are common in healthy cities. It is unfortunate that some Asian cities have their streets swarming with motorcycles which pose danger on the road.

The mixed-use development is a green concept. It promotes pedestrian movement, convenience and public safety. Street surveillance is assured where residential areas are consolidated in the building form. Lighting and street activity keep the place safe.

The streetscape is most interesting in any city. It is the most important public space in the city. If building ordinances regarding frontage setback is well-enforced, we have high-quality streets. Building height limits control density that a site can comfortably accommodate.

Heritage buildings provide a source of a city’s character. It would be good for a city to make an inventory of the city’s heritage areas and to identify future development areas. Preserving heritage areas strengthens a city’s local character. Cultural sustainability is now very much a concern in view of globalization of brands and styles that make cities look alike.

Pride in the public realm is a goal of every sustainable city.  Public spaces between buildings, street space, parks and waterways are very much part of the control and developmental framework of the city government. Clean, well-planned and healthy built environments increase the financial viability of the city.

Zero emission target

Everyone in the city should work for the target of zero emissions in the future. Waste management starts with composting in the household level. Waste segregation should by now be successfully enforced by barangays. Everything should end up in the factory or back to the earth with a cradle-to-cradle mentality in the sustainable city.

Intelligent use of water is a byword among an enlightened citizenry. Only 3 percent of the water in the planet is fresh.

Germany will completely phase out its 19 nuclear plants in 10 years. Climate change and the drop of the fossil fuel economy will teach us all to be very efficient in the use of energy.

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