17

Creating Sustainable Cities

and Towns: Principles and

Practices of Sustainable

Community Development

Chapter Outline

Cities and Towns as Networks of Systems

The Invisibility of Human Systems

Performance vs. Sustainability: Understanding a Crucial Difference

Why Are Human Systems Unsustainable?

The Challenge of Creating Sustainable Cities and Towns

Land-Use Planning and Sustainability

Sustainable Land-Use Planning: Choosing the Best Options

Statewide and Nationwide Sustainable Land-Use Planning

Beyond Zoning

Land-Use Planning in the Developing Nations

Shifting to a Sustainable Transportation System

Phase 1: The Move Toward Efficient Vehicles and Alternative Fuels

Phase 2: From Road to Rails, Buses, and Bicycles

Economic Changes Accompanying a Shift to Mass Transit

Key Terms

land-use planning dispersed development urban sprawl

compact development satellite development corridor development

greenbelts zoning regulations differential tax rate

development right mass transit telecommute

Objectives

1. List the human systems associated with cities and towns.

2. Discuss the two major challenges facing existing communities that are moving toward sustainability.

3. Define the following terms: “land-use planning,” “dispersed development,” “urban sprawl,” “compact development,” “satellite development,” and “corridor development.”

4. Compare the environmental impact of the community development approaches mentioned in question number three above.

5. Discuss what can be done by legislation to encourage sustainable land-use policies.

6. Define the following terms: “zoning regulations,” “differential tax rate,” and “development right.”

7. Summarize what can be done to make our transportation systems more sustainable.

8. Discuss what you can do personally to make human systems more sustainable in the community.

Lecture Outline

Cities and Towns as Networks of Systems

A. The Invisibility of Human Systems

1. It is hard for most people to accept the fact that human systems are unsustainable.

2. Human systems are invisible to most people. Systems were designed to be unobtrusive to us in our everyday lives.

B. Performance vs. Sustainability: Understanding a Crucial Difference

1. Just because a system is functioning well does not necessarily mean that it is sustainable.

C. Why Are Human Systems Unsustainable?

1. Human systems exceed the carrying capacity of the earth.

D. The Challenge of Creating Sustainable Cities and Towns

1. The existing infrastructure must be revamped to incorporate the principles of sustainability: more efficient use of energy /resources. This is called the redevelopment strategy.

2. New development must incorporate sustainable ideas and technologies.

Land-Use Planning and Sustainability

A. Sustainable Land-Use Planning: Choosing the Best Options

1. Dispersed Development (urban sprawl) - Dispersed development is the most environmentally unsustainable form of urban/suburban development.

a. It consumes excessive amounts of land that is often prime farmland.

b. Wildlife may be displaced from important habitat.

c. Habitat destruction often increases flooding.

d. The haphazard pattern of settlement produces aesthetically unpleasant results.

e. Vehicular traffic is increased adding commuting time, energy consumption, and air pollution.

f. The costs of providing infrastructure generally costs more than in alternative forms of development.

2. Compact Development - This is the most efficient of the development alternatives. Compact development creates a clear line between a city, a suburb, and the outlying area.

a. It requires less land than other forms of development.

b. It helps to preserve open space, farmland, wildlife habitat, etc.

c. Compact development minimizes vehicle miles traveled and can reduce energy consumption and air pollution.

d. It is cheaper from an economic perspective than other forms of development.

e. Compact development is successful in Europe.

B. Statewide and Nationwide Sustainable Land-Use Planning

1. Land-use planning should be encouraged on a statewide and nationwide basis.

C. Beyond Zoning

1. Many methods can help promote sustainable land-use patterns.

a. Zoning Regulations

b. Differential Tax Rates

c. Development Right

d. Making Growth Pay Its Own Way - Developers are held responsible for providing the cost of infrastructure in a new development project.

D. Land-Use Planning in the Developing Nations

1. Land-use planning and land reform are also needed in the developing nations to encourage sustainable land-use and development.

Shifting to a Sustainable Transportation System - Transportation consumes 30% of the energy used in the United States.

A. Phase 1: The Move Toward Efficient Vehicles and Alternative Fuels

1. Increased mileage in new cars and the development of autos which run on clean, alternative fuels can stretch our petroleum supplies and reduce transportation-related pollution.

B. Phase 2: From Road to Rails, Buses, and Bicycles

1. Mass transit can replace much of the use of autos if made available to most people.

2. Bicycles can be effective adjuncts to an efficient transportation system.

C. Economic Changes Accompanying a Shift to Mass Transit

1. Transportation system changes will have major economic impacts; these can be minimized with proper planning.

Suggestions for Presenting the Chapter

Ÿ Instructors should have students recognize the systems in their communities and evaluate their environmental impacts.

Ÿ A discussion of potential changes that would make local systems sustainable is an excellent activity. Discussion might focus on transportation: How is mass transit in your community? The focus should be on local issues that will affect your students.

Ÿ Examine the effects of development in your area. Is urban sprawl a problem? Is local government aware of and responsive to issues of sustainability?

Ÿ A class activity might focus on a local system that can be improved to become more sustainable. An activism project focused on the issue will give students first-hand experience.