Sustainable Cities and Communities
By Nikita Kheni
As development occurs around the world, we see several cities undergoing rapid urbanization. Urbanization has several negative consequences on the environment and the populations living in these cities and communities. According to the UNDP, two-thirds of humanity, which is around 6.5 billion people, will be urban by 2050. Growing sustainable cities means transforming urbanization to be able to fit the needs of communities in a sustainable manner as well.
Sustainable Development Goal 11 focuses on how cities and metropolitan areas can develop sustainably without creating more issues for communities and the planet. While cities and metropolitan areas drive economic growth, they also contribute to increased global carbon dioxide emissions that reach about 70%. They also use a lot of resources, and if nonrenewable resources are used to drive the economy, resources will become depleted and leave the planet empty of several necessities.
Urbanization drives population growth because it promised jobs and wealth — but it also drives poverty and environmental degradation. According to National Geographic, there are several threats of rapid urbanization:
Higher poverty levels since local governments are not adequately equipped to provide services for all people.
An increase in energy use, especially for transportation leads to an increase in air pollution.
Waste accumulates and creates hazards for communities.
Trees and natural greenery is taken out to construct buildings.
Animal populations are affected because they lose natural habitats and sources of food.
All of these issues must be addressed to create sustainable cities.
We are also seeing the impacts of COVID-19 on urbanized areas. Diseases spread more quickly in areas that are more densely populated because it is more difficult to following social distancing and self-isolation. In cities such as Los Angeles and New York, we have seen how fast COVID-19 spread and devastated several communities. Those living in overcrowded slums face not only the risks of catching the disease, but they also do not have access to healthcare because there are no health services to treat them. Further, more than one billion people live in slums.
Instead of focusing on only urbanization, we need to focus on how we can also be sustainable in the process. Urbanization leads to infrastructure for waste collection, sanitation systems, and water systems, and transportation access being inadequate to sustain entire populations. Urbanized areas have poorer air quality, limited access to transportation, and tighter population density so there is no room for open public spaces. When cities grow faster than their populations can handle, sustainability is negatively impacted.
In India, New Delhi is on track to becoming the world’s largest megacity by 2028 if its population continues growing. New Delhi faces a population increase of about 700,000 people annually. This population increase occurs due to the rapid urbanization in the city. More than twenty-seven million people already live in the crowded city. The effects of urbanization in New Delhi are harrowing. It ranks amongst the highest cities for worst air pollution, has high traffic rates, and shows the clear divide between classes as slums appear right next to luxury hotels and homes. The housing problem is only continuing to grow due to the government efforts being met with obstructions for land procurement, relocation, infrastructure and concerns about the environment. In order to become more sustainable, New Delhi will need to provide adequate infrastructure along with opportunities for employment must grow to fit rising populations. The city will have to adopt cleaner practices, so the air is clean as well.
According to the Global Goals, “The world’s population is constantly increasing. To accommodate everyone, we need to build modern, sustainable cities. For all of us to survive and prosper, we need new, intelligent urban planning that creates safe, affordable, and resilient cities with green and culturally inspiring living conditions.” So, what we do to solve a lot of these issues and create and transform more sustainable cities throughout the world? Prioritizing the quality of life for all populations and communities, increasing access to employment, housing, sanitation, health services, and quality education are some solutions to creating sustainable cities. Fighting poverty, promoting job growth and creation, involving communities when making decisions on urbanization, and maintaining open and green spaces are also necessary.
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