This document summarizes a conference paper on the influence of property concepts on urban sustainability. It argues that current notions of private property contribute to environmental degradation in cities by treating urban space primarily as an economic resource rather than environmental heritage. It proposes that unifying fragmented unused spaces between buildings into shared green areas could help cities reduce waste, promote recycling, and improve living conditions in a more sustainable way. The paper presents a case study and proposals for reorganizing an urban square in Athens to transform unused spaces into a park that can help assimilate recycled water and compost from nearby residences.
The document discusses the unsustainability of modern cities and proposes a new urban design model called "urban eco-regions". It argues that cities are overly dependent on resources from outside their boundaries and produce too much waste. It suggests redesigning cities to be more self-sufficient by including their surrounding productive lands and ecosystems within their political jurisdictions. The goal would be for urban eco-regions to meet most of their residents' needs locally while dramatically reducing their ecological footprints to become contributors rather than burdens to the global environment.
Sustainable city planning aims to design cities in a way that considers social, economic, and environmental impacts without compromising future generations' ability to enjoy the same benefits. This involves minimizing energy, water, food, waste and pollution outputs. Sustainable cities benefit from dense urban living that promotes social interaction and public transit use while reducing environmental impacts. Key methods for sustainable city planning include renewable energy sources, green spaces, efficient public transport, optimal building density, urban farming, and walkable neighborhoods. Sustainable architecture, drainage systems, and transportation modes can also contribute to more sustainable urban development.
This document discusses solid and liquid waste management in rural areas of India. It notes that while waste generated in rural areas is predominantly organic and biodegradable, improper disposal of solid and liquid waste is leading to various diseases. Close to 88% of total disease burden is due to lack of clean water and sanitation. The objectives of solid and liquid waste management in rural areas include protecting health, reducing pollution, promoting recycling and reuse, generating energy, and creating rural employment. A strategy and management approach are proposed that focus on community involvement, decentralized technologies, and household-level management with community support. A three-step process of information collection, participatory planning, and action plan preparation is also outlined.
Eco-city is defined as an ecologically healthy city that provides abundance to its inhabitants through renewable resources and minimizes waste and pollution. The document outlines the key elements of an eco-city including green spaces like community gardens, parks and plantations to make the city green. Clean city initiatives involve proper waste management and disposal. The eco-city aims to rely on renewable energy sources like solar, wind and hydro power. Building green spaces, corridors, forests and farms are essential, as well as green buildings that efficiently use energy and resources. Challenges include existing infrastructure and costs, while suggestions are encouraging renewable energy, public transport, education and strict environmental laws.
This document discusses urban ecology and sustainability. It covers topics such as methods to study urban ecology including remote sensing and long-term ecological research. It also addresses urban biodiversity, ecosystem services, and the effects of urbanization on the environment. Finally, it proposes strategies to promote urban sustainability, such as urban gardening, food forests, investing in downtown areas, and sustainable landscapes and buildings. The overall aim is to understand human and ecological processes in cities and help societies become more sustainable.
Urban ecology is the study of the relationship between living and non-living components of human-settled environments. It examines how human influences impact plant and animal populations in cities, and how urban ecosystems provide functions that support human populations. Urban ecology also considers the interactions between biophysical forces and socio-economic aspects of cities. It aims to quantify energy, material, and nutrient flows needed to sustain urban systems. Key analytical tools used in urban ecology include systems flow diagramming, environmental gradient analysis, correlation analysis, footprint analysis, and emergy analysis. These tools help evaluate cities' socio-ecological metabolism and trade-offs between alternative development choices.
Urban ecology: will we act before its too late?Gururaja KV
This talk is given at CiSTUP foundation day, on 4 Jan 2010, IISc, Bangalore. Deals with Urban ecology in general and what I am interested in, in particular. Simple, straight lecture.
Ecosystem Services in Urban Areas
`
For more information, Please see websites below:
`
Organic Edible Schoolyards & Gardening with Children
http://scribd.com/doc/239851214
`
Double Food Production from your School Garden with Organic Tech
http://scribd.com/doc/239851079
`
Free School Gardening Art Posters
http://scribd.com/doc/239851159`
`
Increase Food Production with Companion Planting in your School Garden
http://scribd.com/doc/239851159
`
Healthy Foods Dramatically Improves Student Academic Success
http://scribd.com/doc/239851348
`
City Chickens for your Organic School Garden
http://scribd.com/doc/239850440
`
Simple Square Foot Gardening for Schools - Teacher Guide
http://scribd.com/doc/239851110
The document discusses the unsustainability of modern cities and proposes a new urban design model called "urban eco-regions". It argues that cities are overly dependent on resources from outside their boundaries and produce too much waste. It suggests redesigning cities to be more self-sufficient by including their surrounding productive lands and ecosystems within their political jurisdictions. The goal would be for urban eco-regions to meet most of their residents' needs locally while dramatically reducing their ecological footprints to become contributors rather than burdens to the global environment.
Sustainable city planning aims to design cities in a way that considers social, economic, and environmental impacts without compromising future generations' ability to enjoy the same benefits. This involves minimizing energy, water, food, waste and pollution outputs. Sustainable cities benefit from dense urban living that promotes social interaction and public transit use while reducing environmental impacts. Key methods for sustainable city planning include renewable energy sources, green spaces, efficient public transport, optimal building density, urban farming, and walkable neighborhoods. Sustainable architecture, drainage systems, and transportation modes can also contribute to more sustainable urban development.
This document discusses solid and liquid waste management in rural areas of India. It notes that while waste generated in rural areas is predominantly organic and biodegradable, improper disposal of solid and liquid waste is leading to various diseases. Close to 88% of total disease burden is due to lack of clean water and sanitation. The objectives of solid and liquid waste management in rural areas include protecting health, reducing pollution, promoting recycling and reuse, generating energy, and creating rural employment. A strategy and management approach are proposed that focus on community involvement, decentralized technologies, and household-level management with community support. A three-step process of information collection, participatory planning, and action plan preparation is also outlined.
