Ecopolis now

The consequences of urban migration on the growth of megacities and how these may be made more sustainable are explored. It is pointed out that London requires 125 times its own land area to provide the resources it consumes and if all new cities were allowed to grow as in the West, the environmental consequences would be catastrophic. Large cities should create economies of scale for energy generation, recycling and public transport and could be developed to provide sustainable living. The approach relies on recycling whatever possible and cutting car use to a minimum. The use of public transport would be increased and work and living areas would be integrated into a single neighbourhood. City showcase eco-projects in Melbourne, Australia, Berlin, Germany, San Diego, California, Vienna, Austria and Reykjavik Iceland are described. To improve the social and environmental condition of cities, cutting car use is considered a top priority. Zero emission cars are not seen as a solution as they still require massive networks of streets, motorways and parking space. Increasing city density causes heating and in warmer climates leads to energy use for air conditioning which may consume more energy than any other single activity. The planned Dongtan suburb of Shanghai is described in detail. It will form a city of 86 square kilometres of low rise development surrounded by forests, organic farms, lakes and golf courses. It is planned to be zeo-pollution, car-free, renewable-energy powered and with sewage biogas production. The streets will be laid out to make car use difficult. The ecological footprint of each citizen will be 2.2ha per person, lower than that of a normal city, but higher than that of the rural Chinese population migrating to the cities.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/02624079
• Authors:
  • PEARCE, F
• Publication Date: 2006-6-17

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 36-45
• Serial:
  • NEW SCIENTIST
  • Volume: 190
  • Issue Number: 2556
  • Publisher: REED BUSINESS INFORMATION LTD
  • ISSN: 0262-4079

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automobiles; City planning; Energy; Land use; Policy; Sustainable development; Traffic restraint; Urban areas
• Uncontrolled Terms: Use
• Geographic Terms: China; United Kingdom
• ITRD Terms: 1243: Car; 8023: China; 213: Energy; 356: Land use; 173: Policy; 2427: Sustainability; 354: Town planning; 633: Traffic restraint; 8119: United Kingdom; 313: Urban area; 9084: Use
• Subject Areas: Energy; Environment; Planning and Forecasting; Policy; I15: Environment; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01027292
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Jul 5 2006 12:31PM