2022 Honors Human Geography: City Sustainability

the city becomes an urban heat island, a mass of warm air generated by urban building materials + human activities

What is the result of this excess use of concrete?

on a "human scale" instead of a scale that requires a car to get from place to place

What type of scale should these new developments be on + why?

functional + geographic fragmentation of governments

Who works to fix these urban problems?

they have so much concrete. the hard surface repels the water but retains heat

Why are cities prone to heat waves + flooding?

due to previous industrial or commercial uses w/ known or suspected pollution

Why would a Brownfield land be considered "contaminated"

more large-scaled public transportation, less use of personal vehicles, increased infrastructure for electric vehicles (charging stations)

With the increased use and change to electric "necessities" (like cars), what might potentially happen?

no

Do all levels of government have the same priorities or solutions to these urban problems?

air pollution

How might one urban area's problem affect areas outside their immediate location?

has offered grants to redevelop Brownfield areas

The federal government...

increased housings costs, possible de facto segregation + the potential loss of historical or place character

These potentially sustainable ideas can also lead to what?

prevent climate change, will become eventually cheaper

What are some benefits of switching over to electric vehicles?

suburban sprawl, sanitation, climate change, air + water quality, the large ecological footprint of cities, + energy use

What are some challenges to urban sustainability?

reduction of sprawl, improved walkability + transportation, + promotion os sustainable options

What are some ideas that have been presented to improve urban sustainability?

factories, gas stations, landfills, + dry cleaning businesses

What common businesses can leave harsh chemicals in the ground?

they have less tree coverage + more paved areas that absorb + radiate heat

What has happened to formerly redlined areas?

Houston, TX, b/c the concrete prevents water from draining effectively + the city's density makes natural disasters even more dangerous

What is one example of a city who is considered an urban heat island?

Brownfield land

any previously developed land not currently in use that may be potentially contaminated

new urbanism

urban design movement which promotes walkable neighborhood containing a range of housing + job types