Eco-city is defined as an ecologically healthy city that provides abundance to its inhabitants through renewable resources and minimizes waste and pollution. The document outlines the key elements of an eco-city including green spaces like community gardens, parks and plantations to make the city green. Clean city initiatives involve proper waste management and disposal. The eco-city aims to rely on renewable energy sources like solar, wind and hydro power. Building green spaces, corridors, forests and farms are essential, as well as green buildings that efficiently use energy and resources. Challenges include existing infrastructure and costs, while suggestions are encouraging renewable energy, public transport, education and strict environmental laws.
This document discusses urban ecology and sustainability. It covers topics such as methods to study urban ecology including remote sensing and long-term ecological research. It also addresses urban biodiversity, ecosystem services, and the effects of urbanization on the environment. Finally, it proposes strategies to promote urban sustainability, such as urban gardening, food forests, investing in downtown areas, and sustainable landscapes and buildings. The overall aim is to understand human and ecological processes in cities and help societies become more sustainable.
Urban ecology is the study of the relationship between living and non-living components of human-settled environments. It examines how human influences impact plant and animal populations in cities, and how urban ecosystems provide functions that support human populations. Urban ecology also considers the interactions between biophysical forces and socio-economic aspects of cities. It aims to quantify energy, material, and nutrient flows needed to sustain urban systems. Key analytical tools used in urban ecology include systems flow diagramming, environmental gradient analysis, correlation analysis, footprint analysis, and emergy analysis. These tools help evaluate cities' socio-ecological metabolism and trade-offs between alternative development choices.
Urban ecology: will we act before its too late?Gururaja KV
This talk is given at CiSTUP foundation day, on 4 Jan 2010, IISc, Bangalore. Deals with Urban ecology in general and what I am interested in, in particular. Simple, straight lecture.
Ecosystem Services in Urban Areas
`
For more information, Please see websites below:
`
Organic Edible Schoolyards & Gardening with Children
http://scribd.com/doc/239851214
`
Double Food Production from your School Garden with Organic Tech
http://scribd.com/doc/239851079
`
Free School Gardening Art Posters
http://scribd.com/doc/239851159`
`
Increase Food Production with Companion Planting in your School Garden
http://scribd.com/doc/239851159
`
Healthy Foods Dramatically Improves Student Academic Success
http://scribd.com/doc/239851348
`
City Chickens for your Organic School Garden
http://scribd.com/doc/239850440
`
Simple Square Foot Gardening for Schools - Teacher Guide
http://scribd.com/doc/239851110
Relationship between community and nature in the egyptian villages efla2012Ahmed Haron
The relationship between man and nature since the dawn of history embodied in the first agricultural community in the valley of the Nile in Egypt, which is one of the early societies that were formed and connected to nature. This community has been affected and influenced this nature to form one of the great civilizations over history. This relationship has continued in this valley to evolve towns, villages, countries and different communities and the key factors of these communities were water and greenery .
In recent times as a result of social, cultural and urban changes, this distinctive relationship face a set of challenges and problems that may affect the natural environment where it began migration from rural to urban areas and the collapse of the traditional concept of farming so that the urban population in Egypt could reach from 40% in 2010 to 60% in 2030, threatening the agricultural environment. Facing main reasons like the cultures of social change to rural communities in Egypt and the lack of scientific development environment may help these communities to survive and extent.
Egyptian lakes have social and environmental mixture which mixing between farmers, fishers and Bedouins. These various societies and different cultures live together surrounding Egyptian lakes that give these sites very special character. Villages surrounding lakes are contorted with number of problems such as accommodations, rapidly growing populations, unemployment, lack of education and lack of environmental awareness.
The research presents the problem of these communities surrounding Egyptian lakes and the development of methods and environmental performance of these urban communities in line with the challenges of recent time.
The aim of this paper is to formulate a conceptual framework to achieve the harmony between Urban, community and surrounding nature in Egyptian villages. Through an interdisciplinary literature review the concepts of green and social infrastructure. Finally, based on a synthesis of the literature a conceptual framework is presented.
Why natural environment is important in urban planningLalinda Perera
The natural environment encompasses all living and non-living things occurring naturally, and is important for human survival. Urban planning helps achieve sustainable development by balancing growth with environmental protection and distributing resources equitably. The natural environment is crucial for urban planning because it supports human life and well-being directly. Failure to consider the environment can lead to issues like reduced water supply, loss of natural beauty, increased natural disasters, and soil degradation. Effective urban planning protects the natural environment by incorporating green infrastructure, sustainable construction, flood management, waste management, and wildlife protection.
This document discusses topics related to food security, permaculture, organic farming, and re-localization. It provides information on permaculture principles and design elements like zones and guilds. Methods discussed include square foot gardening, permablitzes, and using biochar to improve soil quality and sequester carbon. The overall message is that permaculture offers sustainable small-scale food production that decreases food miles and reliance on industrial agriculture.
IRJET- Water Imprints: The Process of Contemporary Urbanization for [Re]-Stru...IRJET Journal
This document discusses the process of urbanization in Dhaka, Bangladesh and how it has impacted the relationship between urban and rural areas. It notes that rapid urban growth has physically separated cities from natural resources like water and open spaces. The lack of connection between urban and environmental areas has exacerbated water crises and degraded the land. The document argues that water can be a sustainable element to reconnect cities to surrounding territories if it is incorporated into the spatial structure of urban planning. It examines theories of regionalism, environmentalism, and transects - the grading of habitats from rural to urban. Integrating ecological elements like water and green spaces into urban planning could make cities and their surrounding areas more livable while regenerating the relationship between urban
ECO CITY AND ITS FUTURE PLAN,VISION CONTESTswarna dey
An Eco-city is a human settlement modeled on the self-sustaining resilient structure & function of natural ecosystems.
