This is a deck of slides for an assignment for a MOOC on climate change. It makes the case for sustainable cities.

1. The Case for
SUSTAINABLE CITIES

2. World Population
About 7.2 billion
9 billion before 2050

3. Economic Development
Since industrial revolution
Increased demand on natural resources
to provide food, water for drinking and
agriculture, health care, etc.
Burning of fossil fuels - coal, oil, gas - to
generate energy.
Release of carbon dioxide into
atmosphere enhances greenhouse
effect.
Average global temperature has increased by
about 0.8 degrees Celsius since pre-industrial
times.
Expected increase of 3-5 degrees Celsius by
end century if no drastic reduction in
greenhouses gases.

4. Urbanisation
• More than 50% of world
population now living in cities
66% urbanisation rate by 2050

5. Characteristics of Sustainable Cities
Economically viable
• Productive infrastructure – networks for transport, power, water, waste,
and connectivity
• ‘Soft’ infrastructure – effective public institutions
Socially inclusive
• High social cohesiveness and mobility
Environmentally responsible
• Low environmental impact of activities
• Mitigation measures to reduce ‘ecological footprint’
• Adaptation to prepare for changing environmental conditions
Resilient to environmental, social or economic shocks
• Preparedness to respond
• Ability to recover

6. Infrastructure
• Transportation
• Cars cause congestion, air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions
• Public transport systems: buses and mass rapid transit
• Personal transport: biking and walking

7. Infrastructure
• Water Supply
• For drinking, industrial processes, agriculture
• Waste Management
• Landfills cause pollution of water sources, methane emissions
• Recycling programmes and waste-to-energy facilities

8. Climate change
• Increasing
temperatures and
sea level rise
• Increase in
frequency and/or
intensity of extreme
weather events –
heat waves,
droughts, storms,
and floods.

9. Building Resilience
Air pollution
Smog in Chinese cities and haze
in Singapore
Measures: switch to gas to generate power,
restriction on car usage

10. Building Resilience
Recent twin earthquakes in Nepal
Measures: better constructed buildings, zoning to avoid areas prone to landslides

11. Building Resilience
Typhoons and Floods
Coastal cities vulnerable to
rising sea level and storms
Measures: Jakarta plan to build
sea wall with help from the
Netherlands
Typhoon Haiyan

12. Planning for Sustainability
Process of problem solving
Assess future risks and constraints
• Vulnerability to hazards – typhoons, droughts, earthquakes, floods, landslides and
volcanoes
• Available resources – land, water, expertise, funds
Set goals
Evaluate options (technical and policy) and implement measures to
• support a productive and green economy
• enable social cohesiveness and mobility
• mitigate effects of external shocks and facilitate recovery from such shocks
Monitor progress towards goals