Urbanization and Sustainable Cities - Chapter 1: Urban vs. Rural

**MODULE 7** **Urbanization and Sustainable Cities** **Chapter 1: Urban vs. Rural** +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | | **Urban** | **Rural** | +=======================+=======================+================...

**MODULE 7** **Urbanization and Sustainable Cities** **Chapter 1: Urban vs. Rural** +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | | **Urban** | **Rural** | +=======================+=======================+=======================+ | **Definition** | Urban or Urban | Rural or Rural | | | community refers to a | community is | | | human settlement that | typically | | | is characterized by | characterized by a | | | higher population | low population | | | density and more | density and its | | | developed | proximity to natural | | | infrastructure. | landscapes, such as | | | | forest, mountains, or | | | Consists of cities | agricultural fields. | | | and towns. | | | | | Usually far away from | | | | urban communities. | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | **Population | Characterized by high | Typically has lower | | Density** | population density, | population density, | | | with many people | with more spread-out | | | living in a | communities and | | | relatively small | larger land areas. | | | area. | | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | **Size of | Features large, | Comprises small | | Settlements** | densely populated | towns, villages, or | | | cities or towns with | isolated dwellings | | | complex | with simpler | | | infrastructure and | infrastructure and | | | services. | services. | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | **Economic | Dominated by | Primarily focused on | | Activities** | non-agricultural | agriculture, | | | activities such as | forestry, fishing, | | | commerce, finance, | and other primary | | | manufacturing, and | economic activities. | | | services. | | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | **Structures** | Well-developed | Basic infrastructure, | | | infrastructure, | with limited access | | | including advanced | to amenities and | | | transportation, | services. | | | communication, and | | | | utilities. | | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | **Lifestyle** | Fast-paced lifestyle, | Slower-paced | | | with access to a wide | lifestyle, closer | | | range of amenities, | connection to nature, | | | cultural events, and | and a focus on | | | entertainment. | community life. | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | **Cost of Living** | Generally Higher cost | Lower cost of living. | | | of living. | | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | **Social | More individualistic | Tighter social | | Relationship** | and diverse social | connections and | | | interactions. | community oriented. | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | **Examples** | Manila, New York, | Small towns, | | | London, & Tokyo. | villages, and | | | | agricultural areas. | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ **Chapter 2: Urbanization** **Urbanization** Human populations have tended to increase over time. As more people were born, small groups of individuals found reasons to come together to form groups and, with the advent of agriculture, small sedentary communities. A small number of these settlements grew into what we now call cities. This kind of growth often corresponds with a shift from one way of organizing labor to another. The world population has grown significantly, and our economies have become more industrialized over the past few hundred years. As a result, many more people have moved into cities. This process is known as urbanization. **Effects of Urbanization** **Megacities** **Urban Sprawl** **Environmental Impacts of Urbanization** **Threats** - Intensive urban growth can lead to greater poverty, with local governments unable to provide services for all people. - Greater air pollution with a significant impact on human health. - Automobile exhaust produces elevated lead levels in urban air. - Large volumes of uncollected waste create multiple health hazards. - Urban development can magnify the risk of environmental hazards such as flash flooding. - Pollution and physical barriers to root growth promote loss of urban tree cover. - Animal populations are inhibited by toxic substances, vehicles, and the loss of habitat and food sources. **Solutions** - Combat poverty by promoting economic development and job creation. - Involve local community in local government. - Reduce air pollution by upgrading energy use and alternative transport systems. - Create private-public partnerships to provide services such as waste disposal and housing. - Plant trees and incorporate the care of city green spaces as a key element in urban planning. **Chapter 3: Sustainable Cities** **Sustainable/Sustainability** - Able to be maintained at a certain rate or level. - Pertaining to a system that maintains its own viability by using techniques that allow for continual reuse. - *An act of meeting the needs of the current generation without compromising the ability for future generations to meet those same needs.* **Sustainable Development** - An approach to social, economic, and environmental planning that attempts to balance the social and economic needs of present and future human generations by preventing undue damage to, the natural environment. - A recognition of the instrumental value of a sound natural environment, including the importance of biodiversity **Economic Sustainability** - A concept of evaluating the environmental impact of any economic activities and devising goals to create a more sustainable future. **Sustainable City** - Also known as a green city or eco-city. - It is a city that is designed and operated to minimize its environmental impact while promoting social and economic sustainability. - It is a process to create urban environments that meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. - ***Benefits of a Sustainable Cities towards the environment:*** - Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions - Improved Air and Water Quality - Biodiversity Conservation - Waste Reduction and Recycling - Promotion of Sustainable Transportation - Enhanced Environmental Awareness - ***Examples of Sustainable Cities:*** - Vertical Gardens/Forests - The Vertical Forest in the heart of Milan - Singapore's Gardens by the Bay - SM Baguio City Sky Terrace