SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN CITIES
Eco-neighbourhoods: the future of sustainable cities
Environmentally conscious citizens, urban planners and architects are pinning their hopes on eco-neighbourhoods. Efficent and highly environmentally friendly, they are already emerging in major cities.
WHAT IS AN ECO-NEIGHBOURHOOD?
It is an urban project that aims to reduce the impact on the environment and change the education and living habits of the citizens of large cities to make them more responsible with their environment.
This example of small-scale sustainable urbanism is based on energy efficiency and self-sufficiency through the integration of organic farming, renewable energies and the sustainable use of natural resources. And all this while maintaining good communication with the rest of the city.
Among its main benefits are:
- Improved quality of life
- Regeneration of green areas, traffic areas and public spaces
- Promotion of environmental education and awareness
TOWARDS A NEW MODEL OF SUSTAINABLE URBANISM
The eco-neighbourhood is the model of sustainable urban development that best responds to the current needs of society and the environment. It is therefore the most effective solution to the problems of the traditional neighbourhood: non-inclusive, with excessive traffic and high pollution. According to the United Nations (UN), although cities occupy only 3% of the earth's surface, they consume 60% of resources, account for 70% of carbon emissions and, in addition, more than 50% of the population lives in them.
- Solar radiation is filtered through the glass.
- This heat allows plants to be grown out of season and homes to be heated.
- Native and similar species are grown.
- The layout is designed to make full use of water.
- Trees are planted to the East and West of the houses to obtain the right amount of shade.
- The water is accumulated on the roofs with retention systems. This water is used for bathrooms and gardens.
- The wooden window frames come from sustainably managed woods.
- Reduces pollution indices.
- Recycling articles extends their useful life.
- Use of biodegradable products prioritised.
- The tram is the main means of transport.
- Shared electric cars and bicycles are the two preferred alternatives.
- Solar radiation is filtered through the glass.
- This heat allows plants to be grown out of season and homes to be heated.
- Native and similar species are grown.
- The layout is designed to make full use of water.
- Trees are planted to the East and West of the houses to obtain the right amount of shade.
- The water is accumulated on the roofs with retention systems. This water is used for bathrooms and gardens.
- The wooden window frames come from sustainably managed woods.
- The tram is the main means of transport.
- Shared electric cars and bicycles are the two preferred alternatives.
- Reduces pollution indices.
- Recycling articles extends their useful life.
- Use of biodegradable products prioritised.
To redirect the situation, the UN has setSustainable Development Goal 11 to "make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable". The goal for 2030 is to reduce negative environmental impacts, while also supporting access to green spaces and aiming to increase access to safe, affordable, accesible and sustainable transport systems.
ECO-NEIGHBOURHOODS DRIVING SUSTAINABILITY
Hammarby Sjöstad (Stockholm, Sweden): an industrial neighbourhood abandoned due to pollution before the 1990s won its city the title of Green Capital of Europe in 2010. One of the strategies for its transformation was to create a closed urban metabolism loop with sustainable water, waste and energy systems. The tram, the main means of transport, coexists with a pedestrian and bicycle network, a car-sharing system and a ferry. The height of the buildings also allows for interior courtyards that facilitate the cultivation of plots of land with micro-greenhouses.
