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Urban sprawl, climate change, and impact on animal life
‘Sprawl’, according to Merriam-Webster, means, ‘to spread or develop irregularly, or without restraint.’
In the context of urban design, ‘urban sprawl’ refers to the – usually unplanned – growth of cities, and if we look at the facts – that today, 55% of the world’s population lives in cities. By 2050, that will increase to 68% – this means, as the world’s population increases, and more people migrate from rural areas to urban ones, cities must expand to accommodate that growth. So this growth applies to most cities – urban sprawl applies to most cities.
Now, these growths, these expanding ‘sprawls’ – they’re not happening in a vacuum. They’re happening in physical, geographical contexts. Urban sprawl encroaches on natural land around the city. Ocean sprawl spreads its structures with its synthetic chemicals and rust and paint – right into the ocean. These environments of land and water, and their shared realm of air, are all being invaded by expedited human activity. Human activity, that aggressively pollutes the climate.
Climate change is not something that just happens in a vacuum, either. We are the ones causing it to change. We, as a global civilization.
So, climate change is not a phenomenon that is endemic to any single region.
One of the foundational texts, one could say, in this program, pops up at the beginning of the curriculum. The New Urban Agenda, the mouthpiece of the ever-reliable UN, outlines requirements and makes demands on what makes a real 21st century city sustainable, and therefore equitable. Fair enough.
The handbook outlines its objectives, stating clearly that, given the interdisciplinarity of urban development at large, the recommendations, strategies and concepts covered would “require coordinating various sectors to achieve sustainability and success.” It continues that the NUA intends to leave no one behind, ensuring as ever sustainable urban economies – that are also inclusive – and doesn’t stop there. In fact, the NUA goes on to establish its legitimacy, citing the process and work done extensively that lead to the production of this handbook, actionable in any country-wide, regional, and local context.
If that is so, then this means the handbook can be applied – with some tweaks and modifications – to any geography, any sociopolitical context. The NUA says so. Then why are the systems of cultures not as close to the Eurocentric norm accepted (and propagated*) by the UN not treated with the same level of possibility and dignified language?
Why does it not bear mentioning that some of the different land management systems were a result of UN in position through IMF, remnants of colonial systems, and other vestiges the UN has not raised a finger to help relieve, despite the bodies’ apparent mission of promote equitable opportunities for growth throughout different nations?
Planning for typical urban renewal with strategies that have heretofore been applied to (and not even always worked for) a Western city standard, and now expecting these strategies to be simply transplanted on possibly different climates, and definitely different cultures, which would have shaped city – to some extent – differently, with spaces built for different purposes and functions.
Why does the language dismiss these practices and norms? Why does it not take the perceived difficulties as challenging contexts that the NUA should mold to? Instead, we get this address that seems to sweep these contexts to the side; no note of work on going to understand the intricacies and come up with localized solutions – the way the NUA boasts it can for other places – perhaps even all other places.
If the language in this post has seemed biased so far, or too demanding, let me go further. While the NUA was introduced in Evaluating Sustainable Lands and Cities, this next point comes from a case study presented in another course, Envisioning Sustainable Lands and Cities. One of the case studies covered was on REDD+, a UN program dedicated to positive climate efforts – in developing countries. That premise alone is two-toned; it seems understandable that a developing country would focus and prioritize improving more imminent facets of health, housing, economy and self-reliance issues through education, easily acquired energy, and so forth, as soon as possible. Trying to get there fast might overlook sustainable practice. Having a somewhat ‘global’ task force from the UN would help to keep such efforts aligned with sustainable practice, which, as we all know, has lasting impacts not only locally, but worldwide. But is this what REDD+ truly is? Continue reading “1.”→
