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In order to ensure that human settlements are prepared to deal with the risks posed by climate change and severe events, spatial planning is an essential instrument. It's no surprise that many national climate adaptation plans also include spatial projects and initiatives as a key component.

Urban Planning should include the concepts and various perspective related to environment, social, and economical entities. These three are the game changer for any city and they are interlinked with one another at a much deeper level.

What is Urban planning? 

  It is the process of incorporating science and art together in order to use the land and design architectures on it or design the land itself which results in incorporating air, water, waste, and infrastructure together. Urban planning aims towards a better economy, easy convenience, and sustainability. The infrastructures built is for the public in fields of - welfare, safety, and health. 

What happened before urban planning? 

  Houses were built before a proper water resource was established. Roads were to be built in-between buildings which gave poor eyesight to traffic. Proper drainage system was not constructed. Factories and industries were built in residential areas and the waste was dumped nearby without filter, which is not only hazardous for the environment but also for humans. 

Why is Urban planning important?

  An organized and well-designed plan is required for any entity to function properly. Imagine, a city full of people building houses, industries, hospitals, and schools anywhere and everywhere without proper infrastructure planning. Traffic is everywhere due to unplanned roads that leads to congestions. Difficulty in breathing due to rotting smell of waste and garbage, not to mention the medical wastes and industrial wastes which is harmful to all living beings. 

   Any badly planned city will definitely face traffic congestions, unaffordable housing, and will have to face the harsh climatic changes, flood and drought, etc. When proper nutrition is not provided, you do not grow. Similarly, inadequate plan hinders the overall growth of the people and its economy.  

Tips for Urban Planners

  Anybody is welcome to learn the tips for urban planning - 

Creating designs for Tomorrow - An urban planner should create designs based on the future and not just today. This tip falls in all the categories - your new plan to build a city from scratch, adding new neighborhoods or amenities to an existing plan for the city. 

  Comfort levels, need constantly change. Environmental, economical, or social entities that will shape the future has to be identified and accommodate them in the plan to provide adequate space for needs and new opportunities. 

Consider weather - Climate changes are happening all across the globe. A place today with minimal rainfall might become a place with heavy rainfall in a few years. Microclimatic factors of weather such as wind, rain have to be taken into account to plan the city-wide drainage system, for building weather resistant infrastructures.

While focusing on becoming a sustainable city, the aspects of reducing cost, developing a diverse pool of culture for the citizens, and attaining sustainability worldwide should also be at the forefront.

These are a few of the important aspects a sustainable city should have or should consider in becoming one!

What does it mean by a Sustainable City?

  A city that has been designed to address and resolve environmental issues, economic problems, social chaos or matters with the help of urban planning and management is known to be a sustainable city.

   While focusing on becoming a sustainable city, the aspects of reducing cost, developing a diverse pool of culture for the citizens, and attaining sustainability worldwide should also be at the forefront. 

  If you are worried about how to achieve sustainability, the answer is always to start small. Using bike lanes, walking for smaller distances, car-pooling for travelling, developing eco-friendly architectures, more public areas, green spaces, aiming towards net-zero footprint. 

How to identify a sustainable city? 

  The following points will help you more about how a sustainable city is or what all to do in helping your city become sustainable in the near future - 

Conservation of water - Water management and conservation are some of the main characteristics that identify a city as a sustainable city. It is a practice by which water is used efficiently thereby reducing unnecessary wastage by managing natural resources, maintaining current and future demand for water.  Rainwater harvesting is one method to conserve water.

Green spaces - Public green spaces should be one of the aspects to promote sustainability by creating greenways, street trees, parks, protected areas, etc. Food problems - such challenges can be solved by building community gardens and farms. By incorporating green infrastructure cities can control pollution, promote public health, etc. 

Public resources should be accessible - It is all about sharing the resources with all by adopting equal opportunity and accessibility. Resource centres such as public health infrastructures, technical hubs, etc that will promote and stimulate public health, safety, and help them grow economically. Cultural centres and museums can help as recreational facilities and provide a diverse definition to the city. 

Waste management - Rather than filing up landfills, one after another. The waste can be a good source of manure for the plants. It is a simple step of recycling the materials we consider as waste. Composting can help the plants receive organic fertilizers rather than chemical ones. There are other methods to convert the waste into energy by trapping the fly ash burned and then converting it to energy. 

Sustainable architecture and buildings - The buildings contribute to almost 1/3rd of the greenhouse gas emissions. When buildings are developed or built with - green roofs, solar panels, efficient insulation, more ventilation, eco-friendly building materials, smart cooling and heating systems such as HVAC systems - the buildings require less maintenance and consume less energy which further contributes to the generation of cheaper electricity bill. 

