My Geographical Learning for Chapter 9: Sustainable Development of Housing PDF

My Geographical Learning for CHAPTER 9 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF HOUSING Name: ____________________ ( ) Class: Sec 2 ___ Instructions: Bring this guide along with you for your geography lessons for Chapter 9 (Textbook Pages 60-87) ...

My Geographical Learning for CHAPTER 9 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF HOUSING Name: ____________________ ( ) Class: Sec 2 ___ Instructions: Bring this guide along with you for your geography lessons for Chapter 9 (Textbook Pages 60-87)  1 Background Information What does it mean to be sustainable? able to be maintained at a certain rate or level. able to be upheld or defended. Therefore, sustainable housing is to ensure: it does not affect the environment and the resources so that future generation can still enjoy the benefits of them. it is able to provide for the people and last for a long time. KQ 1: How does housing affect the natural environment? Housing developments in cities promote high-density living. increase resource demands There will be increase in needs: electricity to power devices food to eat water for sanitation space to dispose waste spaces for recreation To meet the demands, natural resources need to be extracted and used. Use of natural resources Deforestation → Forests are cleared to make space for the urban population as cities grow. When forests are cleared, it will result in: Lesser trees to take in carbon dioxide + Stored carbon in the soil is released → carbon dioxide traps more heat in the atmosphere leading to global warming. Loss of biodiversity Loss of food source  Loss of plants with medicinal values Natural resources are also need extensively as population in the cities grows. 2 Examples of natural resources used in our homes: Fuel → Burnt for cooking and to provide warmth Timber → Used to make furniture Natural Gas → Burnt to produce electricity to power appliances Steel → Use as the foundation to reinforce our homes Water → For drinking and for washing to maintain good sanitation. Cities get 80% of their water from surface sources. About 504 billion litres of water used by large cities per day. 1 in 4 cities are water-stressed due to geographical and financial limitations. Pollution Pollution is the introduction of substances that do not normally belong to the environment. a) Land Pollution Countries like Singapore manage by having Landfills and Incineration Plant. Incinerating our rubbish helps to reduce need for space for landfills, generate electricity as well as removes unpleasant odours. b) Water Pollution Some of the causes of water pollution are: Washing /Bathing / Defecating in water sources causing bacteria to grow Agrochemicals from agriculture being washed into water bodies 3 Surface run-off from streets causing contaminants from vehicles and other sources to be washed into the rivers. Dumping of untreated waste from industries and factories Leakage of fuel Can be managed through: proper waste disposal and the usage of natural natural pesticides and fertilisers c) Air Pollution Caused by: Burning of fossil fuels for energy and electricity Emissions from industries and factories during production. Emissions from motor vehicles during combustion Can be managed through: Monitor outdoor air quality and acknowledge negative impacts on people’s health Increase ridership on public transport Increase use of alternative cleaner energy such as solar power KQ 2: How does access to housing affect people? Quality of housing can affect people’s physical health and their access to amenities and communities. Positive interactions with neighbours will promote a sense of a sense of belonging and security whereas Hostile living conditions promote fear and unease.  4 The ABC of Quality Housing A – Amenities B – Basic Needs C – Communities Provision of Basic Needs City housing provides people with shelter, which is a basic human need. Basic Needs Function Shelter Roof to protect people from harsh weather condition Electricity Electrical wiring to provide electricity to power appliances Sanitation Bathroom with toilet bowl connected to underground sewers to prevent spread of diseases and improve people’s overall well being and health. Water Water pipes and sink providing water for consumption and washing Amenities Amenities are desirable or useful features of a place that makes life easier for its residents. 2 minutes challenge: Write down all the amenities you know. What amenities do you know? Did you miss out on these? Clinic Barber Hawker centres Supermarkets Banks Library Hospitals Shopping centres Communities Urban housing must also meet the social needs of people through common spaces for social gatherings. It allows people to make friends and seek companionship, Community spirit → Interactions and community spirit fostered amongst neighbours leads to a sense of belonging and inclusivity. Example: Kampung spirit 5 KQ 3: How can housing be sustainably managed? Strategies to ensure adequate quality housing includes Integrated Land-use Planning and the provision of Inclusive Public Housing. Environmental features such as zero-energy building design also promote sustainability. In areas with slums, government adopt a strategy of enhancement instead of eviction and demolition. Integrated Land-use Planning Integrated land-use planning is the process by which the needs of different groups and their competing demands can be resolved. Housing must not be built independently and away from other city functions. Different stakeholders need to come together to make decisions, manage and coordinate their activities so that economic, social and environmental needs can be met. Amenities, Transport and Support services must also be included within or surrounding the housing projects. Housing and Development Board (HDB) utilise the new town concept to develop self contained towns. Limitation The coordination of the many stakeholders is difficult, especially in countries where many different groups have competing perspectives. Provision of Inclusive Public Housing It is important to provide a wide range of housing to cater for different groups to meet their varying needs. Types of inclusiveness Type of house / facilities / features Small Family 2/3/4 rooms flats  Big Family 5 rooms / executive / mansionette flats 3-generation 3 gen / jumbo flats for family with 3 generations Wheelchair bound Ramps to assist wheelchair bound residents Visually impaired Braille and tactile markings on lift control buttons 6 Existing playground can be difficult for children with special needs. Inclusive playground allows children of different abilities come to better understand and accept one another. Features of Inclusive Playground Equipment to enhance strength, control and senses. Merry-go-round and swing with locking mechanism for wheelchairs Sensory experiences where children can play with bells and embossed diagram. Color contrast between the ground and equipment to guide people with visual impairment. Barrier free access from the carparks and bus stops Disability friendly washrooms nearby. Limitations It is costly to provide access to disadvantaged groups. It is also more time and effort consuming to vary the designs of public housing. Environmental Features in Buildings Incorporating environmental features into construction of homes also promote sustainability. Solar panels offset electrical consumption of common lighting. Water efficient fittings minimise water consumption. Green roofs and wall reduce surrounding temperatures. Recycling machines /bins minimise waste. Limitations Although environmentally friendly technologies may lead to cost saving in the long run, it is often expensive to install. Many people also do not understand the benefits of it and find it troublesome. (e.g. need to sort their thrash) Solar panels require regular maintenance and occasional repairs.  People may find solar panels unattractive. Improvements to the conditions of slums Many people in the world live in informal housing known as slums. Government in these countries realized it is more sustainable to enhance the living conditions than to attempt to evict or demolish them. Favela Bairro in Brazil seeks to improve access to basic services and building of quality homes, while involving the local community. 7 Benefits of improving the conditions of slums Residents are more motivated to invest in their own homes. Better access to basic services raises health levels and reduces the threats of diseases. Limitations Informal housing are built on plots of land not intended for housing use, thus it will lead to problems in future city development. The social issues of crime rates, unemployment and the stigmatization still exists. Conclusion Success of sustainable management of housing depends on a variety of factors. There is no one strategy or solution to solve a city’s housing challenges. Functions that a city serves Sustainable Management of Housing Economic Demographi development of c s of a city a city  city Location of a 8