This assignment focuses on understanding biodiversity awareness and community engagement in creating sustainable cities, addressing the core principles of resilience, conservation, and sustainability. It begins by examining two critical questions: What defines a sustainable city, and why is sustainability essential for urban areas, especially in the context of resilience to natural disasters such as biodiversity conservation and flood mitigation?
Phase One:
Students will select a precedent city and analyze its characteristics at a chosen scale (1:500/1:1000/1:1500). The study will document the city’s population, urban design patterns (e.g., pedestrian-oriented neighborhoods, streetcar suburbs, or automobile suburbs), density (high or low), land use (mixed or single use), and existing sustainable development strategies. This documentation, presented in the form of infographics, images, text, and photos with proper references, will highlight the city's baseline urban and sustainability context.
Phase Two:
A sustainable city from global rankings will then be studied as a comparative precedent, focusing on its theoretical and historical urban models. This phase will analyze how the sustainable practices of the chosen city can provide actionable insights for improving the sustainability of the Phase One city. Using tools such as the Eco-City framework, students will assess performance metrics and strategies to bridge the gap between the two cities. This phase will also require detailed documentation, incorporating visuals and textual data to illustrate connections and strategies.
Phase Three:
A comprehensive appraisal will compare the biodiversity awareness and community engagement strategies of the two cities, focusing on seven key aspects:
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Renewable Energy Sources: Examining energy strategies and sources for sustainability.
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Efficiency in Water and Electricity Use: Investigating resource management practices.
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Green Areas: Assessing existing green spaces and proposing increased urban greenery.
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Waste and Recycling Systems: Evaluating current systems and recommending improvements.
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Economic Sustainability: Analyzing growth, development, and productivity metrics.
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Social Sustainability: Exploring equity, empowerment, accessibility, cultural identity, and institutional stability.
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Environmental Sustainability: Addressing ecosystem integrity, biodiversity, and the city’s carrying capacity.
Through this analysis, students will provide recommendations to align the Phase One city with the goals of SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, promoting actionable strategies for enhanced biodiversity, community engagement, and resilience. The assignment will culminate in a detailed journal combining visual and textual data, offering a clear roadmap for transitioning towards sustainable urban development.