URBAN resilience is a key component of sustainable development since cities now face more risk of being negatively impacted by climate change. These impacts have direct effect on infrastructure, human lives, health, ecosystems and environmental quality, among others.
Urban areas are under enormous pressure as a result of being destinations of choice for a number of reasons ranging from the quality of life, improved communication, mobility, modern infrastructure, ongoing checks and balances and accountability. All these contribute to sustainability and urbanisation dividends, especially in developing countries.
Cities are on the frontline of the growing physical risks associated with climate change. Urban areas are often located in places of particular climate risks such as floodplains, coastlines, islands, high and low-lying areas. For example, flooded roads can damage links to public transport.
Urban areas as susceptible to climate change vagaries because of the huge influx of people who strain the available resources, materials and infrastructure, contributing to urban heat island effect and increased carbonisation. This then contributes to extreme weather events ranging from flooding and heat stress. It is against this background that this write-up explores aspects of carbonisation, while assessing the dividends of urbanisation in developing countries.
This discussion is deliberated in view of urban resilient aspects in terms of economic development, demographics, infrastructural development, housing, water, energy, transport, health delivery systems, food production and security and employment opportunities, because they contribute to sustainable development goals and sustainable human livelihoods, while also reeling under the impacts of climate change.
The transition from rural areas to urban areas in developing countries is not something new, but historical. During colonialism, many rural areas were desolate and neglected outposts of poverty and underdevelopment, hence the urban areas were the only visible and meaningful destinations of choice in terms of infrastructure, communication systems, industrialisation, healthy delivery systems, ecosystems preservation, power and energy among others.
All these and many others including road networks, quality education, shops with cheaper basic goods and services, including efficient transport systems, quality of food and orderly governance structures and rule of law, made urban areas appealing.
All these co-benefits can be better described as dividends or benefits of urban settlements. These urban dividends, due to enormous pressure culminated into various climate shocks and stresses especially more frequent urban flooding and greenhouse gas emissions, which urban dwellers and city planners should always brace for. Therefore, the built environment need to factor in resilience in planning and designing in order to mitigate the impacts of climate change, reduce concentrated carbon emissions and bring desired climate solutions. It is, therefore, against this background that urban planners should provide holistic knowledge for the designing of climate resilient and resource-efficient built-up environments.
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The construction sector is emission-intensive, contributing to greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and others. Therefore, climate-proofing should be at the centre of infrastructural development and sustainability. Construction cannot be separated from deforestation, land degradation, bush clearing, burning and expansion of settlements.
Land use changes are known drivers of environmental damage and climate change. They put pressure on the land through brick moulding, river and pit-sand abstraction, unlocking large quantities of carbon trapped underground. Through demolition of old buildings, the construction sector contributes to material waste which needs recycling and re-use.
Because urban areas are at the heart of climate action, they generate more than 60% of greenhouse gas emissions globally. Therefore, it is important for urban planners to factor in low carbon measures so that cities can have the capacity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from urban buildings, building materials, transport systems and related waste by a significant measure.
Relevant co-benefits like low carbon and resilient cities, with a focus on infrastructure, circularity, food, energy, water and mobility are key, instrumental and transformative.
This does not only protect the environment, fight climate change, but also contributes to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) outcomes.
SDGs play integrated roles with SDG13 (Climate Action) leading the way.
Unsustainable building practices contribute to greenhouse gas emissions affecting the following SDGs: SDG7 (affordable and clean energy); SDG8 (decent work and economic growth), for providing employment solutions; SDG9 (Innovation, industry and infrastructure), by encouraging industry and infrastructure development; SDG12 (responsible consumption and productivity), by promoting sustainable use of resources; SDG17 (partnerships for goals), by enabling technology diffusion and transfer to a developing country; and SDG11 (sustainable and communities), would bring sanity city reconstruction following all the environmental by-laws.
It is significant in this regard to harness sustainable expertise in addressing carbon dioxide emissions for urban areas to be able to reduce carbon footprints and create new business opportunities for urban dwellers. In this view, building innovations are what urban areas need to improve on existing practices and deliver on sustainable development.
- Peter Makwanya is a climate change communicator. He writes in his personal capacity and can be contacted on: [email protected].