Our dream for an eco-city would be that of elimination of carbon waste, energy production entirely through renewable resources, & merging the city harmoniously with the natural environment.
How to make our city more connected to the nature? The answer lies within some interconnected methods.
To begin with, the advocacy of vertical gardens in Dhaka that hates being decorated with extensive use of architectural glass as a building material that snowballs temperature drastically. A green wall is a wall partially or completely covered with greenery that includes a growing medium, such as soil or a substrate. They, may be indoors or outside, freestanding or attached to an existing wall, & come in a great variety of sizes. It’s a paramount & cost-effective solution to pollution. It wanes urban heat island effect & smog, cleanses outside air of pollutants & dust, cleans interior air space by removing VOCs, acts as a sound proofing barrier, insulates the building envelop, creates habitats for avifauna & insects, helps patients to recuperate through biophilia, assists children with ADHD to focus on studies.
Next, the promotion of urban forestry is needed which manifests the care & management of tree populations in urban settings for the purpose of improving the urban environment. Landscape architecture combining with urban forestry can provide many facilities such as scaling down storm water runoff, axing air pollution, downsizing energy costs through increased shade over buildings, enhancing property values, improving wildlife habitat, & mitigating environmental impact.
Lastly, the proper evaluation & expansion of Horticulture can be a stroke of luck for us. It includes plant conservation, landscape restoration, garden design & maintenance. Garden designing in buildings, specially rooftops & corridors can bring indefinite benefits. The implications of Arboriculture, turf management, floriculture, olericulture & landscape horticulture in urban areas will demonstrate tangible improvements in economic, psychological and other outcomes, access to nature.
Ian McHarg published his landmark book "Design with Nature" in 1969 which laid out an environmentally conscious approach to urban planning. In it, he advocated evaluating land use based on its natural characteristics and limitations rather than just economic factors. The book described McHarg's method of landscape analysis which broke regions down into their appropriate land uses based on environmental attributes. It was a pioneering work that helped launch the modern environmental planning movement. McHarg viewed nature as an interactive system with intrinsic values that should inform human development, not just be dominated by it. He saw the interdependence between humanity and natural systems like plants that support all life.
Coastal cities resilience for climate changeAhmed Haron
This paper aims at studying the impacts of climate change on Egyptian northern coastal zones and exploring the urban resilience to the effects of climate change. In this regard, the current paper discusses the concept of resilience and describes the city resilience framework.
This document discusses urban ecology and the importance of integrating ecology into cities for sustainability. It describes how urbanization can disrupt ecological functions and habitats. Green networks of interconnected natural areas can help mitigate these impacts by preserving biodiversity and ecosystem services. Examples of green network elements are provided, including river restoration, urban nature preserves, wildlife crossings, and converting vacant lands and brownfields into natural areas. The document uses case studies like the Enz River in Germany and BP Park in Australia to illustrate successful green network projects.
This is a presentation I have given for a group of students, which are joining for a study trip to Copenhagen and Malmo. The study trip is focussing on innovative ideas and cases with show cases in the two cities around the three core topics of this excursion: 1. Urban Metabolism 2. Urban Food 3. Urban Climate. My presentation was a contribution to the topic "Urban Metabolism" and includes some of the ideas of our research group.
The trip has been organized by RUW, a Wageningen foundation. RUW organizes activities about "green issues" These activities facilitate the exchange of knowledge and views between students, scientists, policymakers, industry and other relevant actors. By its activities, RUW contributes to a dynamic platform for everybody who wants to discuss, share and gain knowledge about green issues such as group discussions, lectures, debates and excursions.
1. The document discusses the urbanization of nature and its historical development from the 19th century ideas of Marx and Engels to the present.
2. It analyzes the concepts of urban sustainability, environmental injustice, and urban political ecology. Urban political ecology views urbanization as producing socio-environmental inequalities through the commodification and control of nature.
3. The document argues that current approaches have reached an impasse and calls for re-politicizing urban political ecology by making equality and democracy the foundation for eco-political demands aimed at more just and sustainable urban environments.
This document provides an overview of a university course on landscape design. It defines key terms related to landscape architecture and design. It discusses the different elements that make up a landscape design, including landforms, hardscapes, plantings, water features, site furniture, lighting, and pedestrian circulation. It also provides examples of different types of landscapes and discusses the importance of landscape design for environmental, social, and economic outcomes. The document concludes with discussing the various fields incorporated in landscape design and the components and process of landscape design.
Land use and land-use change are central to economic and social development but can threaten sustainability. Sustainable land management practices like landscape restoration, low-carbon agriculture, and management techniques offer opportunities to reverse losses and yield financial benefits through improved outputs, ecotourism, and reduced costs. While markets can support landscape sustainability, non-market mechanisms are also needed like public funding, trusts, and land use planning. For long term sustainability, landscapes must endure over time by reusing infrastructure and retrofitting places to foster community and reduce vehicle dependence.
This document summarizes the structure and objectives of a Master of Landscape Architecture program focusing on water in constructing ecologies. The program includes courses in landscape systems, terrain analysis, and constructing landscape systems. Students work in interdisciplinary teams and analyze landscapes through ecology, design ecosystem interventions, and conceptualize projects. The document discusses relevant schools of thought and frameworks for ecosystem evaluation and intervention. It explores conceptual ways to approach water as a primary structuring element and driver for landscape productivity and sustainability.
