GEL TOPIC 2

GEL TOPIC 2 2.1 SUSTAINABLE URBAN NEIGHBOURHOODS Key Points: ● Sustainable development = meets present needs + ensures future generations can meet own needs ● Economic + social sustainability ← population density, small pop. size for interaction ● Environmental sustainability ← protection for nature, waste minimisation/recycling, energy/water-efficient design What is development? = economic, social & political process → improves standard of living ● Countries classified by level of development based on: ○ Economic indicator: GDP per capita ○ Social indicators: Life Expectancy & Adult Literacy Rate What is sustainable development? = development that: ● Meets needs of present pop. by achieving high standards of living for all ● Ensures ability of future generations to meet own needs ● 3 key aims: economy, environment, society ● Overfocus on one dimension → others overlooked ○ Eg: govt prioritises economic growth → env. neglected/destroyed → biodiversity loss, deterioration of quality of env. for present + future ● Approach varies by place & time; not always balanced — greater emphasis may be placed on one dimension over others depending on place UN Sustainable Development Goals — 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development = shared goal: achieve high standards of living + peace for current & future generations

Concepts: Standard of living = measure of consumption of goods/services by individual/group. Economic sustainability = ensure all humans enjoy prosperous, fulfilling lives + economic progress occurs in harmony w/ nature. Social sustainability = ensure societies inclusive & resilient, residents have a voice. (Urban) Neighbourhood = sub-division of urban area distinguished by characteristic/quality, residents share commonalities. Environmental sustainability = sustainably manage natural resources + urgent action on climate change to support needs of present + future generations How can urban neighbourhoods achieve economic and social sustainability? 1. Economic sustainability ● ↑ population density → support local businesses + keep transport/infrastructure costs low ● Local businesses sustain themselves — sufficient demand for goods & services ● Residents take up employment at shops → ↑ income → ↑ standard of living [demand goods & services → jobs open to residents → increase in income] ● Transport & infrastructure costs kept low — buildings close together → don't need to travel far → ↓ transportation costs ○ Eg: schools near integrated transport hub → students walk short distance → ↓ transport cost ● Transport infrastructure located closer together → ↓ cost to develop, connecting infrastructure not built over long distances → ↓ transportation costs for residents ○ Eg: bus interchange next to train station → no need for additional infrastructure (roads/bridges) → ↓ cost of development 2. Social sustainability ● Residents feel included + have sense of shared identity [→ community centre] ● Shared community spaces → promote regular social interactions ● Small population size in neighbourhood → facilitates regular interactions ○ Residents come together → discuss issues → find solutions [discussing about problems + solutions] ○ Builds resilience + positive relationships — open communication, mutual respect, understanding → ↓ misunderstandings/conflicts ● Majority of problems = day-to-day, mundane, resolved locally w/ adequate neighbourhood structure ○ Eg: Residents' Networks (RN) in SG — promote neighbourliness + community cohesiveness; each neighbourhood divided into designated zones, residents encouraged to join ○ Regular activities organised at zonal level cater to small pop. size in zone → encourages residents to voice opinions + participate in decision-making

How can neighbourhoods be sustained environmentally? 3 ways: 1. Ample protection for nature [Government] 2. Facilities that support waste minimisation & recycling 3. Energy & water-efficient design approaches for buildings/landscapes 1. Ample protection for nature ● Wildlife thrive → urban spaces + human-wildlife coexistence ● Concerted efforts → protect existing native species' habitats/ecosystems + re-establish species that once existed ○ Eg: NParks — multiple strategies for safeguarding SG's habitats/ecosystems (species conservation & recovery programmes) ● Biodiversity maximised — wide variety of habitats (street trees, pocket parks, roof gardens) instead of uniform grass areas ● Different varieties/species of plants/trees → adequate shelter & food for wider variety of wildlife → maximises biodiversity ○ Eg: 44 Nature Ways in SG — connect areas of high biodiversity across SG 2. Facilities that support waste minimisation & recycling ● Conveniently located recycling facilities (blue recycling bins) → encourage residents to recycle ● High enough population density → adequate waste collected/recycled in economically viable manner ● Waste recycling encouraged via neighbourhood-scale recycling activities (residents/town council) ○ Eg: town council puts up posters/banners to educate residents on proper recycling 3. Energy & water-efficient design approaches ● Buildings/landscaping designed energy- & water-efficient → minimise resource use ● Smart technology & eco-friendly features installed ○ Eg: HDB Green Towns Programme — cool paint lowers temps by up to 2°C, ↓ energy consumption ○ Eg: rainwater harvested for block washing (void decks/corridors) → ↓ water consumption

2.2 ECOSYSTEM SERVICES IN URBAN NEIGHBOURHOODS Key Points: ● Urban neighbourhoods = ecosystems ● Ecosystems = living communities + non-living environment interacting ● Neighbourhoods can have aquatic & terrestrial ecosystems ● Ecosystem services = provisioning / regulating / cultural / supporting Concepts: Ecosystems = dynamic complex of plant, animal, microorganism communities + non-living env. interacting as functional unit. Living communities = communities of living (biotic) things (humans, animals, plants, insects, bacteria). Non-living environment = non-living (abiotic) components (rocks, soil, water, sunlight, built env.). Aquatic = related to water bodies (rivers, lakes) Why are urban neighbourhoods regarded as ecosystems? ● Ecosystem = geographic area where living communities + non-living env. interact → "bubble of life" ● Ecosystems vary in size ● Every aspect depends on another, directly/indirectly ● People = integral parts of ecosystems; dynamic interactions exist between people & other parts ● Activities by people → directly/indirectly change ecosystems (+ and -) ○ Eg: man-made concrete canal @ Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park transformed into naturalised river → more organisms thrive ( aquatic ) → wildlife back → ↑ biodiversity What are ecosystem services? = benefits brought about by nature to