Do you think that the lifestyle of the inhabitants of your town or city reflects behavior that is in line with the concept of sustainable development? In your opinion, what should be improved?

1. Do you think that the lifestyle of the
inhabitants of your town or city reflects
behavior that is in line with the concept of
sustainable development? In your opinion,
what should be improved?
IE Admissions question G
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S

2. What is sustainable development?
S Development, that meets the needs of the present without compromising
the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, is called
sustainable. [1]
S Practical sustainable development in cities implies eco-efficiency and
green culture:
S Eco-efficiency provides a lucrative initiative for the economy to grow, while
using fewer resources and producing less waste.
S Green culture ensures the existence of natural heritage (such as rivers
and parks) and the correct mindset in which people understand and
appreciate the necessity of sustainability.
S Sustainable development has become ever more important. As a result
of continuously rapid and unsustainable development, we face increasing
environmental problems and scarcity in resources. [2]
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3. Berlin is economically thriving and
developing rapidly
S With Berlin having been united only a few years ago, it is just at the
beginning of becoming a modern metropolis. There are development
opportunities everywhere.
S Despite the Euro crisis and general economic downturn, the economy in
Berlin grew by more than 1.5%. [3]
S Berlin is the new creative technological hub of Europe with more than
330,000 startups already generating a turnover of over 22€ billion. [3]
S Vast amount of empty constructions sites and high demand for living
spaces have caused rents to rise more than 16%. [4]
S Clearly, Berlin is economically thriving and developing rapidly. It is
now time to ensure that this momentum is put on a sustainable
basis.
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4. Berlin lifestyle is already very much in
line with sustainable development
S Younger generations with limited money have developed highly
sustainable sharing concepts in Berlin:
S Cars are shared with electric car-sharing programs like DriveNow.
S Students live in shared apartments reducing their carbon footprint of living.
S Community gardening provides fresh and cheap vegetables while reducing
pollution in the city.
S Berlin is one of the most bike-friendly cities in the Europe. More than
13% of daily traffic is by bike and thus, car pollution is limited. [5]
S With the Tempelhof airport having been turned into a park, the city has
become more green than ever before. Additionally, every tree in Berlin is
tracked and thereby ensured to live as long as possible. [6]
S Strict construction laws require new buildings to be highly energy
efficient and ensure the preservation of both cultural and environmental
aspects.
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5. However, Berlin is also suffering from
unsustainable and degrading lifestyles
S The city is burdening its inhabitants with a high debt caused by the
reunification, high social security spending and, most recently, the unfinished
airport. [7]
S Travelling to work in Berlin is time-consuming and inefficient as public
transport between localities is not optimized.
S Inhabitants in Berlin do not separate trash and thus miss out on the chance
to save more than 403,000 tons of extra CO2 being produced each year. [8]
S The power network in Berlin is old and powered almost exclusively by coal.
S Many businesses do not see the economic benefit in eco-efficiency and do
not make use of environmental policies that would grant them tax breaks and
other benefits.
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6. Berlin needs to support and develop
existing sustainable development
S The government in Berlin needs to get its budget fixed and help improve
existing sustainable developments (bike lanes, car sharing, etc.).
S The fast growing business sector needs to use environmental policies to
their advantage and apply modern eco-efficient management principles.
This will allow businesses to grow and become the sustainable backbone
of the city.
S The individual inhabitants need to focus on being sustainable in
everyday aspects (like separating trash). Riding a bike and buying local
food is excellent but not enough.
S The government, businesses and individuals need to work together
to ensure sustainable development.
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7. Berlin can become a highly
sustainable city
S Berlin and its inhabitants should use the current momentum of economic
growth and let the creativity for sustainability flow. This will allow Berlin to
thrive in the near and distant future.
S The development needs to be monitored and observed to ensure that the
positive developments in the recent past are not overshadowed by
unsustainable developments.
S Berlin has the potential to become a leading sustainable
city if it continues to let modern sharing concepts, the
green infrastructure, low-emission construction and new
eco-efficient industries shape its path. Thereby, Berlin
needs to also get rid of old problems like debt and unclean
energy sources which hinder the sustainable
development.
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8. Bibliography
[1] "Sustainable development - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2013. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainable_development. [2] "Sustainable
Singapore." Why Sustainable Development Now? . N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2013.
<app.mewr.gov.sg/web/contents/ContentsSSS.aspx?ContId=1294 >. [3] Loke, Matthias. "Pole
Position für Berlin." Berliner Zeitung. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2013. www.berliner-
zeitung.de/wirtschaft/wirtschaftswachstum-pole-position-fuer-berlin,10808230,20600348.html . [4]
"Wohnungsmangel und Mietsteigerung: Teures Großstadtpflaster - Wirtschaft | STERN.DE."
Nachrichten - Aktuelle News, Hintergründe und bildstarke Reportagen | STERN.DE. N.p., n.d. Web.
10 Mar. 2013. http://www.stern.de/wirtschaft/immobilien/wohnungsmangel-und-mietsteigerung-
teures-grossstadtpflaster-1752246.html. [5] Otto, Stefan. "Platz da! – für die Radfahrer." Neues
Deutschland. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2013. www.neues-deutschland.de/artikel/193840.platz-da-
8211-fuer-die-radfahrer.html. [6] Fesperman, Dan. "Berlin Trees Numbered." Baltimore Sun. N.p.,
n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2013. <articles.baltimoresun.com/1996-04-26/news/1996117052_1_trees-berlin-
brandenburg-gate >. [7] "Leere Kassen: Vier Bundesländern drohen griechische Verhältnisse."
Spiegel Online. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2013. www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/soziales/leere-kassen-vier-
bundeslaendern-drohen-griechische-verhaeltnisse-a-764436.html . [8] "Berlin trennt!." BSR. N.p.,
n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2013. <www.bsr.de/6688_12769.html >.
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