This document discusses urban green infrastructure and greenways. It defines urban green infrastructure as parts of the city that contribute to keeping water and air clean through processes like parks, stream corridors, and vacant lands. These spaces offer opportunities to maintain clean cities and recreational areas when viewed as an integrated system. Greenways are routes that combine natural amenities like forests and rivers with paths. There are different types of greenways including urban riverside, recreational, and those based on ecology, scenic history, or landforms. Design considerations for greenways include defining a flexible corridor, maintaining greenery, and prioritizing safety, wayfinding, interpretation, and universal design.
This document summarizes key points about managing urban water resources. It discusses that water is essential for life and critical for social, economic, and environmental sustainability. Three emerging global water crises are identified as lack of sanitary water/wastewater in the global south, degradation of freshwater supplies by pollution, and looming shortfalls between supply and demand. It also outlines challenges like water shortages, conflict over limited resources, and the need for sustainable planning to balance supply and demand under population and economic growth.
This document provides a program for a proposed architecture project in Bakersfield, California that aims to rehabilitate blighted areas and connect communities through sustainable design. The project will focus on an area known as Old Town, which suffers from issues like food deserts and lacks public space. By combining biomimicry and modern technology, the project will design "filtering skins" to help clean the air pollution in the valley. It will also strengthen communities and discourage sprawl through adaptive reuse of existing structures. The project will be located on two existing lots along Mill Creek to link neighborhoods and downtown via pedestrian paths.
Land and water resources make up 70% and 30% of the Earth's surface respectively. Overpopulation puts pressure on these limited resources. Key uses of land include agriculture, housing, recreation, and industry. Urbanization is driven by factors like improved job opportunities and social services in cities, leading to rural population shifts. Solutions to water scarcity involve desalination, recycling, catchment expansion, conservation, and international cooperation.
أحداث منتظرة
الأربعاء 20 جانفي 2016:
9.00 ندوة دولية حول انطلاق مشروع التوأمة بين وزارتي العدل التونسية والفرنسية والمؤسسة الألمانية للتعاون القانوني لفائدة الإدارة العامة للسجون والإصلاح "
نزل المشتل بالعاصمة
9.00 ندوة نقابية بعنوان" من أجل مقاربة تربوية عربية لمقاومة الإرهاب والتطرّف"
المركز الوطني للغات بالبحيرة 2
9.00 زيارة عمل لوزير الفلاحة بمناسبة انطلاق موسم جني القوارص
معتمدية منزل بوزلفة
9.30 اجتماع لجان مجلس نواب الشعب
مقر المجلس بباردو
10.00 ندوة دولية حول " مكافحة الاتجار بالأشخاص: تبادل التجارب بين تونس وأوروبا
نزل رمادة بلازا بقمرت
10.00 تجمّع نقابي بمناسبة سبعينية الاتحاد العام التونسي للشغل
قصر المؤتمرات بالعاصمة
15.00 تظاهرة ثقافية بمناسبة ذكرى وفاة الطاهر الحداد
دار الكتب الوطنية بالعاصمة
Relationship between community and nature in the egyptian villages efla2012Ahmed Haron
The relationship between man and nature since the dawn of history embodied in the first agricultural community in the valley of the Nile in Egypt, which is one of the early societies that were formed and connected to nature. This community has been affected and influenced this nature to form one of the great civilizations over history. This relationship has continued in this valley to evolve towns, villages, countries and different communities and the key factors of these communities were water and greenery .
In recent times as a result of social, cultural and urban changes, this distinctive relationship face a set of challenges and problems that may affect the natural environment where it began migration from rural to urban areas and the collapse of the traditional concept of farming so that the urban population in Egypt could reach from 40% in 2010 to 60% in 2030, threatening the agricultural environment. Facing main reasons like the cultures of social change to rural communities in Egypt and the lack of scientific development environment may help these communities to survive and extent.
Egyptian lakes have social and environmental mixture which mixing between farmers, fishers and Bedouins. These various societies and different cultures live together surrounding Egyptian lakes that give these sites very special character. Villages surrounding lakes are contorted with number of problems such as accommodations, rapidly growing populations, unemployment, lack of education and lack of environmental awareness.
The research presents the problem of these communities surrounding Egyptian lakes and the development of methods and environmental performance of these urban communities in line with the challenges of recent time.
The aim of this paper is to formulate a conceptual framework to achieve the harmony between Urban, community and surrounding nature in Egyptian villages. Through an interdisciplinary literature review the concepts of green and social infrastructure. Finally, based on a synthesis of the literature a conceptual framework is presented.
Why natural environment is important in urban planningLalinda Perera
The natural environment encompasses all living and non-living things occurring naturally, and is important for human survival. Urban planning helps achieve sustainable development by balancing growth with environmental protection and distributing resources equitably. The natural environment is crucial for urban planning because it supports human life and well-being directly. Failure to consider the environment can lead to issues like reduced water supply, loss of natural beauty, increased natural disasters, and soil degradation. Effective urban planning protects the natural environment by incorporating green infrastructure, sustainable construction, flood management, waste management, and wildlife protection.
This document discusses topics related to food security, permaculture, organic farming, and re-localization. It provides information on permaculture principles and design elements like zones and guilds. Methods discussed include square foot gardening, permablitzes, and using biochar to improve soil quality and sequester carbon. The overall message is that permaculture offers sustainable small-scale food production that decreases food miles and reliance on industrial agriculture.
