URBAN ECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT

&
ECO-CITIES
Akshay Heblikar
KINSHIP Fellow, Chicago, USA
Director, ECO-WATCH
Urban Ecosystems:
Urban ecosystems are the cities, towns and urban strips constructed
by humans. This is the growth in the urban population and the
supporting built infrastructure has affected both urban environments and
also on areas which surround urban areas. These include semi or 'peri-
urban' environments that fringe cities as well as agricultural and natural
landscapes.
Urban Ecosystems are dynamic ecological systems (ecosystems) that have
similar interactions and behaviours as natural ecosystems.
Unlike natural ecosystems, however, urban ecosystems are a hybrid of
natural and man-made elements whose interactions are affected not
only by the natural environment, but also culture, personal behaviour,
politics, economics and social organisation.
Urban Ecosystems:
Urban ecosystems are the cities, towns and urban strips constructed
by humans. This is the growth in the urban population and the
supporting built infrastructure has affected both urban environments and
also on areas which surround urban areas. These include semi or 'peri-
urban' environments that fringe cities as well as agricultural and natural
landscapes.
Urban Ecosystems are dynamic ecological systems (ecosystems) that have
similar interactions and behaviours as natural ecosystems.
Unlike natural ecosystems, however, urban ecosystems are a hybrid of
natural and man-made elements whose interactions are affected not
only by the natural environment, but also culture, personal behaviour,
politics, economics and social organisation.
Urban Ecology:
Is the scientific study of the relation of living organisms with each other
and their surroundings in the context of the proposed urban environment.
The urban environment refers to environments dominated by high-density
residential and commercial buildings, paved surfaces, and other intense
human influences, which create a unique landscape dissimilar to many
previously studied environments in the field of ecology
Urban ecology is a recent field of study compared to ecology as a whole.
The methods and studies of urban ecology are similar to and comprise a
subset of ecology. The study of urban ecology carries increasing
importance because, within the next forty years, two-thirds of the worlds
population will be living in expanding urban centers. The ecological
processes in the urban environment are comparable to those outside the
urban context. However, the types of urban habitats and the species that
inhabit them are poorly documented. Often, explanations for phenomena
examined in the urban setting as well as predicting changes because of
urbanization are the center for scientific research.
Urban Ecology:
Is the scientific study of the relation of living organisms with each other
and their surroundings in the context of the proposed urban environment.
The urban environment refers to environments dominated by high-density
residential and commercial buildings, paved surfaces, and other intense
human influences, which create a unique landscape dissimilar to many
previously studied environments in the field of ecology
Urban ecology is a recent field of study compared to ecology as a whole.
The methods and studies of urban ecology are similar to and comprise a
subset of ecology. The study of urban ecology carries increasing
importance because, within the next forty years, two-thirds of the worlds
population will be living in expanding urban centers. The ecological
processes in the urban environment are comparable to those outside the
urban context. However, the types of urban habitats and the species that
inhabit them are poorly documented. Often, explanations for phenomena
examined in the urban setting as well as predicting changes because of
urbanization are the center for scientific research.
Key Features :
Urban areas act as population centres providing goods and services not
only for its population, but also for populations worldwide. Urban
ecosystems can no longer be considered as a separate entity to the
environment as they have direct and indirect impacts on the immediate
and wider environments.
Many of the environmental problems faced today (eg: global warming,
water and air pollution and inadequate access to safe drinking water) can
be traced back to cities and lifestyle choices.
With urban population levels expected to reach 60% in the next 30 years
and the majority of urbanisation to occur in developing countries, urban
environmental management is being increasingly important.
Key Features :
Urban areas act as population centres providing goods and services not
only for its population, but also for populations worldwide. Urban
ecosystems can no longer be considered as a separate entity to the
environment as they have direct and indirect impacts on the immediate
and wider environments.
Many of the environmental problems faced today (eg: global warming,
water and air pollution and inadequate access to safe drinking water) can
be traced back to cities and lifestyle choices.
