Group2_B | SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities: Towards Sustainable Development
Authored by: Anshika Agarawal (BJ20069), Apoorva (BJ20070),
Kavya Pant (BJ20084), Rahul Raja (BJ20100), Rituraj (BJ20103), Shubham Dhoble
(BJ20110)
Introduction
The earth’s surface is about 29.2% of land[i], and 3%[ii] of it is urban
areas. What is astonishing to know is that this 3% accounts for up to 80% of
energy consumption and at least 70%iii of carbon emission. Although
half of us already live-in cities – it is predicted that by 2020, 66% of the
world population[iii] will
be living in urban areas. The burgeoning population and increased migration
drive this. Hence the size of our urban centres is only going to increase in
the coming years. This is the reason sustainable urban spaces gain paramount
importance.
This growth of urban spaces has not necessarily increased the quality of life and, in some cases, has even made cities unsustainable due to the rapid growth of slums, landfills, etc., especially in developing countries. The push to make cities sustainable would mean the people would have access to safe and affordable housing, career opportunities, green and public spaces, and access to clean water and air.
Via this SDG, the aim is to improve the
infrastructure in urban spaces by providing shielded, affordable, and
sustainable transport systems for all, improving safety on roads and expanding
public transport with attention given to women, children, and the elderly, and
the disabled by 2030iii.
Air and water quality is to be managed to reduce the adverse per capita
environmental impact of cities. Special robust support will be given to the
least developed countries, including financial and technical assistance, in
building sustainable and resilient buildings.
In the Indian context, the three significant indicators towards achieving the goal include reducing the average annual PM 2.5 concentrate in air, availability of clean drinking water (piped), and availability of satisfactory public transport[v].
|
Indicator |
Description |
Long
Term Objective |
Current
Score |
Comments |
|
Annual
mean concentration of PM2.5 in air |
A
measure of air pollution, the presence of PM2.5 in the air can cause respiratory
diseases and severe health damage. |
The long-term objective for this indicator is to reduce the PM2.5 concentration
to 6.3 μg/m³. |
The
average concentration of PM2.5 in 2017 was 90.87 μg/m³. This was higher than
88.17 μg/m³ in 2012. |
It
remains to be a major challenge as the score is decreasing. The govt has
taken up steps like National Clean Air Programme (NACP) to reduce the PM10
and PM2.5 concentrate by 20 to 30% by 2024 (taking 2017 as the base).[vi] |
|
Access to piped drinking water which
does not get contaminated during transmission to the premises.
|
The
main measure is to ensure construction of a water system which does not allow
contamination of water, especially faecal contamination. |
The
long-term objective for this indicator is to ensure that 100% urban
population has a piped contamination-free drinking water source. |
In
2017, 67.87% of the urban population had access to drinking water, which was
lower 73.70% in 2000 (due to increasing unplanned settlement in cities). |
It
remains to be a major challenge as the score is decreasing. The govt is aimed
at reaching 14 Cr households by 2024 under their ‘Jal Shakti’ ministry.[vii] |
|
Satisfaction
of the urban population with the public transport |
Total
%age population of residents in any area who are satisfied with the available
public transport system. |
The
long-term objective for this indicator to reach satisfaction of 82.6%. |
The
percentage satisfaction was 71.94% in 2018 |
Though
the challenge remains, the progress is satisfactory and on target to be met
by 2030. The govt is promoting metros, buses and uses of cycles to promote
sustainable transport.[viii] |
How
can cities be made sustainable?
Given
the rapid urbanisation, it is of paramount importance to construct sustainable
cities to ensure minimal impact on the environment. The developing cities must
be planned to consider future growth, the ecological footprint, and maximize
efficiency[ix].
In this regard, the following parameters can be considered:
Transportation
- Promoting Cycling and Walking: - Constructing proper cycling paths and footpaths and ensuring these pathways do not get used by two-wheelers can help in the promotion of these activities. Increasing the number of cycle rental services[x], as was done in the Connaught Place Area in Delhi, and recognizing cyclist needs, especially when it comes to traffic management, can push people to adopt this beneficial habit. It helps to reduce traffic congestion, improves air quality, and reduces health costs.
- Electric
Vehicle Charging Points:
- With the increasing concerns about Global Warming and GHG emissions by Petrol
& Diesel vehicles, there is a rise in the demand for electric vehicles[xi].
As the country develops, it needs to ensure adequate infrastructure to support
such disruptive technology. This would also promote more people investing in
Electrical Vehicles, leading to lesser air pollution.
Buildings
and Infrastructure
- Building Management Systems: Wireless BMS can allow remote monitoring and controlling of multiple buildings. This minimizes energy used and increases the speed and efficiency of actions taken.
