#Sustainable Cities

[thedisablednaturalist]

People should get reimbursed for commute time

If it takes someone over an hour to get to work, that should be part of their pay.

Many people have to commute long distances/through areas of slow traffic because they cannot afford to live closer to their workplace. This is also why work from home is a big thing.

If corporations want people to return to their offices, they need to make it appealing enough. I'm not going to fight through traffic for 2 hrs in my free time just to sit at a computer all day, when I could just stay home and don't waste that time.

Corporations would be forced to invest in local affordable housing, perhaps even affording housing credits. They would need to invest in local infrastructure (which in the US is falling to pieces) and improve public transport in their area (faster commute -> less cost to the company, less cars on road -> traffic moves faster, employees without cars would still be able to get to work). Also people would be less stressed and actually take the time to drive safely because they wouldn't feel the need to rush. It would make companies actually take an interest in how their workers get to work and investing in local communities.

I live sort of near DC. We have a HUGE amount of workers commuting into the city and its surrounding cities. Retail workers also have to commute to these cities and suburbs because they cannot afford to live in those areas. My boyfriend commutes an hour to his part time job at a kennel in a rich town. A lot of people live in the more affordable, lower income, far away areas in the nearby states because housing prices in my area are fucking insane. I knew someone who commuted 2+ hours to work and 2+ hours back. There are people who drive even more than that.

And where do these employees have to live? Food deserts. Crumbling infastructure. No parks, no walkability, no public transport, bare bones everything. Only the cities which only the few can afford have basic infrastructure. And even the people living there have to commute to OTHER even richer areas. There's a ton of places where housing developments have just been shoved and are surrounded by nothing but farms. There's nothing local to do, so everyone goes to the closest town and city. It's also why you see a lot of older towns have abandoned main streets. Why have your business cater to the 100 people who live there when you can be in a city with thousands?

There has been some recent interest in paid commute times. 1 2 especially with corporations trying to get workers to go back to the office. Personally, I love working in my office because having a separate space outside my home helps me keep work and home separate and allows me to focus easier since I'm not in "home mode". I don't have room for an office in my parents house so working from home kinda sucks rn even though it would help a lot since I'm disabled. But it is nice being physically near my coworkers, even if it gets annoying sometimes. Also many jobs involve fieldwork (like mine!) which can't be done remotely anyway!

There would be incentive for corporations to keep their employees close AND provide more remote work options for those living farther away. As well as matching pay to fit rent/housing prices in the area (or vice versa).

Also there needs to be something done about corporations having their entire workforce sourced from another country entirely, working for pennies. But that's an even more complicated situation that I don't have experience in.

[atlurbanist]

"Adopting land-use policies leading to more compact and resource-efficient urban growth through higher residential and job densities, mixed land use and transit-oriented development could reduce GHG emissions by 25 per cent by 2050."

Why we fight ✊

I mean, climate action isn't the *only* reason we fight for better urbanism. It's important for social equity, for local economies, physical & mental health...lots of reasons. But climate is a big one, and global cities are all responsible for making improvements.

[rphazarika]

Car-Free Streets in Oslo: A Bold Step Towards Sustainability

Oslo, Norway, often known for its beautiful fjords and cutting-edge environmental policies, has taken a transformative leap in urban planning by implementing car-free streets in the city center. This bold move is part of the city’s broader goal to become one of the most sustainable and livable cities in the world. With cities across the globe grappling with climate change, pollution, and urban…

[sustainablecore]

Building a Sustainable City | Paving the Way for a Greener Future

What is sustainable city?

A sustainable city is an urban area that prioritizes environmentally-friendly practices, social inclusivity, and economic prosperity. It focuses on reducing carbon emissions, promoting renewable energy, efficient resource management, and creating a high quality of life for residents. Sustainable cities aim to balance development with environmental preservation, social equity, and long-term sustainability.

[yessoupy]

In 2016, I taught Qasem how to fold a paper crane. His family is in Gaza (he is safe in Germany). His father is collecting funds that Qasem sends him each month to purchase food for those living in tents and on the street. Qasem's English is not the best, so the description as I post this isn't the best, either, but I will vouch for him.

All of these Palestinian students of mine I met while teaching about leadership and communication in Ireland. At the conference, their projects were ALWAYS about education and how to ensure Palestinian kids could get the best education possible. When they left, they had friends from America and Ireland. My goal was to, yes, foster a sense of leadership in them, but more importantly to have them leave with these friends and new connections, and to encourage them to keep in touch. I always offered myself as someone who would be happy to write a letter of reference, help them proofread an essay, give advice about education, etc.

Now, they reach out to me to help them raise money to save their people. I post here and every other platform and WISH these posts got the kind of attention that my 3am post about Amber Glenn got, or that stupid post that went viral. Every single fundraiser I post is one that I myself have donated to. I've spoken to the person who started the fundraiser, or their family member.

I am BEGGING you to help my students, their families, and their friends. If you can't donate, please just SHARE the link. Please.

Heba needs help getting her handicapped family member out of Gaza

Joslin needs help getting her family out of Gaza

Taleed is seeking help to get her family's business rebuilt, including paying employees while this war is happening

I'll end this plea with some gallows humor. Mohammed has been relatively lucky throughout this war and has had WhatsApp access nearly continuously. I've checked in with him at least once a week since October. This is our most recent 'check-in' exchange:

[morayofsunshine]

If you want better public transportation in your area, I cannot recommend enough that you take the transporation surveys your local government sends out. Seriously, that's how they get data about public opinion of public transportation that isn't just from ticket sales. We need to counter the narrative from classist people that don't want poor people to be able to visit their rich neighborhoods and who regularly talk about how they think public transportation is annoying and ugly and unnecessary.