Public transportation - Imagine a vehicle for every individual. Can you imagine the amount of sound pollution, air pollution it will create? Vehicles are responsible for more than 2/3rd of the total carbon monoxide pollution. Public transport such as Metro, underground railways, buses, carpooling, etc that are cost-efficient and easily accessible by the public for their daily commutes contributes to the development of the city sustainably. 

Building a sustainable architecture is not an impossible task. Any experienced professional i.e., a professional architecture firm will understand the important of a sustainable living and use a fair amount of eco-friendly building materials to develop a plan and build a building.

Building a sustainable architecture is not an impossible task. Any experienced professional i.e., a professional architecture firm will understand the important of a sustainable living and use a fair amount of eco-friendly building materials to develop a plan and build a building.

Sustainable architecture is a method where designs are developed to reduce the negative impact of the buildings on the environment. The architects study the landscape or the site, consider energy management, stormwater management, use environment-friendly materials and create a plan which is environment friendly and promotes sustainable living. 

  In simple terms, Sustainable architecture is the art and science of building that develops an interacting environment where inhabitants can continue living a remarkable, happy, healthy, and luxurious life. 

Sustainability should not be confused with going all green. Green buildings help in reducing the footprint it leaves on the environment whereas sustainability reduces the impact of various products on the environment 

 What are the various elements and aspects of sustainable architecture? 

Energy-efficient appliances for lighting and other electrical usage

 Door and window placement to encourage natural airflow and light

Rainwater harvesting and water reuse

Rooftop plantation 

Incorporating renewable energy 

Using eco-friendly building material

Building orientation

How do architects develop sustainable buildings?

While choosing the appliances, consult with electrical and mechanical engineers to understand the impact of appliances on the environment. This is what architects do and implement energy-efficient HVAC systems along with other system appliances to reduce footprint and impact on the environment.

A sustainable architecture will always include a renewable energy source or system which is proven to reduce the cost of energy bills and do less harm the environment.

The architects use building materials such as steel, concrete, carpets, any furnishing materials from the companies that use methodologies and techniques of sustainability.

The sustainable architecture yet to be built or already built largely depends on the landscape or the site. The architects with the designers build the plan to minimally harm the vegetation there and also include plans such as roof planting systems or green roofs to balance the loss.

Using elements of nature to its advantage and developing a plan where the natural resources such as wind direction, sun, climate etc can be well utilized. Natural ventilation and natural light reduces the energy consumption by a large scale. 

Using thermal mass method buildings naturally absorb sunlight during the day and release it in the building during night, this technique and material of the building can be combined in cold regions of the world to build a sustainable architecture.

Sustainable architecture involves building materials which are renewable, non toxic, recyclable or reusable, locally sourced to reduce transportation - which reduces noise and air pollution. For instance, you can choose solar panels to draw electricity for your home, rainwater harvesting to store excess water, etc

Public space is defined as - an area that is accessible and open for the public such as parks, beaches, pavements, roads, malls, etc. Public space is an important part of our lives. It helps us engage with the people and other communities, share our culture, and encourage participation in being socially responsible. 

Why is public space a need for the day?

Diversity - City has numerous groups of people from diverse cultures.  Tourists contribute to the growth of a city culturally as well. Installation of art and architecture teaches the community about the culture of a specific region of a specific tribe. The monumental installation complements the city as well as adds to the history of the city currently undergoing. All these encourage people to engage with one another more and interact which in turn leads to the creation of a socially responsible community.  

Transformation - public spaces can transform a wasteland into something meaningful and creative. For instance, when architects transform a dull-dried lake into a spacious park filled with plants and trees for people, the space turns into a beautiful yet excellent public space for the people to hang around. The newly transformed space is not only appealing to the eye but helps the community at large. 

Growth - The growth of a city can be determined by the economic statistics it has and also by the amenities it has to provide to the people. Malls are a great example of public spaces. The malls bring in more traffic than individual stores across the city. Being accumulated under a single roof, visitors tend to spend more time in the malls and hence purchase goods in one go. These malls contribute to the economic growth of a city at large. 

Public spaces always encourage people to come out and meet one another. This leads to people knowing more about another culture and becoming culturally educated. This is important for a community to thrive together. This makes the citizens morally responsible for how they behave and react in certain places. Moreover, public space adds greenery to the area which is soothing to the eye. 

Public space helps in improving our health. The green plants and trees help in providing us with a clean environment to breathe in as well as having a relaxing and calming effect on us. For instance, a simple walk to the park removes our stress and calms ourselves, additionally, the walk helps us to be healthy and physically fit. 

