How could cities be planned and managedto contribute to

sustainable development goals?

Fred LeeDepartment of Geography

The University of Hong Kong

March 15, 2012

Why focus on cities in SD discourse?

~ policies aimed at achieving SD: - greatest leverage at city-level [why?]

* rich countries: most people live in cities * production/ consumption: mostly in cities * high urban densities savings (materials & energy) * local govts: immediately accountable to constituents

How cities could help achieve SD goals?

~ meet human needs in cities without depleting environmental capital

AND

~ improve environmental quality in cities

AND

~ reduce transfer of environmental costs:- to other people- to other ecosystems- into the future

Cities: five environmental actions SD goals

1. control infectious diseases

2. reduce chemical & physical hazards

3. create a high quality city environment for all

4. minimize transfer of env costs to people/ ecosystems outside city boundary

5. ensure progress toward “sustainable consumption” of world’s natural capital

Action 1: Control infectious diseases

~ mis-management of public health diseases- emerging diseases- re-emerging diseases- why emerging and re-emerging diseases?

~ cities: advantages for control of infectious diseases- concentration of people lower unit costs- concentration of expertise & resources

Action 2: Reduce chemical & physical hazards

~ industrial production + road traffic hazards

- home: control indoor air pollution - workplace: control occupational hazards- neighbourhood: reduce risk from floods &

landslides- urban: traffic management

Action 3: Build a high quality city environment

~ provide facilities pleasant & safe environment- sufficient: on per capita basis- accessible: for all city dwellers- responsive: diverse needs & priorities

~ institutional barriers- middle- & upper-income groups

* purchase/ rent: exclusive access to env provisions

* reduced pressure for public action

Action 4: Minimize transfer of env costs to city-region

~ demand for resources & waste generation in cities impact on ecology of city-region

- sewers & drains improve city environment * impact of wastewater on wider region

- tall smokestacks: transfer env costs of power stations * acid rain damages on region’s ecosystems

Action 5: Sustainable consumption: global natural capital

~ important distinction between Action 4 & Action 5 Action 5: beyond city-region & into the future

~ consumption in wealthy cities: consequences?- imports: transfer env costs outside city-regions- GHGs: transfer env costs into the future

~ a North-South issue [why?]- concentration of high consumption HHs in North- much greater historic contribution by North

Constraints on environmental actions

~ Actions 1, 2 & 3:

- whose responsibility?- who oppose such actions?- prospect?

Constraints on environmental actions

~ Action 4:

- whose responsibility?- who oppose such an action?- “environmental racism”- institutional constraints - prospect?

Constraints on environmental actions

~ Action 5:

- whose responsibility?- “green consumerism”/ “eco-labelling”- “fair trade”/ “ethical sourcing”- who oppose such an action?- prospect?

How cities could help achieve SD goals?

~ meet human needs in cities without depleting environmental capital

AND

~ improve environmental quality in cities

AND

~ reduce transfer of environmental costs:- to other people- to other ecosystems- into the future