How can we sustainably manage cities
(chapter 7)
What are cities?
A city is a defined urban area within a country, identified by guidelines that vary across different
countries.
Factors that define a city:
❖ Large population size compared to other locations in the country
❖ High population density compared to other locations in the country (population density is
the measurement of the number of pople living in a unit area of land
❖ A built up area, meaning the land surface is mostly covered by buildings.
➢ Includes extensive infrastructure, a system of buildings and equipment meant to
provide basic services
■ Water
■ Electricity
■ Sanitation
■ Telecommunications
■ Transport
➢ Characterised by dense contruction with tall, closely built buildings
❖ Range of functions: Administrative, Commercial or educational activities
➢ Manufacturing industries produce and sell a variety of products
➢ Modern infrastructure benefits businesses
■ Telecommunication systems for efficient communication
■ Well-connected transport systems for moving goods
City and Rural area Relationships
Compared to cities (urban areas), rural areas have a lower population size and density, fewer
functions, and are less built up. Despite the differences, cities and rural areas are connected by
movement of people, goods, and services.
Rural-urban migration
Some people in cities (migrants) may have come from another location, often moving from rural
to urban areas, in a process called rural-urban migration. Migratns move for many reasons,
driven by push factors (negative reasons to leave) and pull factors (positive reasons attracting
migrants).
Pull factors (attract to cities) Push factors (drive away from rural)
High pay War or political instability
Safe and political stability Lack of essential facilities (eg education)
More opportunities Low income
Better healthcare Natural disasters (eg droughts, tsunamis)
Lack of job opportunities
Interdependance of goods and services
❖ Cities rely on rural areas for food due to limited space for agriculture
➢ Rural farmers rear animal and grow crops to sell in city markets.
❖ Rural inhabitants benefit from city amenities
➢ Expert medical help and advanced treatment
➢ Avaialbility of goods from malls in cities
How cities affect inhabitants and the environment
Opportunities in cities
● Education and employment are linked, enabling people to gain skills for employment and
improve their well being
● Cities are centres of learning
● Businesses thrive due to developed infrastructure, availability of services, and a large
pool of skilled employees
● Technological innovations are common, using scientific knowledge to create new
products or services
Innovations in cities
1. Shading: Sheltered walkways provide shakde and shield from rain.
2. Transport: Public transport, cycling and walking reduce heat production
3. Vegetation: Greenery on roofs and building facades prevents sunlight from heating
buildings.
4. Building facades: Light-coloured surfaces on buildings help reflect sunlight to reduce
heat absorption.
5. Water bodies and features: Ponds and pools prevent overheating
Challenges in cities
❖ Increased environmental: Major polluters of air and water
➢ High consumption of fossil fuels
➢ Contaminatns harm human health
❖ Water pollution: Waste water not disposed of properly.
➢ Contaminated water leads to water-borne illnesses
❖ Air pollution: vehicle exhaust and burning fossil fuels
➢ Exposure can lead to respiratory infections, lung cancer, heart diseases and
death.
❖ Competition for natural resources: High population creates competition for land and
water.
❖ Land resources: expansion into rural areas replaces forests and farmlands, leading to
relocation of residents
❖ Water resources: Ensuring a continual supply of clean water is compromised by
competition for land, limiting reservoir construction and conversion of vegetation to
concrete surfaces.
Managing cities sustainably
Environmental management
Cities have large environmental footprints, producing large amounts of waste through transport
and industry. Pollution reduces the quality of the physical environment. Management strategies
are necessary to regulate the use of natural resources and minimise the negative environmental
impact.
● Reducing water pollution through water treatment ponds.
○ Setting up drains around farm plots and water treatment ponds
○ Growing cattails and fragrant pandan to purify water
● Reducing air pollution through laws
○ Setting limits on number of vehicles registered
○ Setting limits on air pollutants
Management of hazards
Hazards have a negative impact on people
● Human induced hazards: Arise from human actions or inaction.
○ Fires
○ Oil spills
○ Industrial accidents
● Natural hazards: Arise from the physical environment
○ Earthquakes
○ Volcanic eruptions
○ Tsunamis
Management strategies
1. Use better quality building materials to withstand hazards
a. Example: Mori Tower in Japan uses oil-filled shock absorbers to prevent collapse
during earthquakes
2. Land use planning: Disallows construction in unsafe areas.
Improvement of quality of life
QOL refers to a persons well being, affected by physical and mental health
❖ Providing safe and affordable housing to shelter people from weather elements.
➢ Tackles inadequate and low-quality housing due to high migration and
overpopulation
➢ Insufficient housing may lead to squatter settlements in unsafe locations
❖ Providing a variety of transportation modes to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution
❖ Considering the needs of different groups to ensure inclusivity.