Busy schedule - Most of us work in offices. Offices that are confined building structures. The purpose of public spaces is to feel free from all other worries and focus on ourselves by relaxing or exercising. 

Streets - More network grids mean easy travel. The more the number of routes, the less traffic - the easier it is for commuting. Streets designed for pedestrians, cyclists, drivers - both public and private, make it easier for the citizens and the people to travel long distances in a reduced span of time. 

Public space is defined as - an area that is accessible and open for the public such as parks, beaches, pavements, roads, malls, etc. Public space is an important part of our lives. It helps us engage with the people and other communities, share our culture, and encourage participation in being socially responsible.

These are a few of the important aspects a sustainable city should have or should consider in becoming one!

What does it mean by a Sustainable City?

  A city that has been designed to address and resolve environmental issues, economic problems, social chaos or matters with the help of urban planning and management is known to be a sustainable city.

   While focusing on becoming a sustainable city, the aspects of reducing cost, developing a diverse pool of culture for the citizens, and attaining sustainability worldwide should also be at the forefront. 

  If you are worried about how to achieve sustainability, the answer is always to start small. Using bike lanes, walking for smaller distances, car-pooling for travelling, developing eco-friendly architectures, more public areas, green spaces, aiming towards net-zero footprint. 

How to identify a sustainable city? 

  The following points will help you more about how a sustainable city is or what all to do in helping your city become sustainable in the near future - 

 Conservation of water - Water management and conservation are some of the main characteristics that identify a city as a sustainable city. It is a practice by which water is used efficiently thereby reducing unnecessary wastage by managing natural resources, maintaining current and future demand for water.  Rainwater harvesting is one method to conserve water.

Green spaces - Public green spaces should be one of the aspects to promote sustainability by creating greenways, street trees, parks, protected areas, etc. Food problems - such challenges can be solved by building community gardens and farms. By incorporating green infrastructure cities can control pollution, promote public health, etc. 

 Public resources should be accessible - It is all about sharing the resources with all by adopting equal opportunity and accessibility. Resource centres such as public health infrastructures, technical hubs, etc that will promote and stimulate public health, safety, and help them grow economically. Cultural centres and museums can help as recreational facilities and provide a diverse definition to the city. 

Waste management - Rather than filing up landfills, one after another. The waste can be a good source of manure for the plants. It is a simple step of recycling the materials we consider as waste. Composting can help the plants receive organic fertilizers rather than chemical ones. There are other methods to convert the waste into energy by trapping the fly ash burned and then converting it to energy. 

Sustainable architecture and buildings - The buildings contribute to almost 1/3rd of the greenhouse gas emissions. When buildings are developed or built with - green roofs, solar panels, efficient insulation, more ventilation, eco-friendly building materials, smart cooling and heating systems such as HVAC systems - the buildings require less maintenance and consume less energy which further contributes to the generation of cheaper electricity bill. 

Public transportation - Imagine a vehicle for every individual. Can you imagine the amount of sound pollution, air pollution it will create? Vehicles are responsible for more than 2/3rd of the total carbon monoxide pollution. Public transport such as Metro, underground railways, buses, carpooling, etc that are cost-efficient and easily accessible by the public for their daily commutes contributes to the development of the city sustainably. 

We have seen a mounting rise in climate activist groups in recent years. Statics showed that buildings and architectures contribute to more than 1/3rd of the global carbon emission approximately. Wondering how a simple mixture of bricks, cement, wood, etc responsible for the carbon emission?

Well, the combined category of “Landscape Architecture” release carbon dioxide when various types of equipment are used. Examples are - power generators using fossil fuels as input products, water heater storage, boilers and furnaces, etc. Indirect emissions such as using electricity produced by natural resources or fossil fuels from a power station. 

 While we are in the search of the perfect future home, we should consider the effects of our decision on landscape architecture. 

Understanding Landscape Architecture

  Landscape Architecture is a simple process to design outdoor and indoor environments by maintaining a balance between the two. It  caters to the following - Art, Environment, Architecture, Engineering. The designing work calls for creating an environment that suits the need of all. 

Why should you consider Landscape Architecture in order to achieve a sustainable living?

  Here is a glimpse and list of reasons why you should consider the aspect of landscape architecture in order to achieve sustainable living - 

 Outdoor or public spaces are the only available places for you to visit and enjoy. Any kind of park, beach, etc built in order for people to relax boosts well-being of the inhabitants.

Fresh air has always been therapeutic in nature. Especially in the time of pandemic where we all are binded to the screen in a new digital world, outdoor activity works like a magic. Landscape architecture helps build a sustainable-greener option for the world.

