Globalization and Urban Development

Sustainability Planning and Governance

• Sustainability action occurs at the state and local government level.
• Local governments are responsible for local decision-making, impacting residents' lives.
• Often, local governments respond to state, national, or international sustainability goals.
• Local governments advocate for the long-term sustainability of their region.

Local Governments and Their Structure

• More complex societies require more complex government structures.
• Local governments manage local decision-making.
• Some local governments rely on more citizen input than others.
• Citizens in most parts of the world have the right to choose their local leaders.
• Communities are served by elected boards or councils.

The Role of Citizens and Stakeholders in Local Government

• Success of local government depends on citizen participation.
• Citizens help ensure local governments don't misuse public funds or land.
• Informed citizens make wise decisions.
• An educated public is important.

Community Stakeholders

• Stakeholders are individuals or organizations that might be affected by a local government's actions.
• Local governments can be impacted by external stakeholders.
• Stakeholders often have diverse interests.
• Stakeholders' interests may not always align with the best interests of citizens.
• Local leaders face challenges balancing stakeholder interests.

Boundaries and Types of Local Governments

• Local governments are classified based on population or size.
• Cities, villages, and towns have clear governmental structures, often with mayors and elected councils.
• Urban areas encompass more than just the main city, including suburbs.
• Many urban areas have limited local government access and are often managed by county governments.
• In some regions, there's a growing interest in coordinating local sustainability initiatives within metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs), which include core urban counties and surrounding counties.
• The US has 384 MSAs.

Leadership

• Local government leaders are typically mayors.
• Mayors may or may not actively support sustainability initiatives.
• Local leaders are advised by stakeholders.
• Local leaders may consider the input of citizens.

Efforts to Aid Local Governments on Sustainability Issues

• ICLEI (Local Governments for Sustainability) aims to coordinate sustainability initiatives globally.
• Local or state non-profits, such as the Florida Green Building Coalition, offer green local government programs.
• The LEED green building rating system assists with sustainable building practices for local governments.

Scale and Local Government

• Scale significantly impacts the effectiveness of sustainability initiatives.
• Larger cities and governments tend to be more sustainable due to efficient resource use and greater resources for managing these initiatives.
• Smaller communities often face resource constraints but can concentrate their efforts.
• Local leaders coordinate sustainability efforts within their regions.

Green Regional Development

• A regional approach is often better to manage sustainability challenges.
• Every region does not need to address all aspects of sustainability.
• Regions can specialize to create comprehensive sustainability goals.
• Mass transit is a focus in high-density regions.
• Improving food access is important in low-density regions.
• Collaboration between regional planning agencies is crucial.

Sustainable Development

• Sustainable development meets the needs of the present without harming future generations.
• Different perspectives on sustainability exist, depending on the nation and levels of development.
• Sustainability is often framed by ideologies specific to each region.
• Local sustainable initiatives may focus on factors that vary by location, such as organic food, or particular development goals.
• Communities with limited resources struggle to improve their quality of life due to significant challenges like war or famine.

Globalization

• Globalization is the process where ideas, products, media, and pollution spread globally.
• This process fosters connections and exchange.

Development of Globalization

• Trade has existed for centuries but experienced acceleration from the Industrial Revolution.
• Cultural changes have occurred alongside increased globalization.
• Globalization has led to significant environmental degradation.
• Increased global consumption necessitates resource gathering worldwide.
• This global demand significantly impacts the planet.

Drivers of Globalization

• Factors driving globalization include:
  • Internet and communication technologies
  • Transportation infrastructure
  • Economic development
  • Transnational organizations

Internet and Communication; Transportation; Economic Development; Transnational Organizations

• Social media, websites, and communication technologies facilitate global connections. - International travel and trade enable the exchange of goods and people. - Economic interactions between countries shape the global market and economic structures. - Transnational organizations, such as the UN and World Bank, play a crucial role in international relations and economic development.

War and Sustainability

• War significantly impacts sustainability efforts.
• War disrupts food supplies, water supplies, sanitary services, and governmental resources.
• Environmental degradation, pollution, and resource scarcity often result from war.
• Displacement, loss of life, and economic struggles contribute to communities challenged in achieving sustainability goals, from food access to family stability.

Explore key concepts related to globalization, urban density, and economic development in this quiz. Test your knowledge on sustainability, transnational organizations, and the impact of the information revolution on society. Perfect for students studying geography or social sciences.