With urban population levels expected to reach 60% in the next 30 years
and the majority of urbanisation to occur in developing countries, urban
environmental management is being increasingly important.
Urban areas can not exist in isolation. They require inputs from, and
waste assimilation functions of, other ecosystems. Ecological footprint
analysis has shown that many cities require a productive land and sea
area several times the city's size in order to support the population.
The urban ecosystem contains both individual and layered (nested)
systems from three spheres: (a) the natural environment, (b) the built
environment and (c) the socio-economic environment. In order to
develop policies and programs that advance sustainable development
and the equitable allocation of resources, each system within the urban
ecosystem needs to be recognized as a living entity that constantly
changes. This differs from the typical segregated and static management
approach. Each system requires dynamic balancing and integration. In
addition, the interdependencies and interactions between each system
and between the urban ecosystem as a whole and other ecosystems
need to be understood. Unhealthy urban ecosystems can lead to local
and wider environmental degradation, social problems, economic
decline, human health problems and further disconnection from nature.
The urban ecosystem contains both individual and layered (nested)
systems from three spheres: (a) the natural environment, (b) the built
environment and (c) the socio-economic environment. In order to
develop policies and programs that advance sustainable development
and the equitable allocation of resources, each system within the urban
ecosystem needs to be recognized as a living entity that constantly
changes. This differs from the typical segregated and static management
approach. Each system requires dynamic balancing and integration. In
addition, the interdependencies and interactions between each system
and between the urban ecosystem as a whole and other ecosystems
need to be understood. Unhealthy urban ecosystems can lead to local
and wider environmental degradation, social problems, economic
decline, human health problems and further disconnection from nature.
Multidisciplinary in nature, urban ecosystem management requires a
composite of social, environmental, economic and decision making tools
and institutions that are flexible and can adapt quickly to changes in one
or more systems.
The urban ecosystem approach encourages the alignment of cities to that
of natural ecosystems where resources, processes and products are used
more effectively, creating less waste, requiring less input and viewing by-
products as resources.
Multidisciplinary in nature, urban ecosystem management requires a
composite of social, environmental, economic and decision making tools
and institutions that are flexible and can adapt quickly to changes in one
or more systems.
The urban ecosystem approach encourages the alignment of cities to that
of natural ecosystems where resources, processes and products are used
more effectively, creating less waste, requiring less input and viewing by-
products as resources.
Urbanization:
As countries industrialize, rapid growth and development are bound to
occur, mostly in cities and its surroundings leading to rise in population.
Greater impact is on the environment and ecology due to space
constraint and increase in population density. Therefore environmental
degeneration and loss of natural resources are the major consequences
of improper and unsustainable urbanization process.
Urbanization in India was mainly after independence, due to adoption of
mixed system of economy which gave rise to the development of private
sector. Population residing in urban areas in India, according to:
1901 - 11.4%.
2001 - 28.53%
2011 35.65%
According to a survey by World Population Reports - by 2030, more than
50%of country's population is expected to reside in urban areas. As
per World Bank, India will lead world's urban population surge by 2050.
Urbanization:
As countries industrialize, rapid growth and development are bound to
occur, mostly in cities and its surroundings leading to rise in population.
Greater impact is on the environment and ecology due to space
constraint and increase in population density. Therefore environmental
degeneration and loss of natural resources are the major consequences
of improper and unsustainable urbanization process.
Urbanization in India was mainly after independence, due to adoption of
mixed system of economy which gave rise to the development of private
sector. Population residing in urban areas in India, according to:
1901 - 11.4%.
2001 - 28.53%
2011 35.65%
According to a survey by World Population Reports - by 2030, more than
50%of country's population is expected to reside in urban areas. As
per World Bank, India will lead world's urban population surge by 2050.
Problems of Urbanisation:
Rapid rise in urban population, in India, has caused many problems like
increasing slums, low standard of living and environmental degradation.
