Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
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7-8 MAKING URBAN AREAS MORE
LIVABLE AND SUSTAINABLE
H
OW
W
OULD
Y
OU
V
OTE
?
Should urban areas in the coun-
try where you live emphasize developing a mass transportation
system or developing a bus system? Cast your vote online at
http://biology.brookscole.com/miller1.
Solutions: Smart Growth
Smart growth can control growth patterns, discourage
urban sprawl, reduce car dependence, and protect
ecologically sensitive areas.
Smart growth
is emerging as a means to encourage
more environmentally sustainable development that
requires less dependence on cars, controls and directs
sprawl, and reduces wasteful resource use. It recog-
nizes that urban growth will occur. At the same time, it
uses zoning laws and other tools to channel growth
into areas where it can cause less harm, discourage
sprawl, protect ecologically sensitive and important
lands and waterways, and develop more environmen-
tally sustainable urban areas and neighborhoods that
are more enjoyable places to live. Figure 7-25 lists pop-
ular smart growth tools. Are any of them being em-
ployed in your community?
Some communities are using the principles of
new
urbanism
to develop entire villages and recreate mixed
neighborhoods within existing cities. These principles
include
walkability,
with most things being located
within a 10-minute walk of home and work;
mixed use
and diversity
, which seeks a mix of pedestrian-friendly
shops, offices, apartments, and homes and people of
different ages, classes, cultures, and races;
quality urban
design
emphasizing beauty, aesthetics, and architec-
tural diversity;
environmental sustainability
based on
development with minimal environmental impact;
and
smart transportation
in which high-quality trains
connect neighborhoods, towns, and cities. The goal is
to create places that uplift, enrich, and inspire the hu-
man spirit.
T rade-Offs
Buses
Advantages
Disadvantages
More flexible than
rail system
Can lose money
because they
need low fares
to attract riders
Can be rerouted
as needed
Often get caught
in traffic unless
operating in
express lanes
Cost less to
develop and
maintain than
heavy-rail system
Commits riders to
transportation
schedules
Can greatly
reduce car use
and pollution
Noisy
Figure 7-23
Trade-offs:
advantages and disadvantages of
bus systems in urban areas. Critical thinking: pick the single
advantage and disadvantage that you think are the most
important.
x
H
OW
W
OULD
Y
OU
V
OTE
?
Should the United States (or the
country where you live) develop rapid rail systems between
urban areas that are less than 960 kilometers (600 miles) apart
even though this will be quite costly? Cast your vote online at
http://biology.brookscole.com/miller11.
T rade-Offs
Rapid Rail
Advantages
Disadvantages
Can reduce travel by car
or plane
Expensive to run and maintain
Ideal for trips of 200-1,000
kilometers (120-620 miles)
Must operate along heavily
used routes to be profitable
Much more energy efficient
per rider over the same
distance than a car or plane
Cause noise and vibration for
nearby residents
Figure 7-24
Trade-offs:
advantages and disadvantages of
rapid rail systems between urban
areas. Critical thinking: pick the single advantage and disadvantage that you think are the most
important.
