Urban Sustainability Flashcards

All 12 cards in this deck

What is sustainable urban living?

Living in a city in a way that meets people's needs today without reducing the ability of future generations to meet theirs.

Name two water conservation measures used in sustainable cities.

Collecting rainwater on roofs; greywater systems for toilet flushing and gardens.
(Also permeable paving and low water demand appliances.)

Give one energy conservation measure in a sustainable city, and how it aids sustainability.

Solar panels (or passive solar heating / better building design / LED lighting).
They reduce the need for fossil fuels and so reduce the impact on climate change.

Give one advantage of recycling waste.

It reduces the amount going to landfill, which cuts the amount of land needed to bury waste.
(Or: saves resources, as new materials do not have to be found.)

Name three urban transport strategies used to reduce traffic congestion.

Congestion charging; park and ride schemes; promoting and improving public transport.

What is congestion charging?

Charging drivers a fee to drive into a city centre at busy times, so fewer vehicles enter and traffic flows faster.

True or false? In a park and ride scheme drivers pay a charge to drive into the city centre.

False. Drivers park in a car park on the edge of the city and travel into the centre by bus or tram.

Give one reason why managing transport is important for urban sustainability.

To reduce carbon emissions, which reduces the greenhouse effect and climate change.
(Or: less congestion means less time wasted travelling, so businesses stay profitable.)

What does a city's household recycling rate show?

The percentage of household waste collected that is recycled rather than disposed of, e.g. a rate of 50% means half of household waste is recycled.

Give two benefits of creating green space in a city.

Any two: trees and shade cool the air, reducing urban heat; plants absorb air pollutants and carbon dioxide; soil and vegetation soak up rainwater, lowering flood risk; parks give space for exercise and relaxation, reducing stress.

How do bus priority lanes help reduce traffic congestion?

Lanes reserved for buses let them bypass queues, so bus journeys are quicker and more reliable, encouraging people to travel by bus instead of by car.

How does car sharing reduce traffic congestion?

People making the same journey travel together in one car, so fewer vehicles are on the road. Some cities give shared cars their own traffic lanes to encourage it.