Essential Checklist For A Smart Sustainable City

1. Public Transportation
Cities with buses and trains reduce air
pollution and congestion caused by
traffic. Public transit encourages efficient
land usage, leaving more space for parks.
For example, Los Angeles will introduce
bus-only lanes as part of its Mobility
2035 plan to increase sustainability.
Renewable Energy
Solar panels, wind turbines and other
renewable energy sources can help
cities reduce their reliance on fossil
fuels and cut down on pollution.
Seattle and Aspen are among the 70
cities across the globe that receive at
least 70 percent of their energy from
renewable resources.
Recycling Programs
A comprehensive recycling program
keeps certain materials out of landfills.
Putting pickup schedules online
makes it easier for residents to
participate and divert waste to the
proper facilities.
Farmers Markets
These promote sustainable, organic
food while also providing a place for
residents to gather. A recent study
found that more than 20 percent of
farmers markets also help stimulate
new agribusiness in their communities.
Public Spaces
When cities have large public areas
for communal gatherings, it reduces
the need for expansive private
residences. The size of the average
American home increased 74 percent
between 1910 and 2010.
Green Buildings
Encouraging developers to build
sustainable structures reduces waste
and consumption of natural resources.
LEED-certified buildings have been
shown to consume 25 percent less
energy on average. They also produce
34 percent fewer emissions compared
to traditional city construction.
E-billing
By emailing residents their utility
bills, cities can save paper. It
is believed that the average
American household could save
6 pounds of paper each year by
switching to electronic billing.
Mixed-Use Developments
Combining residential and
commercial areas in the same
property is an efficient use
of space. These developments
use up to 45 percent less land and
reduce vehicle usage.
Bicycle Lanes
Providing safe lanes for cyclists on
city streets means fewer cars in
traffic. Bicycle riding in Copenhagen
— using the city’s 435+ miles of bike
lanes — has been found to prevent
the release of 90,000 tons of
carbon dioxide each year.
Parks
Public parks and gardens curb air
pollution and the heat retained by
asphalt surfaces. The “heat island”
effect is believed to account for as
much as 10 percent of a city’s demand
for electricity during the summer.
Essential Checklist
For A Sustainable
Smart City
Make your smart city a sustainable one by making
improvements in these 10 areas.
thecitybase.com