- Climate Conscious: Buildings can be constructed utilizing techniques that provide natural temperature control. For example, we can use hollow bricks to insulate the interiors[xii] or using white paint to reflect light. Rainwater harvesting can also be made compulsory for offices and other commercial buildings to promote groundwater level recharge[xiii].
Energy
- Solar Energy: Solar energy can be used to power traffic and streetlights. Commercial spaces and offices with rooftops can get solar panels installed. It can also be used for water heating purposes. Government is also supporting the initiative of the installation of solar panels[xiv].
- Biomass Energy: Biomass energy can be used in the form of natural gas. The solid waste can also be used to produce fertilizers.
Green
Cover and Food
- Urban Gardening and Awareness: Since space is limited in urban households, Vertical and Rooftop Gardens can be a great method to not one kitchen garden and grow your own herbs and food, but also, add to the green cover of the area.
- Green Spaces: Green spaces like parks should have plenty of indigenous plants and trees to ensure that they thrive and maintain a healthy green cover.
Waste
Management
- Recycling: Waste management starts at home. The first step is the segregation of waste at home, and the residents should be informed about the categories and the safe disposal of all types of wastes. For example, the milk cartons and food boxes with leftover food stuck to them do not form a part of the recycling chain. Japan sets a splendid standard with its rigorous waste management system resulting in minimal waste going to the landfills [xv]. Compost pits do not require a lot of space and can be easily made at home. For the in-organic waste wide-area waste collection with efficient transfer stations to have a sustainable end step in the life cycle analysis.
-
Waste
Treatment Facilities:
Waste treatment includes incineration, recycling, landfill, and backfill. Some
countries have devised ways to incinerate the waste at elevated temperatures,
followed by eliminating mercury and monoxide from the vapours produced. Recycling
needs a rigorous amount of energy and effort to make it fit for consumption
again[xvi].
Some countries have explored the backfill option where the land is reclaimed
back by processing the waste and using it to create more living space on the sea.
Advantages & Roadblocks
The steps taken towards achieving sustainability could be
cost incurring initially, but it would reap benefits overall. The benefit of
sustainable cities is that different process co-exists together. The waste
outcome of one activity could be a raw material or be of benefit to another
city. In this way, a city can be self-sufficient even if the dependencies in
other cities will not affect the process. These steps would help to maintain
the ecological balance between nature and industrialisation. These new
recycling activities can even generate job opportunities for residents. The
sustainable cities would be future-ready to handle the demand of the growing
population without creating a negative impact on the environment.
Though the need for sustainable cities is critical, the following
are the major barriers to sustainable urbanization:
No universally accepted criteria for sustainability
Universal implementation of sustainable activities faces a
challenge due to the variations in the meaning of sustainability and its goals
of different countries. Although the World Bank started the Global City Indicators
program in 2007 to establish a unanimous criterion, we cannot identify the best
practices globally.
Inadequate indicators for sustainability
The indicators recognized for sustainable urbanization, to
measure the sustainability and to provide insight for its implementation[xvii],
are ineffective with a trade-off between their cost and accuracy. This makes
the creation of a framework to track sustainable development difficult.
Political boundary wise measurement of sustainability
Negative impacts of unsustainability are not limited to the
political boundaries of the hosting community, which is otherwise a prevalent
practice. Although planetary boundaries could be considered a better approach
in assessing the impact, they do not focus sufficiently on the social and
economic impact.[xviii]
Examples of Sustainable cities and communities
Copenhagen aims to be the world’s first carbon-neutral capital[xix]
city by 2025[xx].
One of the aims to achieve this goal is through the transportation sector. In
the last ten years, Copenhagen has invested over 300 million dollars into the bike
infrastructure and the Danish government has also placed incredibly high taxes
on owning motorised vehicles[xxi].
The buildings are designed to allow passive solar heating in all the apartments
while the green roof insulates the building stopping heat from escaping. The
schools are designed with solar panels, and this, along with the energy purpose,
also serves the education of children on renewable energy[xxii].
Singapore has been classified as the greenest city in Asia. This city
sets a remarkable example with a substantial number of tourists (nearly 19
million) each year. The major tourist attractions run on the eco driven
concept. For example, the cloud forest in the gardens by the bay takes the
tourists on a journey through nature. The country bears socially
sustainable housing and with 80% of the people living in public housing avoid
homelessness and other kinds of housing instability.
Berlin has
major focus on sustainable agriculture. Local food production is being
supported across the city through urban farming and has been classified as one
of the most vegan-friendly cities in the world. The city is also trying to
increase its renewable energy usage. The government buildings are now being
powered by solar panels and ground source heat pumps.
Auroville in India has been a remarkable example of an eco-city. The
city is self-sustainable and hosts people from 54 nationalities[xxiii].
