Characteristics of a sustainable city

Conserving the historical and natural environment

Example: Liverpool Maritime Mercantile City
Liverpool waterfront and areas associated with its development designated World Heritage site in 2004
Recognised importance of area as port and associated buildings of global significance during British Empire's heyday - 18/19th centuries
Many buildings have changed functions but are architecturally the same
Reducing / stopping development on edge of existing built-up area
Encouraging development on sites previously used in inner city / other areas

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Green belts = area where restrictions placed on building to prevent outward expansion of towns and cities and to protect natural environment
Urban sprawl = uncontrolled outward expansion of built-up area of town/city
Provides recreational open space for residents
Alternative locations for development must be offered for growth to continue
Building on brownfield sites therefore simultaneously encouraged
Encourages sustainability

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2000: UK producing 330 million tonnes of waste / year (Albert Hall / hour)
30 million tonnes of this = household waste
Target of reducing this by 40% by 2010 - as of 2004 only 18% achieved
20% of household waste = garden waste
18% of household waste = paper and cardboard
17% of household waste = kitchen waste
Must consider cost of transporting and reprocessing products
Plastic bag usage must be reduced
Main options: landfill and incineration
73% of UK household waste disposed of via landfill / 9% incineration (unpopular and lots of issues associated with it)
HOWEVER landfill shortages due to start becoming problem in 2015

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Presence of official green belts + areas where LAs choose to restrict buildings around cities = open space for recreation purposes
Many areas within cities have designated areas of open space:
- Parks
- Playing fields
- Individual gardens

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People with ownership of ideas / involvement / in control of their own destiny are more likely to respond positively and care for their building / environment
Essential to consult people at planning stages before decisions are made
Residents form associations to gain stronger collective voice
Asking what residents want + providing it = happy residents + residents who take better care of their homes
This can involve 'minor' things such as colour schemes for paint / bathroom suites etc.
Meetings in local halls where plans can be seen and discussed = opportunity to give views + feeling of inclusion not exclusion

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Volume of cars as private transport = barrier to sustainability of a city
Congestion charging = unattractive to drivers ==> use alternative transport
PT must be efficient, reliable and comfortable
Underground and rail links in London - improvements are a key focus
Tube trains, lines and stations all being upgraded
Overground links to be extended to form complete circuit around London - railway equivalent to M25
Improvements to bus safety and making buses more frequent to reduce overcrowding will make them more attractive
By 2008, CCTV on all buses to increase feelings of safety / security
More bus stops gaining bus shelters
Quality / accessibility improvements - over 75% of buses have low floor access
Extended bus lanes = quicker journeys
Oyster cards = reduced rates + faster service = HAPPIER travelers!

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