Urban Sustainability (AQA GCSE Geography): Revision Note

Specification links

The notes on this page cover part of 3.2.1 Urban issues and challenges on the AQA GCSE specification. (opens in a new tab)

3.2.1 - Key idea: Urban sustainability requires management of resources and transport.

• Features of sustainable urban living:

  • Water and energy conservation.

  • Waste recycling.

  • Creating green space.

• How urban transport strategies are used to reduce traffic congestion.

Urban sustainability

• Sustainability can be defined as:

• Sustainable urban living is about meeting those needs but also the environment we live in

Water conservation

• Many cities grow in areas with limited water, and climate change will likely make the problem worse

• Protection and conservation are important

  • This means using less, recycling, and reusing water

• We need to improve sanitation by

  • Wastewater treatment

  • Teach people about water use and waste

  • Upgrade or set up water treatment plants

  • Encouraging the use of low-flow flush toilets or using greywater systems

Energy conservation

• Increasing temperatures:

  • Electrical items in cities contributes to higher temperatures due to the heat they produce when running

  • Energy-saving appliances should be used

• Climate change:

  • Cities consume a lot of energy

  • Governments should promote renewable energy sources instead of fossil fuels

• Health:

  • Coal power stations release huge amounts of pollution, creating smog

  • This leads to health issues for its citizens

Urban greening

• There is a need to manage economic and environmental factors to improve people's quality of life

• This involves:

  • Offering green spaces for families to enjoy

  • Using brownfield sites instead of greenfield sites

  • Engaging local communities that offer various job opportunities

• Urban greening:

  • Vegetation and soil hold water, reducing flooding by preventing it from going to drains and rivers

  • Gardens and green areas boost biodiversity in cities

  • Reduces temperatures: materials in urban areas, like concrete, tarmac, and glass, absorb heat, making cities hotter than the countryside

  • Vegetation provides shade and helps cool the city

  • Improve air quality with trees and plants that filter the air, reducing pollution and its impact on people

• Many companies are adopting corporate sustainability and working to reduce their carbon footprint by focusing on their impact on the environment.

• Some methods include:

  • Reducing the amount of packaging

  • Recyclable packaging

  • Trading locally 

  • Using renewable energy and other low-energy devices (lights, monitors, etc.)

• Cities also need to be economically sustainable, or they can become bankrupt

  • Detroit, Michigan, became the largest city in US history (2013) to file for bankruptcy after its revenue fell due to a declining population, rising unemployment and a lack of property and income taxes

• Ecotown developments are another sustainable measure

  • Designed to reduce its overall footprint and encourage strong community ties

  • All homes have energy-saving measures, such as a community biomass boiler and free wi-fi to encourage working from home and less commuting

  • All homes have triple-glazed windows, extra insulation, solar panels, low-energy lightbulbs and kitchen appliances

  • Green spaces to protect and enhance wildlife

Urban transport

Transport strategies

• Cutting traffic congestion will lower pollution and stress. Being stuck in a traffic jam on the way to work is frustrating

• Promote public transport options like self-service bikes and multi-use travel cards

• Establish bus lane priority to avoid delays and encourage usage

• Encourage flexible hours or remote work

• Cities can invest in public transport. This improves the efficiency and safety of buses and trains while reducing pollution and congestion

• Bristol was the UK's first city to promote cycling. It invested in cycle lanes and supported bike projects

• Encourage car sharing to cut congestion and enhance air quality. Many cities have carpool lanes that make getting around easier and quicker

• Invest in Park and Ride to cut car usage in the city centre and improve the environment

• Many cities have congestion charges for people who decide to drive into the city centre

  • London has a strict congestion charge and has reduced its levels of pollution by approximately 25% and stopped 13,500 cars a day entering the city centr

• Curitiba has introduced a number of initiatives to make it a sustainable city

  • It was the first city in Brazil to have a dedicated bus lane

  • 80% of travellers use the Bus Rapid Transport system and no one lives more than 400 metres from the bus stop

  • The bus fare is the same wherever you go and you can travel all day on one fare

  • Passengers can recycle plastic and glass bottles to pay for a bus fare

  • The city has also increased its use of green spaces and these spaces stop favelas from encroaching into the city centre

  • Parks and lakes reduce flooding and this saves money, lives and rebuild costs

  • Curitiba recycles over 70% of its waste and the poorer residents of the favelas are paid for the waste they collect, not in money but in food

  • 99% of Curitiba's residents were found to be very happy with their city