Sustainable Urban Development: Green and Smart Cities

Sustainable Cities

Today, more than half of humanity lives in cities, and this figure is expected to rise to 6 billion by 2050. This requires a rethink of urban planning and management, as rapid urbanization puts unprecedented pressure on the environment and public health. Sustainable cities must be environmentally, economically, socially, and politically healthy, both for the current population and for future generations. These cities are based on four pillars of sustainability:

• Environmental: concerns the ecological footprint, resource consumption, and pollution.
• Economic: concerns job opportunities and attracting investment.
• Social: focuses on quality of life, public health, and social integration.
• Institutional: includes democratic participation and transparency in decision-making processes.

Green Cities

Transport: An integrated system of public transport and other infrastructure supporting car-free mobility, like walking and cycling, are essential. Places to work and socialize have to be in close proximity to residential areas, have easy access to public transportation, provide electric car charging points, bike paths, and bike racks.

Green spaces: A network of green spaces must be fully integrated into the town plan. Parks, gardens, school grounds, and tree-lined streets provide recreation and socialization space.

Waste recycling: Waste products must be treated to recover energy instead of being sent to landfills. Large-scale programs recycle domestic and industrial water and use rainwater.

Renewable energy: Energy from any kind of renewable source, like solar, hydro, wind, biomass, and geothermal, is promoted.

Energy-efficient buildings: New constructions have very good thermal insulation, highly efficient windows, and optimized solar orientation. Old buildings are retrofitted.

Smart Cities

A smart city is a municipality that uses information and other technologies to improve operational efficiency, share information with the public, and improve government services and citizen well-being. Experts also predict the use of the Internet of Things (IoT) to reduce energy and resource consumption. Many large villages are already implementing integrated solutions, such as traffic management, online services, gas and water leak detection, and telemedicine. The ultimate goal is to address the challenges of complex urban areas and growing populations. However, the required investments are a stumbling block for many cities. There are also concerns about potential negative health and privacy impacts.

Case Study 1: Greenwich Millennium Village (GMV)

Greenwich Millennium Village (GMV) is a notable example of urban regeneration, located along the River Thames, approximately 9 km from central London, on a former industrial site. It comprises 2,500 homes, schools, shops, and 20 hectares of park with a lake, with the aim of reducing car dependency. The village is largely car-free, with only three main roads and limited parking planned for the houses. The central square is easily accessible on foot or by bike, and safe routes for cyclists and pedestrians have been created, monitored by CCTV (closed-circuit television). This has led to many families living car-free. Studies show that residents appreciate the sustainable design and sense of community of the GMV.