IRJET- Water Imprints: The Process of Contemporary Urbanization for [Re]-Stru...IRJET Journal
This document discusses the process of urbanization in Dhaka, Bangladesh and how it has impacted the relationship between urban and rural areas. It notes that rapid urban growth has physically separated cities from natural resources like water and open spaces. The lack of connection between urban and environmental areas has exacerbated water crises and degraded the land. The document argues that water can be a sustainable element to reconnect cities to surrounding territories if it is incorporated into the spatial structure of urban planning. It examines theories of regionalism, environmentalism, and transects - the grading of habitats from rural to urban. Integrating ecological elements like water and green spaces into urban planning could make cities and their surrounding areas more livable while regenerating the relationship between urban
ECO CITY AND ITS FUTURE PLAN,VISION CONTESTswarna dey
An Eco-city is a human settlement modeled on the self-sustaining resilient structure & function of natural ecosystems.
Our dream for an eco-city would be that of elimination of carbon waste, energy production entirely through renewable resources, & merging the city harmoniously with the natural environment.
How to make our city more connected to the nature? The answer lies within some interconnected methods.
To begin with, the advocacy of vertical gardens in Dhaka that hates being decorated with extensive use of architectural glass as a building material that snowballs temperature drastically. A green wall is a wall partially or completely covered with greenery that includes a growing medium, such as soil or a substrate. They, may be indoors or outside, freestanding or attached to an existing wall, & come in a great variety of sizes. It’s a paramount & cost-effective solution to pollution. It wanes urban heat island effect & smog, cleanses outside air of pollutants & dust, cleans interior air space by removing VOCs, acts as a sound proofing barrier, insulates the building envelop, creates habitats for avifauna & insects, helps patients to recuperate through biophilia, assists children with ADHD to focus on studies.
Next, the promotion of urban forestry is needed which manifests the care & management of tree populations in urban settings for the purpose of improving the urban environment. Landscape architecture combining with urban forestry can provide many facilities such as scaling down storm water runoff, axing air pollution, downsizing energy costs through increased shade over buildings, enhancing property values, improving wildlife habitat, & mitigating environmental impact.
Lastly, the proper evaluation & expansion of Horticulture can be a stroke of luck for us. It includes plant conservation, landscape restoration, garden design & maintenance. Garden designing in buildings, specially rooftops & corridors can bring indefinite benefits. The implications of Arboriculture, turf management, floriculture, olericulture & landscape horticulture in urban areas will demonstrate tangible improvements in economic, psychological and other outcomes, access to nature.
Ian McHarg published his landmark book "Design with Nature" in 1969 which laid out an environmentally conscious approach to urban planning. In it, he advocated evaluating land use based on its natural characteristics and limitations rather than just economic factors. The book described McHarg's method of landscape analysis which broke regions down into their appropriate land uses based on environmental attributes. It was a pioneering work that helped launch the modern environmental planning movement. McHarg viewed nature as an interactive system with intrinsic values that should inform human development, not just be dominated by it. He saw the interdependence between humanity and natural systems like plants that support all life.
Coastal cities resilience for climate changeAhmed Haron
This paper aims at studying the impacts of climate change on Egyptian northern coastal zones and exploring the urban resilience to the effects of climate change. In this regard, the current paper discusses the concept of resilience and describes the city resilience framework.
This document discusses urban ecology and the importance of integrating ecology into cities for sustainability. It describes how urbanization can disrupt ecological functions and habitats. Green networks of interconnected natural areas can help mitigate these impacts by preserving biodiversity and ecosystem services. Examples of green network elements are provided, including river restoration, urban nature preserves, wildlife crossings, and converting vacant lands and brownfields into natural areas. The document uses case studies like the Enz River in Germany and BP Park in Australia to illustrate successful green network projects.
This is a presentation I have given for a group of students, which are joining for a study trip to Copenhagen and Malmo. The study trip is focussing on innovative ideas and cases with show cases in the two cities around the three core topics of this excursion: 1. Urban Metabolism 2. Urban Food 3. Urban Climate. My presentation was a contribution to the topic "Urban Metabolism" and includes some of the ideas of our research group.
The trip has been organized by RUW, a Wageningen foundation. RUW organizes activities about "green issues" These activities facilitate the exchange of knowledge and views between students, scientists, policymakers, industry and other relevant actors. By its activities, RUW contributes to a dynamic platform for everybody who wants to discuss, share and gain knowledge about green issues such as group discussions, lectures, debates and excursions.
1. The document discusses the urbanization of nature and its historical development from the 19th century ideas of Marx and Engels to the present.
2. It analyzes the concepts of urban sustainability, environmental injustice, and urban political ecology. Urban political ecology views urbanization as producing socio-environmental inequalities through the commodification and control of nature.
3. The document argues that current approaches have reached an impasse and calls for re-politicizing urban political ecology by making equality and democracy the foundation for eco-political demands aimed at more just and sustainable urban environments.
This document provides an overview of a university course on landscape design. It defines key terms related to landscape architecture and design. It discusses the different elements that make up a landscape design, including landforms, hardscapes, plantings, water features, site furniture, lighting, and pedestrian circulation. It also provides examples of different types of landscapes and discusses the importance of landscape design for environmental, social, and economic outcomes. The document concludes with discussing the various fields incorporated in landscape design and the components and process of landscape design.
Land use and land-use change are central to economic and social development but can threaten sustainability. Sustainable land management practices like landscape restoration, low-carbon agriculture, and management techniques offer opportunities to reverse losses and yield financial benefits through improved outputs, ecotourism, and reduced costs. While markets can support landscape sustainability, non-market mechanisms are also needed like public funding, trusts, and land use planning. For long term sustainability, landscapes must endure over time by reusing infrastructure and retrofitting places to foster community and reduce vehicle dependence.
This document summarizes the structure and objectives of a Master of Landscape Architecture program focusing on water in constructing ecologies. The program includes courses in landscape systems, terrain analysis, and constructing landscape systems. Students work in interdisciplinary teams and analyze landscapes through ecology, design ecosystem interventions, and conceptualize projects. The document discusses relevant schools of thought and frameworks for ecosystem evaluation and intervention. It explores conceptual ways to approach water as a primary structuring element and driver for landscape productivity and sustainability.