The city transfers minimal externalities to the rest of the world[xxiv].
People produce their own food, water, and energy. The architecture sets an
example for sustainable living in a way that it eliminates all the carbon
waste. The city thrives on the purpose of realizing human unity.
Businesses making the difference
PwC has worked rigorously
towards Smart city mission and AMRUT mission in India.[xxv] As per their estimation,
another US$500 billion is required to
provide basic service levels in the country. The company has undertaken Project
Management Unit (PMU) to aid Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission
(JnNURM) for the Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD) in 65 cites [funded by
the Asian Development Bank].
Amazon: Committed to giving back to the
communities it serves, Amazon has donated more than $1.5 million[xxvi]
to multiple charitable organisations in California through monetary donations. Amazon
is rigorously working on a sustainable delivery system, which reduces carbon
emissions due to delivery vehicles. To work towards renewable energy, one of
its fulfilment centre in Tilbury has installed the
largest solar rooftop installation with a total no. of 11,500 module solar panels[xxvii]
Conclusion
Most of the SDGs are
inter-related or connected with SDG 11, as it is linked with human living,
which is the driver for multiple environmental issues. SDG-11, whose goal is to make cities and human settlements
inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable [xxviii] is linked to
different SDGs which equipage its benefits to good health and wellbeing (SDG
3), affordable and clean energy (SDG 7), decent
work and economic growth (SDG 8), industry, innovation, and infrastructure (SDG
9), responsible consumption and production (SDG 12) and climate action (SDG
13). [xxix]
Hence, an investment in terms of time, money
and effort towards SDG 11 will have a multiplier effect in a country’s journey
towards SDGs. While the idea of sustainable cities and communities appears to
be critical for us, the rapid urbanisation and the initial investments required
has made it a difficult challenge to achieve. A combined effort from the government,
businesses and the people is essential for the betterment of living conditions
on the planet we call home.
[i] https://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/earth.htm
[ii] https://www.livescience.com/6893-cities-cover-earth-realized.html#:~:text=Three%20percent%20of%20the%20world's,estimates%2C%20scientists%20said%20this%20week.
[iii] https://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/sustainable-development-goals/goal-11-sustainable-cities-and-communities.html
[v] https://dashboards.sdgindex.org/profiles/IND
[vi]
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1593056#:~:text=The%20Central%20Government%20has%20launched,reduction%20in%20PM10%20and
[vii] https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/government-sets-target-of-providing-clean-drinking-water-to-all-by-2024/articleshow/69741109.cms?from=mdr
[viii]
http://mohua.gov.in/cms/Schemes-and-other-initiatives.php
[ix] https://www.smartcitiesdive.com/ex/sustainablecitiescollective/21-features-future-sustainable-city/285946/
[x] https://entrackr.com/2019/08/yulu-bike-begins-pilot-in-delhi-by-going-live-in-connaught-place/
[xi] https://www.iea.org/reports/global-ev-outlook-2020#:~:text=Sales%20of%20electric%20cars%20topped,year%2Don%2Dyear%20increase.
[xii] https://realtynxt.com/2019/08/03/the-benefits-of-using-hollow-bricks-to-build-homes/#:~:text=Hollow%20bricks%20are%20bricks%20that,safer%20than%20the%20ordinary%20bricks.
[xiii]
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/coimbatore/rainwater-harvesting-structures-replenish-groundwater-table/articleshow/80192140.cms
[xiv] https://www.livemint.com/industry/energy/gujarat-announces-new-solar-policy-11609235603705.html
[xvi] https://www.americangeosciences.org/critical-issues/faq/how-does-recycling-save-energy#:~:text=Extracting%20and%20processing%20raw%20resources,turn%20them%20into%20usable%20materials.
[xvii] Guzm’n et al 2017
[xviii] https://www.researchgate.net/publication/336510065_Investigating_Barriers_to_Sustainable_Urbanization
[xx] https://eeco.world/
[xxii] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLKOrYjKILY&t=0s
[xxiv] https://www.smartcitiesdive.com/ex/sustainablecitiescollective/rediscovering-eco-cities-possible-era-globalization/209541/#:~:text=Auroville%20is%20categorised%20as%20eco,had%20several%20such%20historical%20examples.
[xxvi]
https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/job-creation-and-investment/the-amazon-effect-what-a-fulfillment-center-means-to-its-community
[xxvii]
https://blog.aboutamazon.eu/sustainability/amazon-unveils-its-largest-fulfillment-center-solar-panel-installation-in-europe#:~:text=Solar%20panel%20projects%20help%20Amazon,part%20of%20The%20Climate%20Pledge.&text=Amazon's%20fulfillment%20center%20in%20Tilbury,ft.
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