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The State of Our Cities

Urbanization has reshaped the global landscape, with more than half of the world's population now living in urban areas. While cities offer opportunities for economic prosperity and social progress, they also face myriad challenges. In the mid-to-late twentieth century, as industrialization and urbanization accelerated, the pressure on the ecological environment and the carrying capacity of resources resulting from economic development, population growth, and urbanized agglomeration gradually emerged. This triggered a prolonged global debate on “sustained growth” and “rational, sustainable and balanced development”. Urban sprawl, congestion, pollution, inadequate infrastructure and social disparities are among the pressing issues facing cities today. In addition, the impacts of climate change, including rising temperatures, extreme weather events and rising sea levels, pose an additional threat to the resilience and sustainability of cities.(Festus et al., 2020)

Sustainable city definition

According to Heinberg (2010), there are five axioms for sustainable development: 1. Any society that continues to consume critical non-renewable resources will collapse. 2. Population growth is unsustainable. 3. To achieve sustainability, renewable resources must be used at a rate lower than the natural rate of replenishment. 4. Non-renewable resources must be used at a declining rate. 5. Sustainability requires the minimisation of materials introduced into the environment by human activities.

Sustainable urban development involves an approach to urban planning and governance that aims to balance economic growth, environmental protection and social equity. In essence, sustainability means meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. One of the United Nations' goals (2023) is to transform cities and human settlements into inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable urban complexes.

Strategies for Sustainable Urban Development

Achieving sustainable urban development requires coordinated efforts across multiple sectors and scales.Deakin & Reid's 2014 study shows that a more sophisticated approach to evaluating whether planning, real estate development programs, and the design and construction of infrastructure projects (serving energy, water supply and drainage, and transportation) are delivering the environmental capacity needed for urban development to sustain the future of the city is an important element of a sustainable urban development strategies are important factors. In addition, key strategies include:

1. integrated land use planning: by promoting compact mixed-use development patterns and preserving green space, cities can reduce sprawl, minimize resource consumption, and improve livability.

2. Promoting renewable energy and resource efficiency: Transitioning to renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency in buildings and transportation, and implementing circular economy principles can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and decrease ecological footprints.

3. Investing in sustainable infrastructure: Investing in resilient infrastructure, including public transportation, water management systems and green infrastructure, is critical to enhancing urban mobility, water security and climate resilience. (Parham, 1996)

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Dear fellow citizens.

We are living in a gradually deteriorating polluted environment. Suffocating smog in the air, deafening car horns, this is the reality we face every day in the steel jungle. As city dwellers, the air we breathe is taken over by waste, highways are clogged with traffic, and natural resources are being plundered at an alarming rate.

But, despite the chaos of the status quo, we can never give up hope. We, the citizens of this city, are the ones who have the most responsibility and obligation to step up - to change our city, we have to build a sustainable future for future generations.

It's time to stand up and demand action from our government, and we call for more systematic initiatives. Including, but not limited to, stricter vehicle emission standards; smarter traffic signal systems; more scientific sewage treatment systems.

More than that, change will also start with everyone. Let's embrace a culture of conscious consumption and choose reusable goods.

Join us in the fight for change. Sign our petitions, attend our rallies, spread the word.

In solidarity.

Environmental Defense Organization,

666-666-666

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妈妈 书里描述的蓝天

是否存在这世界

白天黑夜有什么区别

灰和黑更迭

怎对酸雨眷恋

诗人不再望天

这世界没了花瓣飘落的诗篇

烟雾笼罩谎言

欲望化作梦魇

城市的雕塑望眼欲穿对天边

老照片蓝天 仿佛闻得见这微甜

全世界是乐园

我用画笔临摹曾经起风的季节

却画不出明天

Mama, the blue skies in the book

Does it exist in this world?

What's the difference between day and night?

Gray and black

How can you be attached to acid rain?

When poets stop looking at the sky

The world has lost its petal-falling poems

Smoke covers the lies

Desire becomes nightmares

The city's sculptures look up to the sky

Old photographs of blue skies, as if they could smell the sweetness

The world was once a paradise

I've used my paintbrush to paint the season when the wind used to blow

But I can't paint tomorrow

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Short-Form Video Interview: Expert Insights on Sustainable Urban Development

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Short-Form Video Interview: Expert Insights on Sustainable Urban Development

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Reporter: Today we are honored to have an interview with a professional environmentalist who will share with us his views on sustainable cities.

Expert:Initiating, sustainable urban progress is undeniably the future's definitive path. As global urbanization quickens, pressing issues arise like worsening air quality, water scarcity, and soaring energy consumption. Sustainable cities emerge as a solution, prioritizing environmental preservation, social fairness, and economic growth. Their essence lies in efficient resource management and maintaining ecological equilibrium.

Reporter:What characteristics do you believe a sustainable city should possess?

Experts:Undoubtedly, sustainable cities stand out for their diverse attributes, with a key emphasis on recycling and efficient resource use to prevent over-exploitation. A central focus is placed on minimizing carbon emissions and adopting clean energy sources, directly enhancing air quality and alleviating environmental pressures.