This document discusses urban green infrastructure and greenways. It defines urban green infrastructure as parts of the city that contribute to keeping water and air clean through processes like parks, stream corridors, and vacant lands. These spaces offer opportunities to maintain clean cities and recreational areas when viewed as an integrated system. Greenways are routes that combine natural amenities like forests and rivers with paths. There are different types of greenways including urban riverside, recreational, and those based on ecology, scenic history, or landforms. Design considerations for greenways include defining a flexible corridor, maintaining greenery, and prioritizing safety, wayfinding, interpretation, and universal design.
This document summarizes key points about managing urban water resources. It discusses that water is essential for life and critical for social, economic, and environmental sustainability. Three emerging global water crises are identified as lack of sanitary water/wastewater in the global south, degradation of freshwater supplies by pollution, and looming shortfalls between supply and demand. It also outlines challenges like water shortages, conflict over limited resources, and the need for sustainable planning to balance supply and demand under population and economic growth.
This document provides a program for a proposed architecture project in Bakersfield, California that aims to rehabilitate blighted areas and connect communities through sustainable design. The project will focus on an area known as Old Town, which suffers from issues like food deserts and lacks public space. By combining biomimicry and modern technology, the project will design "filtering skins" to help clean the air pollution in the valley. It will also strengthen communities and discourage sprawl through adaptive reuse of existing structures. The project will be located on two existing lots along Mill Creek to link neighborhoods and downtown via pedestrian paths.
Land and water resources make up 70% and 30% of the Earth's surface respectively. Overpopulation puts pressure on these limited resources. Key uses of land include agriculture, housing, recreation, and industry. Urbanization is driven by factors like improved job opportunities and social services in cities, leading to rural population shifts. Solutions to water scarcity involve desalination, recycling, catchment expansion, conservation, and international cooperation.
أحداث منتظرة
الأربعاء 20 جانفي 2016:
9.00 ندوة دولية حول انطلاق مشروع التوأمة بين وزارتي العدل التونسية والفرنسية والمؤسسة الألمانية للتعاون القانوني لفائدة الإدارة العامة للسجون والإصلاح "
نزل المشتل بالعاصمة
9.00 ندوة نقابية بعنوان" من أجل مقاربة تربوية عربية لمقاومة الإرهاب والتطرّف"
المركز الوطني للغات بالبحيرة 2
9.00 زيارة عمل لوزير الفلاحة بمناسبة انطلاق موسم جني القوارص
معتمدية منزل بوزلفة
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Similar to The Influence of Property on the City's Sustainable Development (20)
The Influence of Property on the City's Sustainable Development
1. Proceedings of the 10
th
International Conference on Environmental Science and Technology
Kos island, Greece, 5 – 7 September 2007
A-120
THE INFLUENCE OF PROPERTY ON THE CITY’S SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT
M. BAKALI1
and P. CHATZIMPIROS2
1
National Technical University of Athens, Faculty of Civil Engineering,
Dept. of Water Resources, Athens, Greece
2
French Institute of Urban Studies, University 8, Paris, France
e-mail: mariabac@gmail.com
EXTENDED ABSTRACT
Nowadays cities act as economic, social and cultural magnets, often at the cost of the
environmental and aesthetical degradation of their landscape. The consumption patterns
adopted by modern societies have contributed to the downgrade of natural resources and
to the large amount of waste produced. In order to achieve sustainability within the city, it
is necessary to adopt the adequate policies of reduce, recycle and reuse of waste. The
introduction of recycling and water reuse systems in local scale can result both in the
reduction of the city’s waste disposal and in the use of the regained nutrients and water in
favour of the creation of areas of aesthetic pleasure within the building square. Thus,
sustainability is approached both on city level (reduction of used resources and relief of
central systems of waste treatment) and on local level (improvement of living conditions).
However, in order to realize these more sustainable urban forms some changes, such as
social attitudes and long-term planning, are essential. This urban redevelopment can be
achieved under the condition that the mentality of citizens in terms of property and
privatization of space will be altered. The increased competitiveness due to the high
density of cities leads to the scarcity of land and therefore to its higher evaluation.
However, the spare space among the buildings rests unused and is under-priced. The
unification of these fragmented parts and their further transformation into an urban green
space in which an assimilation of waste is achieved can result in their reassessment and
in the promotion of the sustainability within the city. The building square is used as the
main tool for the reorganization of urban space. A typical building square of a
downgraded district of Athens is examined. Appropriate calculations were made in order
to estimate the quantities of reclaimed greywater and compost produced and the
minimum surface of green space required for their assimilation. Furthermore, four
proposals were developed for this typical building square reorganising urban space. One
of them is of specific interest as its estimated required spare space is by only 12% larger
than the existing fragmented one. This means that under a different apprehension of the
notion of property, the cities could be transformed from a barren producer of waste to a
creative processor of it.
Keywords: Property, urban environment, urban green space, building square,
sustainability, recycle.
2. A-121
1. INTRODUCTION
The 21st
century is foreseen to be the first century in the history of mankind where urban
population will outnumber the population of rural areas [1]. Nowadays modern cities act
as economical, social and cultural magnets. The environmental load that is induced by a
city emerges from two separate components. They consume valuable natural resources
and energy and in return, they produce large amounts of waste, of which only a small part
is assimilated, thus disturbing the ecological balance of our planet [2]. Moreover, the
extremely intensive artificial urban environment, which is highlighted by the rather
insufficient amount of open urban green spaces, indicates the degradation of the living
conditions in the city. In this study, it is detected that one of the main reasons for the high
output of waste and the lack of natural spaces that characterize urban areas is related to
the way that the notion of property is conceived by the citizens.