India's urban growth rate is 2.07% which is significant. India has more
than 300 million people living in metropolitan areas leading to increase in
slums, with so many people over crowding cities and forced to live in
unsafe conditions. Water, sanitation, housing, roads and electricity are
lacking adding to key environmental issues.
Carrying Capacity (CC):
It is important for every region to consider and understand its Carrying
Capacity before implementing any developmental programme. This will
not only give rise to balanced development but also sustain the growth
without compromising its natural resources and ecological assets.
Problems of Urbanisation:
Rapid rise in urban population, in India, has caused many problems like
increasing slums, low standard of living and environmental degradation.
India's urban growth rate is 2.07% which is significant. India has more
than 300 million people living in metropolitan areas leading to increase in
slums, with so many people over crowding cities and forced to live in
unsafe conditions. Water, sanitation, housing, roads and electricity are
lacking adding to key environmental issues.
Carrying Capacity (CC):
It is important for every region to consider and understand its Carrying
Capacity before implementing any developmental programme. This will
not only give rise to balanced development but also sustain the growth
without compromising its natural resources and ecological assets.
ECO-CITIES:
Eco-cities, also known as Sustainable Cities, are cities that are designed
to require minimal input from the rest of the world and to exert minimal
output on the world around them. In other words, sustainable cities
produce their own energy, food and water in a way that doesnt cause
detriment to the world in forms such as waste generation, water and air
pollution, traffic congestion, health and hygiene.
Some of the ways that Eco-cities manage to create this balance include
the following:
1. Cities are reduced in terms of their geographic area: They are built up
instead of sprawled out. This means that people dont travel extensively
throughout the city because everything they need is right there. This
reduces harm to the environment in many different ways.
2. Focused attention on sustainable landscaping throughout the city:
Based on concepts of xeriscaping and natural landscaping, the eco-cities
are designed to work hard to create a citywide landscape that makes the
most out of the natural area to reduce wastage of water and energy.
3. Use of renewable energy sources. It is increasingly common for
governments to consider the use of solar power, wind power and other
renewable power. Eco-cities are on the cutting edge of this important
green trend.
Some of the ways that Eco-cities manage to create this balance include
the following:
1. Cities are reduced in terms of their geographic area: They are built up
instead of sprawled out. This means that people dont travel extensively
throughout the city because everything they need is right there. This
reduces harm to the environment in many different ways.
2. Focused attention on sustainable landscaping throughout the city:
Based on concepts of xeriscaping and natural landscaping, the eco-cities
are designed to work hard to create a citywide landscape that makes the
most out of the natural area to reduce wastage of water and energy.
3. Use of renewable energy sources. It is increasingly common for
governments to consider the use of solar power, wind power and other
renewable power. Eco-cities are on the cutting edge of this important
green trend.
4. Strong incentives to avoid personal vehicles: Since the Eco-cities are
smaller, it is fairly easy to set up transport methods within them that
dont require personal vehicles and therefore air pollution is reduced.
Quality public transportation, community bike share programs and lots of
walking paths are means of doing this within Eco-cities.
Eco-cities are truly green cities, cities where politicians, agriculturists,
builders and residents are all equally concerned about living eco-friendly
lives. And these cities are starting to crop up all around the world as more
and more people become aware of the fact that we may not have much
of a world left if we dont start living with more attention to long-term
sustainability.
4. Strong incentives to avoid personal vehicles: Since the Eco-cities are
smaller, it is fairly easy to set up transport methods within them that
dont require personal vehicles and therefore air pollution is reduced.
Quality public transportation, community bike share programs and lots of
walking paths are means of doing this within Eco-cities.
Eco-cities are truly green cities, cities where politicians, agriculturists,
builders and residents are all equally concerned about living eco-friendly
lives. And these cities are starting to crop up all around the world as more
and more people become aware of the fact that we may not have much
of a world left if we dont start living with more attention to long-term
sustainability.