The surveys I take ask how often I take various types of transportation and what would need to change in order for me to take more sustainable modes of transportation. So, it's a way to make your voice heard and let your local government know that yes, the people do want to use the trains and bus routes and bike lanes, but they're blocked from doing so due to infrequent buses or narrow schedules or no routes near their destination or unsafe conditions for bicyclists. In other words, this will support the claims by pro-transit representatives that if the public transit system had more funding, then more people would use it.

And if you'd like to do a little more, I recommend sharing these surveys with your community, or getting in contact with your local government and suggesting that they send out a survey if your area doesn't yet have one.

[architekturbanistik]

Fiume-Veneto "Urbanà silenziosa"

Internationaler Wettbewerb 2004 - Engere Wahl

Entwurf: Klaus E. Krauss und Rolf Teloh Berlin mit Thorsten Werner, München

Die norditalienische Stadt Fiume-Veneto wandelt sich seit einigen Jahren von einem verhältnismäßig austauschbaren Vorort von Pordenone/Veneto hin zu einer Kleinstadt eigenständiger Identität.

Gleichzeitig verändert sich ihre ökonomische und soziale Basis. Die Schließung der großen Spinnerei auf der Flussinsel bedeutete einen Einschnitt in die bisherige Ortsgeschichte.

Welche urbane Kraft lässt sich aus dem entstandenen Vakuum heraus gewinnen?

Das neue Rathaus der Stadt, ein Museum, neue Räume für Wohnen und Arbeiten sowie ein »Raum der Stille« besetzen die Flussinsel mit einem stark verdichteten und nutzungsgemischten Programm.

Die gewählte Baustruktur mit ihren betont engen Gassen, kleinen Gärten und großzügigen Plätzen am Wasser orientiert sich an venezianischen Motiven. »Isola del Fiume« wird immer ein verhältnismäßig ruhiger Ort bleiben; die im Entwurf gewählte Raumform versucht dennoch Urbanität auszustrahlen.

Das Städtische muss sich nicht auf die Zentren der Metropolen beschränken. Auch »Stille Urbanität« hat ihren eigenen Reiz und Ausdruck.

[worldcitiesday]

Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.

Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, has a population of approximately 900,000 people. Ashgabat aims to tackle the issues caused by rapid urbanization by participating in the project “Sustainable Cities in Turkmenistan: Integrated Green Urban Development in Ashgabat and Awaza” led by UNEP and UNDP in cooperation with the Ministry of Environment of Turkmenistan. The project covers sustainable urban development in the capital including the development of city-wide sustainability plans. As part of Turkmenistan’s “National Forest Program” with the goal of planting 10 million new trees throughout the country, Ashgabat made a pledge under the “Trees in Cities Challenge” to plant 1.6 million new trees of various species including fruit trees. 

[worldhabitatday]

High-Level Opening Ceremony of the Global Observance of the World Habitat Day 2023.

UN-Habitat, in partnership with the World Economic Forum, believes that these models can be localised and scaled up through the Global Partnership for Local Investment, where experiences are shared to build a local finance framework for cities and communities, to help distribute existing funding and finance to where it can deliver the greatest impact.

The local finance framework integrates three key solutions to facilitate this access:

Cities Investment Facility (CIF)

UN-Habitat/UNCDF Guarantee Facility for Sustainable Cities

Rapid Own Source Revenue Analysis (ROSRA)

PROGRAMME

Get the World Health Day 2023 Programme.

Watch the High-Level Opening Ceremony of the Global Observance of the World Habitat Day 2023.

[manojnaironline]

Designing cities of the future

I am assuming AI systems would be tasked with designing cities of the future. Even if humans were doing it there are some factors that would have to be taken into consideration: A city of the future would have to house millions. This will need a lot of space. Skyscrapers are not something I like but unfortunately would be a necessity. These skyscrapers will house tens of thousands and would…

[slypuzzle]

Why Cities Need Green Spaces

Urban parks, gardens, and forests do more than beautify our cities—they cool the air, support wildlife, and improve our health. How can we bring more nature into our cities?  

[atlurbanist]

Yep. Climate change is going to produce a mad scramble for relocations from areas burdened with floods, wildfires, & hurricanes -- and Atlanta is going to be a natural target for climate refugees. Planning for sustainable, equitable density is crucial. It's our responsibility. Accept it.

[newspatron]

5 Ways to Combat Urban Flooding in Pune

Share your thoughts! Have you experienced urban flooding in Pune? What solutions do you think are most effective?

Hey there, urban adventurers! Ever found yourself knee-deep in unexpected waters, cursing the city planners? Well, Pune’s recent flood fiasco is a prime example of how our concrete jungles can turn into swamps overnight. In this blog, we’ll get down and dirty with the nitty-gritty of why these floods keep happening and what we can do about it. We’ll even throw in some tips for those of you…

[agrocomp0sites]

Sustainable Practices for a Healthier Planet

Outline Main Topic Subtopics Introduction – Definition of Sustainability Sustainable Practices – Importance of Sustainable Practices – Examples of Sustainable Practices – Benefits of Sustainable Practices Environmental Sustainability – Key Concepts in Environmental Sustainability – Ecosystem Services and Sustainability – The Role of Biodiversity in Sustainability Sustainable Development…

[ndegegeoffrey]

Sustainable destinations take full account of their current and future economic, social and environmental impacts whilst addressing the needs of all.