Energy, natural resources and waste production are all parts of the same chain of urban
function. In natural ecosystems what is thought to be an organism’s waste, can be
another’s useful resource and so nothing is completely wasted [3]. In this way, the infinite
chain of life carries on harmonically. However, almost no one will describe the city as an
ecosystem, and certainly not as a component of the human ecosystem [4]. In order to
achieve sustainability within the city, it is necessary to adopt the adequate policies of
reduce, recycle and reuse of waste.
2. THE PURPOSE OF THIS WORK
Cities are a reflection of modern civilization and therefore the effort to improve their
environmental performance and aesthetic appeal is an expression of culture.
An important fraction of the inflow of matter in the city enters the residences. The
introduction of recycling and water reuse systems in local scale could result both in the
reduction of the city’s waste disposal and in the use of the regained nutrients and water in
favour of the creation of areas of aesthetic pleasure within the building square. The
treated water could be used for irrigation purposes, while the treated part of the organic
waste as a soil amendment (compost). Thus, sustainability will be approached both on
local and general level. Locally the living conditions of the urban population will be
upgraded but also on city level an economy of resources will be achieved and at the
same time the introduction of the urban area in the assimilation of waste will relieve the
central waste treating systems (wastewater plants, landfills).
The present work deals with the effect of the property on the sustainability of the city and
suggests that a change in the citizens’ apprehension of their “proper land” can lead to the
development of recycling attitudes at the scale of the building square.
3. THE APPREHENSION OF PROPERTY
Economic development produces urbanization by concentrating production and
consumption in locations that afford the greatest economies of scale, agglomeration and
linkage, and where control over sources and supply can be exercised with maximum
effectiveness and at least cost [5]. The emergence of property is commonly related to the
economic development. As the value of land increases, there is an inescapable secular
trend towards the subdivision of property rights [6]. With land property, legal subdivision
necessarily means physical enclosure. In fact, the prevailing focus on money wealth and
the economic surpluses generated by ‘successful’ cities is positively misleading
3. A-122
respecting ecological health and long-term stability [4]. Kivell [7] noted that the two
themes (land as urban morphology and land as the power) come together to form the
basis of urban planning. Castells observes that urban space is treated much more as an
economic good than as an environmental heritage [8]. Higher density means more
intense competition for resources and land is a scarce resource in the city [9]. Market
pricing mechanisms are the most accurate and efficient way to determine resource
values [10,11]. Such an economic system is better suited to the pricing of finite, or non-
renewable resources, like land, rather than renewable ones [12]. Furthermore, property is
seen rather often as the area which has a right to pollute (Figure 1). And in the case of a
city, the entire population exercises this ‘’right’’ without further thinking. Each building
square occupies a certain space of the urban tissue and it is associated with its
degradation. Additionally, it exports its waste on other spaces of its outer environment.
This contradiction concerning the assumption of the power that the privatisation of space
offers, but not of the responsibility and the obligations deriving from its use, is remarkably
accentuated within the urban environment.
Figure 1. Property is seen as a generator of waste while its outer environment is used for
their disposal
4. THE REFORMATION OF THE BUILDING SQUARE
The emergence of boundaries on urban land can similarly be viewed as an expression of
land value appreciation and of the need to limit competitive consumption. However, in
what the building square is concerned, the spare space that exists among the buildings
as fragmented portions of non-built land are not valorised nor appreciated. The inverse
can be achieved by the unification of all the isolated small parts into a whole and
consequently the creation of a collective green landscaping of recreation and visual
assets [13], that also contributes to the amelioration of the local microclimate [14]. In
order to achieve visual contact to the inner part of the square, that is now transformed
into a park and also facilitate the circulation of people, small galleries could be designed.
Simultaneously, an important gain is that these differently conceived local green spaces
serve for the accomplishment of natural ecosystem’s functions. The non-built parts of the
building squares can provide a location of installations assuring a degree of auto
sufficiency of the sub-division of the city in the assimilation of waste (Figure 2). As it is
mentioned above, a main axe for this work is the exploitation of urban space and the aim
that planning decisions deal with widely differing situations, promote good quality
development and refuse schemes that waste a site’s potential [15].
PROPERTY
LAND
RIGHT TO
POLLUTION
OUTER
ENVIRONMENT
DISPOSAL OF
WASTE
4. A-123
(a)
(b)
Figure 2. Actual (a) and proposed (b) relationships between property and environment
5. CASE STUDY AND METHODS
A typical building square of a rather
downgraded district of central
Athens is examined (Figures 3,4).
The project area of Kato Patission
illustrates rather specifically the
lack of a proper urban design as
well as the scarcity of green
spaces since there is only 0.5m2
of
green space corresponding to each
resident. The square’s total free
space is estimated at 30% of its
total surface, while the number of
its residents is estimated through
statistics [16].
Today the total amount of
wastewater produced in this
building square is directed via the
central sewage system to the
biological waste treatment plant of Psitalia. However, greywater [17] can be used for
irrigation thanks to its features [18]. Therefore, it is suggested that a small rotating drum
system will be installed in each building for the treatment of greywater [19]. This will be
followed by an ultraviolet disinfection [20] for the purposes of tertiary treatment, since the
reclaimed water is used for the irrigation of urban spaces [21]. The daily domestic
wastewater production is divided to 90lt of greywater and 65lt of blackwater per person
[19]. The former is not recycled.
Figure 3. 3D animation of the present building
square
WASTE
ENVIRONMENT
WASTE
ENVIRONMENT
LESS
WASTE
WASTE
ASSIMILATION
CALCULATIONS
CONCLUSIONS
PARK
5. A-124
As far as the treatment of
domestic solid waste is
concerned, the total amount is
discharged to the landfill of Ano
Liossion.