Nature has been known to improve the mental stability since a long time. It not only allows us to explore the unknown but has a soothing effect on our mind.

The building we stay in, shop at, dine in are made of concrete. The use of excessive concrete has resulted in increase in temperature by depleting the air quality. With the constant rise of CO2 emission in the environment, weather changes are becoming increasingly unpredictable.

Furnitures, fixtures, various other building materials release toxins in the air since ther is oxidization of heavy metals, release of fumes from home or factories. The release of toxic pollutants in the air is the primary reason for air pollution and contributes to Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions continuously. 

Here’s how the landscape architects help you in solving the above issues 

 The architects use phytoremediation technique to fight of any contaminations within the soil to revitalize and rejuvenate it. This method can be used in open spaces to grow plants. Indoor plants such as Cactus, Ferns, Aloe vera, etc to have toxin free indoor environment. 

  This approache stops the spread of toxins and speeds up the process of regeneration of the natural ecosystem.

Every building or architecture has a different need, different type of problem, different causes for contributing to the pollution - the architects study the causes and choose outdoor as well as indoor plants to create a cooling effect.

Rainwater harvesting is one approach that has gained increasing popularity around the globe. The architect uses the right design and equipment for buildings to store storm water and fight water scarcity.

A virtual landscape by creating small ecosystem in rooftop such as gardens and pocket parks which helps in providing a cooling effect as well as purify the air. 

For a traveler or someone on their vacation, If you are fond of landscape and architecture and excited about it, for a change you can visit destinations that need your help in rebuilding such as any devastated community.

In modern times, we have witnessed an exponential rise in the number of activists for the environment and sustainability, from amazon to australis, as the global climate crisis worsens. Carbon contributes to approximately 65%of the global greenhouse gas emissions. During the pandemic, the carbon emission has dropped by 7% in 2020 as compared to the previous year and this very figure tells us how important it is for us to choose sustainable living and travel.

 We all can add to the sustainability of a city in our own ways -

 1.     For a traveller or someone on their vacation, If you are fond of landscape and architecture and excited about it, for a change you can visit destinations that need your help in rebuilding such as any devastated community. It might take a few dollars from your wallet to contribute to the process but by volunteering, you are adding more value in the process of urban planning of the place.

 2.     If you are the host, such as a hotel or resort owner, you are more responsible to provide your guests with more sustainable living. Moving away from single-use plastics, using reusable bottles, cups, plates, and jars, recycling food waste as manure for the plants, encouraging outdoor activities such as sapling plant activity by the guests in their honour, etc.

3.     All of us can add more green spaces to our buildings such as by incorporating small plants into the interiors, as well as exteriors of our buildings such as homes, offices, schools, etc to contribute to the process of building a sustainable city. The greenery adds aesthetic design to the building, reduces the particulate matter concentration, acts as a noise insulator, etc.

4.     Choose to walk, pool with others, or avail public transport while going to work, shopping, etc. instead of taking individual transports for short-distance travel.

5.     Using access codes, smart locks, or keyless entry can rescue disposable plastic. It also ensures safety during the pandemic by reducing the risk of covid transmission. This not only ensures automation of entry and exit of customers but also security.

6.     Switching to biodegradable cutlery can be a huge step towards plastic reduction and waste disposal. There are ample brands that provide reusable bottles and water dispensers, as well as reusable packaging for use.

7.     Segregating the bins as biodegradable, recyclable, plastic will help in recycling and reusing the waste.

8.     HAVC systems are popular among hotels and resorts now as they not only customize the heating, cooling, airflow but also reduce energy consumption. Using LEDs, solar panels they are energy-efficient.

9.     Green roofs can be built on top of buildings. These are roofs covered with vegetation or plantations. The plants on the roof reduce noise, provide thermal insulation. The water easily is absorbed and drained from the plants during and after rain, thus reducing the sewage pressure. Rain water can be harvested easily for multiple purposes such as - watering other plants, washing utensils, washings vehicles, cleaning outdoor areas, etc using the filtration process.

The best articles regarding sustainable architecture may be found on the My Liveable City website. MLC delivers the most current information on sustainable architecture.

One of the many features of My Liveable City is spatial planning. The purpose of spatial planning is to plan social, economic, and ecological development in order to achieve certain goals, as well as to create plans, maps, or graphs that show where sociopolitical activities should take place.

Cities are becoming increasingly attractive as locations to call home. The Future Of Smart City is a hot topic right now. Electric motors, smart apps, and self-driving cars are all essential elements of a smart city since they lessen environmental effect. AI-controlled autos, trains, and flying taxis, as well as rental bikes, may be used to govern transportation in the Future Of Smart City.