What is a sustainable city? There is no accepted definition of a sustainable
city (though two examples
are given here), but quality of life issues are central. Some cities
have been developing their own sustainability indicators, to try and measure
quality of life issues in a meaningful way. This has usually been done
as a result of Local Agenda 21 consultations or in response to national
government guidelines.The Learning for Sustainable Cities project, comprising
people involved in education and development from six different cities
(three North, three South) in five different continents, worked together
to identify some of the features of a sustainable city. Some are listed
below:
Sustainable cities:
Have functioning infrastructures
Need people with vision
Are responsive to the needs of the people
Are part of a wider sustainable context
Address alternatives from a wider perspective
Require active citizenship and good governance
Have the capacity to identify problems and produce concrete solutions
Listen to children, older people, minorities
Deal with their garbage
Recycle/regenerate themselves
Are based on citizens sense of ownership and responsibility
Are convivial - enjoyable and fun places to live and visit.
Learning for Sustainable Cities Project, c/o Manchester Development
Education Project, 2001
At our 2003 'Urban Voices, Future Choices' conference, participants felt
that the following issues were missing from this list:
Power relations and ideology - participation in the local and global.
Inequality: structures - place of black and Southern people.
Economic vibrancy: are basic needs being addressed?
Health needs and education.
Responsible utilisation of resources.
Consider needs of those who don’t have citizenship.