According to our proposal, two
enclosed composting vessels
[22] could be used for the recycle
of the organic part of solid waste,
while the rest recyclable waste is
concentrated in separate recycle
cans.
The calculation of the domestic
solid waste produced was made
in accordance with the following
percentages (Table 1) given by
the Association of Communities
and Municipalities in the Attica
Region [23]. Since recycling
depends a lot on human initiative
and motivation, two recycling
scenarios are formed: according
to the first scenario, the
percentage of the recycled organic parts is rated at 70% and for the rest recyclable waste
at 100%, while according to the second and more realistic one, the proposed
percentages for the recycled organics is estimated at 50% and at 70% for the rest.
SOLID WASTE PRODUCTION
ORGANICS 46%
PAPER/CARTON 24%
PLASTICS 11%
ALOUMINIUM/METALS 3.70%
GLASS 3.40%
Table 1. Production percentages for domestic solid waste
Moreover, for the estimation (in square footage) of the irrigated landscape the following
formula was used [24]: LA = GW / (ET x PF x 0.62),
where: LA = landscaped area (square feet),
GW = estimated graywater produced (gallons per week),
ET = evapotranspiration* (inches per week),
PF = plant factor,
0.62 = conversion factor (from inches of ET to gallons per week)
Finally, the following parameters were taken into consideration for the formation of the
new building square types: the surface of the square, the surface and the form of the
urban space, the height of the buildings, the aesthetic appeal of the city, the view, the
improvement of ventilation and sunlight and the reduction of noise levels.
Figure 4. A plan of the building square as it is
today, where the pink lines show the outlines of the
building plots (grey colours)
6. A-125
6. RESULTS
The estimated daily volume
of domestic wastewater is
88,935.90 lt/day for the
present situation and
37,295.70 lt/day after the
treatment of greywater.
Thus, a reduction of 58%
of the final amount of
wastewater that reaches
the central sewage system
is achieved (Figure 5). In
respect to the treatment of
solid waste - If we assume
that the first scenario is
realized - the amount of
recycled material picks up
to 510kg/day, whereas with
the second one, a total amount of 360 kg/day is achieved. As a result, the final quantity of
domestic solid waste that ends up to the landfill is decreased by 74.3% (Figure 6) and
52.5% (Figure 7) for each scenario. In addition, the amount of produced compost is rated
at 66 kg/day and 47 kg/day respectively.
175,48
682,8
0 200 400 600 800
PRESENT SITUATION
SCENARIO 1 324,535
682,8
0 200 400 600 800
PRESENT SITUATION
SCENARIO 2
Figure 6. Comparison of the final amount
of domestic solid waste that end up to
the landfill (Scenario 1)
Figure 7. Comparison of the final amount
of domestic solid waste that end up to
the landfill (Scenario 2)
In order to estimate the minimum surface of urban green space that is equivalent to the
amount of reclaimed water from the greywater treatment, we consider the amount of
reclaimed water as limiting factor and some typical water needs of plants for the same
period [25]. This surface, which is 1.101.64 m2
, corresponds to the reclaimed greywater
of August, when the 60% of the residents of the building square are away on holiday.
Local species of fauna will be planted as well as grass, which will be supported by the
treated and reclaimed wastewater.
Ten proposals were developed for the regeneration of the examined building square,
which correspond to the residential needs of the number of residents of the existing
building square. Figure 8 illustrates three of those proposals, where it is evident the
variation that occurs by setting each time a different parameter as a priority. These three
types do not differ a lot in terms of building square’s area from the existing one and in
addition their forms favour air circulation and sunlight benefits. There is a fourth type of
square though (Figure 9), that shows particular interest because it corresponds to the
above-mentioned discussion concerning the appreciation of the wasted and fragmented
37.295,70
88.935,90
0,00 50.000,00 100.000,00
PRESENT SITUATION
PROPOSAL
Figure 5. Comparison of the final amounts of
wastewater that end up at the central sewage system in
lt/day.
7. A-126
part of the building square with a minimum intervention. The spare space of the existing
building square is smaller by only 12% from the estimated required free space of this
proposed form. The shaping, the area and the building types of this fourth square are
similar to those of the current one, which indicates that this proposal is realisable since it
requires slight changes.
Figure 8. 3D animations of three different new forms of building square
It is noted that the attempt to redesign the urban building square according to the main
disciplines of bioclimatic design [26] resulted in great demands of land and thus it fails to
directly respond to urban problems.
7. CONCLUSIONS
The confused perception of
importance and its consequent
pressures on the protection of short-
term economic interests over long-
term sustainability interests represents
a barrier to the adoption of
sustainability-oriented action [27]. The
notion of property should be modified
so as to include the privatization of the
responsibility for the assimilation of
the domestic waste at the scale of the
building square. This is feasible when
urban land hosts natural ecosystem
procedures. As it is analyzed in this
study, the spare spaces within the
studied building square can serve this
purpose since the required free space
is slightly bigger than the existing one.
On the other hand there is no ideal
solution or a cure-all proposal for the
ensemble of city’s weaknesses. An effort is made to maximize the environmental and
urban benefits with the minimum of change.
As far as the reduction of the environmental load upon the natural resources is
concerned, this reformation of the building square, which permits the completion of the
cycle of recycling within it, results in the comfort of the possession of green spaces in the
urban tissue without further withdrawal of natural resources.
The pursuit of sustainability cannot evade the reality of conflicting interests arising to a
great extent out of wide differences in the time scales involved [28]. However, the public
apprehension of the importance that the urban environment should also perform as an
ecosystem can result in the reduction of the direct urban environmental impacts.
Figure 9. Proposal for the unification of the
open space in the inner part of the building
square
8. A-127
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors would like to thank G.-F. Sargentis.
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