Creating sustainability in our cities

In the recent past, there have been several reports in the media and also from institutions associated with sustainable living conditions in cities about the deteriorating conditions in densely populated cities in Bangladesh -- like Dhaka, Chittagong, Sylhet and many others. The impact of such prevailing conditions was evident recently during the excessive rainfall that was witnessed in various parts of our country. This situation led many to try and understand why we are not being able to create sustainable cities.

A sustainable city, eco-city, or green city is a city designed with consideration for social, economic and environmental impact and a buoyant habitat for existing populations, without compromising the amenities for future generations.

In this context one needs to refer to the UN Sustainable Development Goal 11 which defines sustainable cities as those that are dedicated to achieving green, economic and social sustainability. They need to be dedicated to do so by enabling opportunities for all through a design focused on inclusivity as well as maintaining a sustainable economic growth. The focus will also have to include minimising required inputs of energy, water and food, and drastically reducing pollution due to waste and heat.

The UN Environment Programme has also observed that most cities today in Bangladesh are struggling with dilapidation of environment, traffic congestion and inadequate urban infrastructure. This is in addition to a lack of basic services, such as water supply, sanitation, and waste management.

Analysts in this context have pointed out that a sustainable city should promote economic growth and meet the basic needs of its inhabitants.

It needs to be added at this point that the European Investment Bank in Europe has spent nearly Euro 150 billion in creating sustainable conditions in European cities through long term strategies including renewable transportation, energy efficient housing and sustainable support for educational institutions in populated urban areas.

Cities occupy just 3 per cent of the Earth's land but account for 60 to 80 per cent of energy consumption and at least 70 per cent of carbon emissions. Consequently, creating safe, resilient, and sustainable cities needs to be one of the top priorities within the paradigm of Sustainable Development Goals.

In this context the Adelaide City Council has observed that we need to create socially sustainable cities that will be equitable, diverse, connected, democratic, and provide a good quality of life. Priorities of a sustainable city include the ability to feed itself with a sustainable reliance on the surrounding natural environment and the ability to power itself with renewable sources of energy.

This approach will help create a comparatively small ecological footprint and a lower quantity of pollution. This will, however, need through efficient land use, composting organic matter and possible recycling of used materials and the effort to convert waste into energy. Such a determination by those living in cities and the city authorities will decrease the impact of a densely populated city on climate change.

We need to understand how a city is considered to be sustainable in Australia. There is consensus there that the city, to be considered as sustainable, must aim to: (a) ensure equitable access to and efficient use of energy, including renewable energy ; (b) establish an integrated sustainable water and stormwater management system addressing capture; consumption, treatment and reuse opportunities; (c) manage and minimise domestic waste carefully; (d) develop sustainable transport networks, nodal complementarity and logistics; and (e) incorporate eco-efficiency principles into new buildings and housing. Such a scenario can then serve as a pathway for becoming vibrant urban regions that are environmentally responsible and socially inclusive at the same time.

Cities, once thought to be modern utopias that foster innovation, inclusivity, and commerce are in many cases actually ending up being hubs for environmental degradation.

Although the concept of urban living is inextricable from humanity, there are proposed ways to make them less environmentally taxing. One such solution is the idea of a sustainable city, otherwise known as a metropolis that effectively consumes fossil fuels and disposes of emissions as well as the economic wellbeing of its citizens. Cities can also be considered sustainable so long as they curb the consequences of consumption through means such as recycling or using healthier energy sources. Although this sounds like a simple path forward in Earth's journey of decarbonising, we must take a plethora of issues into consideration, such as transportation, housing, manufacturing, trade, and comfort.

An example of a sustainable city is Bristol, England. The BBC article, "Lower Carbon Emissions Recorded in City in 2022" states that greenhouse gas emissions dropped by 7.5 per cent between 2021 and 2022, in part due to higher bills prompting people to use less energy. Steps like this can also be seen in a multitude of other urban settings as citizens are encouraged to prioritise financial stability over excessive consumption. Additionally, commerce related emissions are reported to have dropped the most. Furthermore, Bristol has introduced "Clean Air Zones", which are designated areas where high emissions result in fines for vehicles. Much of the vehicles in these zones, which are hybrids and electric powered, obey these restrictions.

Zurich, Switzerland is another sustainable city that uses different methods to ensure lower carbon emissions. According to the article "Top Five Most Sustainable Cities in the World", Zurich is known as a "biker's haven". The city offers universal access to bikes, free of charge. In addition, Zurich has constructed a great number of cycling roads as well as car-free roads. This has helped exceedingly in lowering transportation related emissions as cars are less often used. Furthermore, the same article states that Zurich produces 80 per cent of its electricity with renewable sources and recycles over 40 per cent of its waste. Zurich is truly a sustainable city that encourages its citizens to partake in less energy consuming behaviour. The responsible behaviour of its citizens also helps to enhance the effort. 

Efforts towards sustainability can also be seen prominently in Asian countries as well. One example is Singapore, which has built a reputation over the years for its use of "green spaces". Green spaces are designated areas that are dedicated to preserving nature for recreational use in parks, fields, and other urban environments. Some other Asian nations such as South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, China, and Vietnam have also turned their attention towards green space preservation.

The progress of these nations greatly contrasts with that of the United States. It is losing much of its green spaces due to rampant industrialisation. It has recently been pointed out that since 2002, America's course of development has contributed to the loss of over 68,000 square miles of forests. Ecosystems are being disrupted and cities often tend to choose using land for housing rather than green spaces. On the other hand, although Singapore and South Korea have powerful booming economies as well, they seem to be able to balance it successfully with sustainability.

The question of sustainability is crucial for all corners of the world.

Muhammad Zamir, a former Ambassador, is an analyst specialised in foreign affairs, right to information and good governance.

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