Reporter: So what do you think are the key players in realizing a sustainable city?

Expert: Environmental preservation calls for a collective effort from all quarters: governments, businesses, non-profit organizations, and individuals. The government must establish enforceable environmental policies with incentives. Their leadership is in driving companies and citizens towards eco-friendliness. Businesses must assume their social obligations, abide by regulations, and recognize the necessity of environmental protection. Lastly, every resident must take immediate action, such as joining green initiatives and adopting energy-saving habits to minimize emissions.

Reporter:Heartily grateful for your sharing, enhancing our comprehension of sustainable urban development.

Expert:Thank you. The idea of sustainable development should be well-known to all. Let's collaborate to improve our city.

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Press Release: Advocating for Spongy Cities for a Disaster-Resistant Urban Future

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Press Release: Advocating for Spongy Cities for a Disaster-Resistant Urban Future

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Beijing/2024.5.10/Released Today

In recent years, With the aim of enhancing urban resilience and fostering sustainable city growth, the Beijing Municipal Government is actively championing the establishment of sponge cities, thereby initiating a groundbreaking paradigm shift in urban development strategies.

Sponge City is a nature-based urban design and construction concept that aims to mitigate urban flooding, improve the urban water environment and enhance the quality of urban landscapes through the effective use of rainwater resources. The concept advocates increasing the 'sponge' function of the city, i.e. enhancing the city's ability to naturally infiltrate, store and purify rainwater, thereby reducing the city's dependence on the external environment and improving the city's adaptive capacity and ecological quality.

The Beijing Municipal Government has proposed a series of key measures to implement sponge cities. These include promoting green buildings, improving the permeability of the urban surface, and reducing rainwater runoff. Building rainwater utilization systems to store and use rainwater for landscaping and agricultural irrigation. Enhance urban greening to increase the function of the city as a “green sponge”, absorbing rainwater, lowering temperatures, and improving air quality.

By building sponge cities, Beijing is expected to reduce the risk of urban flooding, improve the quality of the city's water environment, and enhance the city's ecological civilization by 2025. In the future, Beijing will continue to deepen the construction of sponge cities, explore innovative urban management models, and build a better future for the city that is disaster-resistant, livable and workable.

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IELTS Writing Topic: Many people believe that building sustainable cities does not require citizen participation, do you agree?

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IELTS Writing Topic: Many people believe that building sustainable cities does not require citizen participation, do you agree?

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In today's world, urbanization is accelerating, and the building of sustainable cities has become the focus of governments and urban planners. However, some people believe that the role that citizens can play in building sustainable cities is minimal. I do not agree with this view at all.

First of all, citizens are the foundation and core of the city, and their behaviors and decisions directly affect the direction and pace of the city's development. Without the active participation of the public, it will be difficult to truly realize the goal of a sustainable city even if the government and planners have introduced a series of sustainable development policies. For example, the government may have formulated policies on energy conservation and emission reduction, but if citizens do not consciously conserve water and reduce waste emissions, the effectiveness of these policies will be greatly reduced.

Secondly, it is difficult to promote a sustainable city without the efforts of its citizens. Sustainable development emphasizes the coordinated development of the economy, society and the environment, which requires citizens to fundamentally change their past lifestyles and consumption habits to a more environmentally friendly, frugal and low-carbon lifestyle. Only with the active participation of the public can a sustained social and cultural atmosphere be formed to promote the building of a sustainable city to take a solid step forward.

To summarize, I believe that citizen participation is absolutely necessary for building a sustainable city. Citizen participation is not only a necessary condition for building a sustainable city, but also one of its core concepts. The government and citizens should work together to build a better urban future.

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As the sun sets and the lights come on, the sustainable city of the future radiates a dazzling light. As the city's tour guide, Kobayashi leads a group of tourists through the green avenues.

“Welcome to our city, which is a model of sustainable development.” Kobayashi smiled as he introduced the tourists.

He first led the group to the city's central square, where a huge solar photovoltaic panel attracted the crowd's attention. “This is one of our city's main sources of energy, utilizing solar power to generate clean energy for the city.”

Kobayashi then took visitors on a tour of the city's green building complex. “These buildings use the most advanced energy-saving technologies and environmentally friendly materials, greatly reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions.”

Strolling through the city's streets, Kobayashi showed visitors the intelligent city management system. “Through IoT technology, we can monitor the city's energy consumption, traffic flow and other conditions in real time, providing data support for the city's operation and realizing intelligent and efficient city management.”

Walking into the city's parks, visitors marveled at the lush green trees and clear waters. “Our city focuses on ecological protection and greening, and strives to create a livable ecological environment so that citizens can enjoy the gifts of nature.”

At the end of the city, Kobayashi led the group to a modern renewable energy power plant. “This power plant utilizes a variety of renewable energy sources, including wind, water, and bioenergy, to provide the city with a steady supply of clean electricity.”

At the end of the day's tour, visitors expressed their admiration and desire for this sustainable city. “It's a vibrant and innovative city, and we want our own city to be on par with it.”

Kobayashi smiled at the visitors' joy and anticipation, his heart filled with pride. “This city, is our pride.”