Some of the Eco-Cities examples are:
Treasure Island: This is a man-made island located in between San
Francisco and Oakland in California
Arcosanti: This city is located in Arizona in the United States of America
Masdar City: This city is located in Abu Dhabi in the growing Middle East
Waitakere City: This fifth largest city in New Zealand is also the first eco-
city to be built there.
Some of the Eco-Cities examples are:
Treasure Island: This is a man-made island located in between San
Francisco and Oakland in California
Arcosanti: This city is located in Arizona in the United States of America
Masdar City: This city is located in Abu Dhabi in the growing Middle East
Waitakere City: This fifth largest city in New Zealand is also the first eco-
city to be built there.
Principles of Eco-Cities
1. Restore Degraded Land
* Use urban development to restore health and vitality of the land.
* Rehabilitate and maximize ecological health and potential of land as a
consequence of the development of human settlement.
* Clean-up contaminated land
* Rebuild degraded areas
* Re-establish native vegetation
* Encourage farming practices which sustain ecological health
* Introduce green corridors of native vegetation
Principles of Eco-Cities
1. Restore Degraded Land
* Use urban development to restore health and vitality of the land.
* Rehabilitate and maximize ecological health and potential of land as a
consequence of the development of human settlement.
* Clean-up contaminated land
* Rebuild degraded areas
* Re-establish native vegetation
* Encourage farming practices which sustain ecological health
* Introduce green corridors of native vegetation
2. Fit the Bioregion
* Create human settlements which work with the natural cycles of the
region.
* Conform to the parameters of the bioregion, fit the landscape with the
patterns of development which follow the inherent form and limitations
of the land, understood in socio-biophysical terms.
* Maintain the natural cycles of water and nutrients in the landscape
* Create buildings and urban form that fit the landscape and respond to
the climate
* Conserve water and recycle waste water & effluents
* Use locally produced building materials as much as possible
* Respond to the culture of the region re-habitation
2. Fit the Bioregion
* Create human settlements which work with the natural cycles of the
region.
* Conform to the parameters of the bioregion, fit the landscape with the
patterns of development which follow the inherent form and limitations
of the land, understood in socio-biophysical terms.
* Maintain the natural cycles of water and nutrients in the landscape
* Create buildings and urban form that fit the landscape and respond to
the climate
* Conserve water and recycle waste water & effluents
* Use locally produced building materials as much as possible
* Respond to the culture of the region re-habitation
3. Balance Development:
* Balance development with the carrying capacity of the land.
* Balance the intensity of development against the ecological carrying
capacity of the land whilst protecting all viable existing ecological
features.
* Develop and enhance links between urban and rural areas of an
integrated city-region approach.
* Reduce the impact of the city on the land beyond its boundaries (the
ecological footprint)
* Encourage the diversity of land-use: residential, commercial,
recreational, educational, etc
* Develop urban food producing gardens
* Recognize the place of all living organisms in the environment urban
design for non-human species
3. Balance Development:
* Balance development with the carrying capacity of the land.
* Balance the intensity of development against the ecological carrying
capacity of the land whilst protecting all viable existing ecological
features.
* Develop and enhance links between urban and rural areas of an
integrated city-region approach.
* Reduce the impact of the city on the land beyond its boundaries (the
ecological footprint)
* Encourage the diversity of land-use: residential, commercial,
recreational, educational, etc
* Develop urban food producing gardens
* Recognize the place of all living organisms in the environment urban
design for non-human species
4. Create Compact Cities:
* Reverse sprawl and stop ad-hoc development from consuming the
landscape.
* Develop human habitation at relatively high density within inviolable
green belts of natural or restored ecologically viable landscape with the
overall development density constrained by ecological limits.
* Have clearly identifiable (but not hard) boundaries for urban areas
* Provide for most daily needs within the city
* Create walkable cities and promote non-motorised forms of transport
* Develop integrated transport networks which minimise car use
* Access by proximity
* 3-dimensional built form
4. Create Compact Cities:
* Reverse sprawl and stop ad-hoc development from consuming the
landscape.
