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Integrating the concept of urban metabolism into planning of sustainable cities: Analysis of the Eco² Cities Initiative
Posted on: 9 October 2014
By: mackene
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New studies on sustainable urban planning call for a more integrated approach, in which cities are understood as complex and emergent systems of socio-economic and biophysical entities. In this context, the concept of urban metabolism has expanded from its biological understanding to analyse the interrelations between the natural, human and built environment in cities, and how they interact with their hinterlands at various scales. Urban metabolism refers to the metabolic processes by which cities transform materials and energy in order to sustain their functions. As such the notion helps to understand changing urban patterns and the socio-environmental construction of urban landscapes. The notion of urban metabolism has been employed in various disciplines and has recently started to influence urban planning and policy. This paper aims to examine how the UM concept can be integrated into sustainable urban planning and what are the current implications for its application in developing countries. Two case studies – Stockholm and Curitiba, are also critically examined to gain a deeper understanding of how the urban metabolism concept can be integrated into planning of cities in different locales and contexts.
What makes a sustainable city?
Posted on: 8 October 2014
By: mackene
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A presentation by David Thorpe in Cardiff at the Green City event on Saturday 27 September 2014. He covers 25 aspects of sustainable cities. David is Special Consultant of the Sustainable Cities Collective website. He is author of Energy Management in Buildings, Energy Management in Industry, Sustainable Transport Fuels, Solar Technology, Sustainable Home Refurbishment, Solar Photovoltaics Business Briefing, and much more. His new book, The One Planet Life, is due out in November 2014.
Sustainable Cities blog
Posted on: 1 October 2014
By: mackene
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A blog from the World Bank dealing with sustainable cities. Other topics covered include: Africa; Latin America; Development in a changing climate; Transport for development; Water.
People-oriented cities: Designing walkable, bikeable neighborhoods
Posted on: 27 June 2014
By: mackene
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This article presents three design principles to help city planners, developers, and citizens with an interest in increasing biking and walking in their communities. These design strategies are especially relevant for new developments and redevelopments, where there’s a golden opportunity to do things right the first time.
Copenhagen: Green economy leader report
Posted on: 27 May 2014
By: mackene
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This new report, produced by LSE Cities at the London School of Economics and Political Science in partnership with the City of Copenhagen, shows that the city continues to build on its pioneering success. Copenhagen has set itself the ambitious target to be carbon neutral by 2025, and the report looks at the challenges and opportunities involved in delivering this transformative agenda. Featuring a wealth of new research findings, the report shows how Copenhagen’s success is underpinned by a strong combination of the city’s green growth drivers. A number of these drivers rank among the best in Europe and the world, including the city’s compact urban form, strong innovation, high skills and employment, low carbon emissions, and improved environmental quality. The report also examines the challenges that Copenhagen will face in maintaining its position as a green economy leader internationally.
Garden city principles: from theory to practice. London, 15 May 2014
Posted on: 22 May 2014
By: mackene
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Filed under: Events presentations
This conference considered how we can overcome the practical, economic and political barriers to delivering new large-scale communities built to Garden City standards. It explored issues such as whether the existing New Towns legislation needs updating; how land value increases can be used to fund up-front infrastructure investment; how we can ensure that high quality new developments remain attractive and successful places for generations to come. Presentations are available online.
Toward a new settlement: A deep place approach to equitable and sustainable places
Posted on: 21 May 2014
By: mackene
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This study took place during 2013/14 to examine two pressing social and economic policy problems. The first is how to effectively tackle the high levels of poverty experienced in the post-industrial communities of Wales. The second is how to move forward as a society towards what has become termed a sustainable model of economy, which recognises the low carbon imperative and the potential crisis of energy supply and cost.
Locally-led garden cities: Prospectus
Posted on: 14 April 2014
By: mackene
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The Government has launched a new garden cities “prospectus”, which calls for local areas to submit their vision for garden cities that will provide affordable homes, good schools and jobs for the next generation, while at the same time preserving the countryside.’
Built Infrastructure for Older People’s Care in Conditions of Climate Change (BIOPICCC) Toolkit
Posted on: 8 April 2014
By: mackene
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The BIOPICCC Toolkit provides a series of resources to assist local authorities, partner organisations, and neighbourhood and community groups with local level resilience planning. Specifically, the resources are designed to support users to develop plans to make health and social care services for older people (aged 65 years and older) more resilient to the effects of extreme weather.
Building Futures Sustainable Design Toolkit
Posted on: 3 April 2014
By: mackene
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The Sustainable Design Toolkit aids decision making on sustainable design at the initial concept, pre-planning and planning application stages for development in Hertfordshire. By using open questions and best practice guidance, the Toolkit helps development stakeholders consider and implement the principles and practice of sustainable design in a highly visual, intuitive and engaging way.
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