The sustainable city
For many years now, the most important cities in the world have sought to label themselves as sustainable city or sustainable for the benefit not only of its inhabitants, who are a priority, it is also to advance in a necessary environmental respect.
It implies that all the social strata and layers of a city that constitute a complex framework within some fundamental dimensions of sustainability: social, environmental and economic, in the activity of any city that represents an effort to try to define rules based on development smart urban.
One of the most reliable indicators to be classified with the title of more sustainable city We find it from ARCADIS that works together in support of UN Habitat and that offers the annual report of Sustainable Cities Index. To determine the strengths and weaknesses of most sustainable cities in the world. The study is based on three key points of importance:
What are the keys to a sustainable city
Balancing the immediate needs of today without compromising the needs of tomorrow is the objective that every urban population that wants to respond to the quality of life of its inhabitants must achieve, with human populations that are inclusive, safe and resistant within a scale of sustainability. coherent.
1.- The quality of life in people
From education (Literacy and universities), health (Life expectancy and obesity), income inequality, the balance between work and family life, the dependency ratio, crime, housing or living costs. These indicators can be widely considered as the portrait of the «quality of life».
2.- Environmental factors
In the classification according to energy consumption and the share of renewable energy, the rates of green spaces within, recycling and composting, greenhouse gas emissions, the risk of natural disasters, drinking water, sanitation or pollution of the air. These indicators in general terms can be considered as «factors that benefit the planet».
3.- A healthy economy
Economic performance is examined from a business perspective, the combination of transport infrastructure measures (Rail, air and traffic congestion), the ease of doing business, tourism, GDP per capita, the importance of the city in the global economic networks, connectivity in terms of mobiles (See also TOD Cities) Internet access or employment rates. These signs in general terms detail the good economic performance of a city and its society.
For more information. Three guide articles can clarify the needs of the cities of the future:
- Ecological guidelines in the sustainable city
- Urban sustainability indicators
- How to assess urban sustainability
The objectives
Let us remember that the sustainable development objectives officially established by the UN are 17 key points that must be considered in all human settlements. With the following scheme they are clarified …
Let us remember that the philosophy of permaculture is playing an important role in this matter.
What is the first sustainable city
Returning to the reference report. TheSustainable Cities of the World IndexIt encompasses the study of 100 metropolises around the world where an attempt is made to offer an indicative picture of the health and wealth of cities, for the present and the future, around the planet with the intention of recognizing weaknesses and being able to act accordingly.
Sustainable cities ranking
According to the previous image, it can be observed that in northern Europe they are very involved in maintaining a healthy standard of living from the perspective of the cities.
From HERE we can consult the indicators in an interactive way that also boats the aspects of; Transport infrastructure, economic development, the ease of doing business, tourism in the municipalities, connectivity or the employment of cities according to their inhabitants. If we make a comparison:
We can see that Zurich (the main city in Switzerland) wins the prize with an ambitious renewable energy target that aims to use only 2,000 watts per person by 2050.
The city's investments in renewable energy sources and energy efficiency were key to winning the top spot. In addition, as a world financial center, it is highly successful in terms of economics and the quality of life of its residents. We leave a small video to see the town Zurich…
If we look at Spain, Madrid would rise first (Position 20), followed by Barcelona located in position 24. From the United States, they rank firmly in the middle of the ranking, with New York City leading the pack (26th).
Although many urban centers in the country had scores in the economic sector, they fell short when it came to social support and environmental initiatives key points of any sustainable city that wants to last in the future.
In the case of South America, although the report indicates that they are making great strides, in the area of sustainability there is still much to be done. At the top we can see Santiago de Chile, followed by Sao Paulo and Buenos Aires.
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