Lecture: Urban Sustainability and Energy
🏙️ Urban Sustainability and Energy
1. What Is Urban Sustainability?
Urban sustainability means building cities that are green, inclusive, and resilient — serving current and future generations.
Sustainable cities:
- Use resources efficiently
- Reduce pollution and waste
- Provide affordable housing and services
- Promote equity and well-being
📌 Related to SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities
2. Challenges in Urban Areas
🌍 Over 55% of the world’s population lives in cities, projected to reach 68% by 2050.
Key urban challenges include:
- 🚦 Traffic congestion
- 🏚️ Housing shortages
- 🌫️ Air and noise pollution
- 🌡️ Urban heat islands
- 🗑️ Waste and water management
- 🧑🤝🧑 Social and economic inequality
3. Key Elements of Sustainable Urban Design
- 🚌 Public transport – clean, efficient, accessible
- 🌳 Green spaces – parks, green roofs, biodiversity
- 🏘️ Affordable housing – for all income levels
- ♻️ Efficient resource use – water, waste, materials
- 🏢 Mixed-use and compact cities – reduce urban sprawl
- 📱 Smart planning – data-driven and inclusive
4. The Role of Energy in Urban Sustainability
⚡ Cities consume over 75% of global energy and generate 70% of emissions.
Sustainable energy practices include:
- 🌞 Renewable energy (solar, wind, geothermal)
- 💡 Energy-efficient lighting and appliances
- 🚘 Clean mobility (e-bikes, electric vehicles, public transport)
- 🏗️ Green building design and smart grids
5. Energy Efficiency and Technology
Energy efficiency means achieving the same results using less energy.
Examples of smart technologies:
- 📶 Smart meters and grids
- 🏠 Passive solar building design
- 🔁 Automated systems for heating/cooling
- 📊 Real-time energy monitoring
6. Examples of Sustainable Cities
- 🇩🇰 Copenhagen – bike lanes, carbon-neutral by 2025
- 🇸🇬 Singapore – vertical greenery and smart tech
- 🇩🇪 Freiburg – solar energy leader
- 🇧🇷 Curitiba – efficient public transport system
7. Role of Citizens and Local Governments
Citizens can:
- 🚲 Use bikes, walk, or take public transport
- 💡 Save energy at home
- ♻️ Recycle and reduce waste
- 🛍️ Support local, sustainable businesses
Local governments can:
- 🌱 Invest in green infrastructure
- 📏 Set sustainability standards and codes
- 🏘️ Plan inclusive neighborhoods
- 🧑🤝🧑 Involve communities in decisions
✅ Key Takeaways
- Cities must be designed to be livable, inclusive, and resilient
- Energy efficiency and clean energy are central to sustainability
- Technology and planning make sustainable cities possible
- Everyone — citizens, local leaders, designers — plays a role
🎓 Final section: course review, final test, and certificate of completion.