Urban Development & Sustainability

 

Urban development is not only a process to create and formulate a vision for a city as it also involves the analysis of the actual situation and the prospects for economic and social development in addition to its consequences for urban planning. Urban development is both a process and a product to identify ways for creating the conditions for sustainability of a city and its relationship with the region in economic, ecological and social dimensions (Rainer Müller –Jökel.2003).

The term sustainable development goes beyond the boundaries of science, business development and trade as it also includes human development, values and culture. Sustainable community is the ability to make development choices that respect the relationship between the economy, ecology and equity. Economic activity should serve the common good, be self-renewing, and build local assets and self-sufficiency. From the concept of ecology, communities are responsible for protecting and building natural assets. Equity means the opportunity for full participation in all activities, benefits and decision-making of a society. (E. Goell, N. El-Lahham, W. Hussen, S. El-Khishin, S. Soliman, 2009).

By promoting sustainable urban form and function, cities become more healthy and viable for citizens. Efficient urban form helps to protect the locality of ecosystems that cities depend on. In many ways, the advantages of sustainable communities are underlined in the characteristics and definitions of urban sustainability. A good quality of life, natural open spaces, reduced waste, equality, access, lower crime, sense of community, clean air, water quality and environmental diversity are just a few beneficial characteristics of a sustainable city. 

The most important advantage of a sustainable city is that it follows such a development path that allows for an integral and long-term development without compromising future generations. At the same time this includes intergenerational equality. A sustainable city should deliver its services in such a way as to make them accessible and affordable to all residents regardless of income, age, or ethnic identity. Indeed, the concept of sustainable communities is challenging local authorities, developers and design/project teams to ensure that all new developments and regeneration schemes are designed and built sustainably, creating places where people want to live and work in ways which address environmental issues (BREEAM, 2011).