* Develop human habitation at relatively high density within inviolable
green belts of natural or restored ecologically viable landscape with the
overall development density constrained by ecological limits.
* Have clearly identifiable (but not hard) boundaries for urban areas
* Provide for most daily needs within the city
* Create walkable cities and promote non-motorised forms of transport
* Develop integrated transport networks which minimise car use
* Access by proximity
* 3-dimensional built form
5. Optimise Energy Performance:
* Generate and use energy efficiently.
* Operate at low levels of energy consumption, using renewable energy
resources, local energy production and techniques of resource reuse. All
ecological development should seek to be energy self-sufficient. The
primary energy base for development should come from renewable
sources.
* Minimise energy consumption
* Use renewable energy of solar and wind power
* Generate power locally
* Reduce fossil fuel consumption
* No nuclear power
* Design buildings with solar access and natural ventilation
* Use effective insulation and thermal mass in buildings
* Climate responsive design materials
5. Optimise Energy Performance:
* Generate and use energy efficiently.
* Operate at low levels of energy consumption, using renewable energy
resources, local energy production and techniques of resource reuse. All
ecological development should seek to be energy self-sufficient. The
primary energy base for development should come from renewable
sources.
* Minimise energy consumption
* Use renewable energy of solar and wind power
* Generate power locally
* Reduce fossil fuel consumption
* No nuclear power
* Design buildings with solar access and natural ventilation
* Use effective insulation and thermal mass in buildings
* Climate responsive design materials
6. Contribute to the Economy:
* Create work opportunities and promote economic activity.
* Support and develop ecologically and socially responsible economic
activity. Materials and component manufacture should be derived from,
or be located in the local bioregion to the maximum practicable extent.
* Finance for ecological development from ethical sources, exclude
financial support derived from exploitative activity. Capital input to
ecological development should be local and financial structures should
ensure that ownership and control ultimately rests with the users and
inhabitants of the development.
* Develop ecologically responsible industries
* Develop exportable green technologies and services
* Create appropriate information technologies
* Provide incentives for innovation and enterprise linked to ecologically
responsible performance
6. Contribute to the Economy:
* Create work opportunities and promote economic activity.
* Support and develop ecologically and socially responsible economic
activity. Materials and component manufacture should be derived from,
or be located in the local bioregion to the maximum practicable extent.
* Finance for ecological development from ethical sources, exclude
financial support derived from exploitative activity. Capital input to
ecological development should be local and financial structures should
ensure that ownership and control ultimately rests with the users and
inhabitants of the development.
* Develop ecologically responsible industries
* Develop exportable green technologies and services
* Create appropriate information technologies
* Provide incentives for innovation and enterprise linked to ecologically
responsible performance
7. Provide Health and Security:
* Create healthy and safe environments for all people.
* Employ appropriate materials and spatial organisation to create safe
and healthy places for people to live, work and play in the context of an
ecologically resilient environment.
* Reduce pollution and promote environmental quality
* Ensure a safe water supply, recycle effluent, maintain clean air
* Provide food security urban agriculture & vertical farming
* Provide habitat for animals and birds (Urban Biodiversity)
7. Provide Health and Security:
* Create healthy and safe environments for all people.
* Employ appropriate materials and spatial organisation to create safe
and healthy places for people to live, work and play in the context of an
ecologically resilient environment.
* Reduce pollution and promote environmental quality
* Ensure a safe water supply, recycle effluent, maintain clean air
* Provide food security urban agriculture & vertical farming
* Provide habitat for animals and birds (Urban Biodiversity)
8. Encourage Community:
* Cities are for everyone.
* Create cities with strong citizen involvement community
participation, not just consultation. The community should govern itself.
* Community needs must drive ecological development. Ecological
development must meet community requirements including the
community of life that is the ecosystem.
* Create development as a community driven process
* Ensure community involvement in public administration and
management
* Provide community facilities
8. Encourage Community:
* Cities are for everyone.
* Create cities with strong citizen involvement community
participation, not just consultation. The community should govern itself.
* Community needs must drive ecological development. Ecological
development must meet community requirements including the
community of life that is the ecosystem.
* Create development as a community driven process
* Ensure community involvement in public administration and
management
* Provide community facilities
9. Promote Social Justice and Equity:
* Equal rights and access to services, facilities and information.
* Employ economic and management structures which embody
principles of social justice and equity.
* Ensure equal rights and access to essential services, facilities and
information.
* Alleviate poverty and create work opportunities.
* Involve all levels of the community in development processes
* Provide affordable housing
* Public use of public space
* Direct democracy
9. Promote Social Justice and Equity:
* Equal rights and access to services, facilities and information.
* Employ economic and management structures which embody
principles of social justice and equity.
* Ensure equal rights and access to essential services, facilities and
information.
* Alleviate poverty and create work opportunities.
* Involve all levels of the community in development processes
* Provide affordable housing
* Public use of public space
* Direct democracy
10. Enrich History and Culture:
* Respecting the past whilst looking to the future.
* Maximise the value of previous worthwhile human endeavour in terms
of both heritage and manufactured artifacts.
* Restore and maintain cherished local monuments and landmarks
* Identify and celebrate the spirit of place
* Celebrate and encourage cultural diversity
* Respect indigenous peoples inhabitation of the land
* Diverse cultural and social groups provide the basis for socially vital
cities
* Support and promote cultural diversity, incorporating ecological
awareness into all aspects of the making and maintenance of human
settlement.
* Art and craft should be integral to both the construction and the
operation of ecological development from the individual site to the city
and its region.
* The whole process of creating ecological development and its
subsequent operation requires education and skill development.
10. Enrich History and Culture:
* Respecting the past whilst looking to the future.
* Maximise the value of previous worthwhile human endeavour in terms
of both heritage and manufactured artifacts.
* Restore and maintain cherished local monuments and landmarks
* Identify and celebrate the spirit of place
* Celebrate and encourage cultural diversity
* Respect indigenous peoples inhabitation of the land
* Diverse cultural and social groups provide the basis for socially vital
cities
* Support and promote cultural diversity, incorporating ecological
awareness into all aspects of the making and maintenance of human
settlement.
* Art and craft should be integral to both the construction and the
operation of ecological development from the individual site to the city
and its region.
* The whole process of creating ecological development and its
subsequent operation requires education and skill development.
* Develop culture by involving all aspects of the arts including music,
electronic media and technology
* Develop culture by integrating the arts and sciences with both daily life
and special events and occasions
* Promote ecological awareness as part of cultural development
*Support community art and craft events, fairs, ftes and functions and
develop festivities and events which relate to the locality
* Encourage multicultural art and festivities
Spaces should be created for cultural expressions, such as music,
amateur theater, and the arts.
* Develop culture by involving all aspects of the arts including music,
electronic media and technology
* Develop culture by integrating the arts and sciences with both daily life
and special events and occasions
* Promote ecological awareness as part of cultural development
*Support community art and craft events, fairs, ftes and functions and
develop festivities and events which relate to the locality
* Encourage multicultural art and festivities
Spaces should be created for cultural expressions, such as music,
amateur theater, and the arts.
URBAN ECOSYSTEMS NEED TO BE COMPREHENSIVELY
MANAGED & SUSTAINED IF HUMAN BEINGS NEED TO LIVE A
BETTER LIFE ON THIS PLANET
THE ONLY WAY FORWARD IS TO BUILD ECO-CITIES IN
FUTURE AND REDESIGN EXISTING CITIES / URBAN AREAS
URBAN ECOSYSTEMS NEED TO BE COMPREHENSIVELY
MANAGED & SUSTAINED IF HUMAN BEINGS NEED TO LIVE A
BETTER LIFE ON THIS PLANET
THE ONLY WAY FORWARD IS TO BUILD ECO-CITIES IN
FUTURE AND REDESIGN EXISTING CITIES / URBAN AREAS