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Environmental effects of urbanization
Environmental effects of urbanization
Environmental effects of urbanization
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Within Canada, brownfield redevelopment is a vital component in creating sustainable communities because it supports present-day land realities through the utilization of current infrastructure, inclusion of new green technologies and greenfield conservation. Brownfields are known as a former industrial or commercial site where future use is affected by real or perceived environmental contamination. They include decommission refineries, former railway yards, crumbling warehouses, abandoned gas stations, and other commercial properties where toxic substances may have been used or stored (National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy, 1). In Canada today there are about 30’000 brownfield sites waiting to be redeveloped (Nat’l Rnd Tbl on the Env. and the Econ., 2). Through remediation, developers “seek to capitalize” on the current poor conditions (Hardisty, 242). This intensive process involves a great deal of research, technology and laborious methods to stop and reverse the sites environmental damage (Hardisty, 242). Nevertheless, once completed, brownfield redevelopment sites have numerous benefits that support sustainability. However, since it is unfeasible for a human economy to have no impacts on the environment, we will consider the model presented by the Worldwatch Institute (Worldwatch Institute, 6). Within their book, State of the World: Our Urban Future, sustainability can be seen as “improving public health and well-being, lowering its environmental impacts, increasingly recycling materials, and using energy with growing efficiency” (Worldwatch Institute, 6). Thus, sustainable cities are not fully sustainable, but having in mind the goal of sustainability. Brownfield redevelopment can help nurture this goal th... ... middle of paper ... ...e adverse effects on the earth’s environment. Conclusion In conclusion, brownfield redevelopment supports the continual goal of sustainability through utilization, incorporation, preservation and remediation. For instance, brownfield sites offer developers a chance to utilize the existing infrastructure, which lowers municipal costs. Additionally, developers can incorporate ancient and modern technologies that create more efficient buildings thus reducing energy use. Moreover, with opportunities to grow within cities, there is less pressure to develop greenfields. Furthermore, through the required process of remediation, environmental hazards are removed or prevented. Overall, brownfield redevelopment saves money, reduces energy usage, protects greenfields and removes critical dangers to the surrounding environment thus moving towards a more sustainable society.
The Alberta Oil Sands are large deposits of bitumen in north-eastern Alberta. Discovered in 1848, the first commercial operation was in 1967 with the Great Canadian Oil Sands plant opening, and today many companies have developments there. The Alberta Oil Sand development is very controversial, as there are severe environmental impacts and effects on the local Aboriginal peoples. This essay will discuss the need for changes that can be made for the maximum economic benefit for Canada, while reducing the impact on the environment and limiting expansion, as well as securing Alberta’s future. Changes need to be made to retain the maximum economic benefits of the Alberta Oil Sands while mitigating the environmental and geopolitical impact. This will be achieved by building pipelines that will increase the economic benefits, having stricter environmental regulation and expansion limitations, and improving the Alberta Heritage Fund or starting a new fund throu...
The face of the American landscape has undergone a period of fantastic change in recent decades. With an expanding population and innumerable opportunities for economic and physical growth, urban centers and sprawling suburbs have pushed farther and farther into outlying areas causing pressures and development on previously untouched, natural lands. New Jersey has become, in many ways, the focus in dealing with issues of sprawl and development within its relatively small space. The most densely populated state in the nation, New Jersey often acts as a predecessor in both having and dealing with issues of environmental concern and/or damage. Within the past ten years, the issue of urban/suburban "sprawl" has become an issue of much concern among professional and private citizens alike. Characterized by unplanned and unchecked growth outward from urban core areas, sprawl becomes such a concern as it has reshaped the face of the American environmental landscape by fragmenting wild habitats, overutilizing existing water resources, and building mile after mile of "McMansion" homes on very large tracts of land. The construction of this suburban landscape does not, however, come without a cost to the surrounding environment. To build homes with large areas of fenced in property, open space and natural areas must be tapped utilized to feed the strong market. While some would say that it is not the market fueling the various associations of homebuilders but instead the reverse reaction, neither this, nor the other is of significant concern when attempting to address the physical impacts that this sprawling "suburban-side" has on natural habitats.
Cleaning up and reinvesting in these properties protects the environment, reduces blight, and takes development pressures off green spaces. The EPA works with local governments and provides grants that help fund redevelopment strategies to brownfield sites. These redevelopment projects help transform these sites into something useful that will benefit the community and the environment while encouraging the reuse of land by developing sites that are documented as contaminated. The EPA is not biased when it comes to choosing a site for redevelopment. As long as the site is defined as a brownfield by a local, state, or national government agency, that site will be approved for protective measures (“Brownfields in Region
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (2005) defines mountaintop removal as “a mining practice where the tops of mountains are removed, exposing the seams of coal.” Coal companies throughout Appalachia adopted this process as a means of acquiring coal faster. People in support of mountaintop removal concentrate, not only on the cheap, plentiful energy which is produced, but also the supposed increase in safer occupation opportunities for miners. Such individuals also argue that flattened land provides space for airports, prisons, and shopping centers. However, mountaintop removal has serious consequences, which need to be revealed.
It aims to reduce the environmental impacts and government expenses caused by urban sprawl. By increasing housing density, homes built on ‘quarter acre’ blocks are subdivided to accommodate units in suburbs such as Pyrmont. (McIsaac, Trethewy, Zuylen., 2007, page 162)
Through past generations we have seen exemplifications of considerable innovation among city and municipal authorities in Canada regarding sustainable development. Due to Canada’s population density and the number of cities apart of it- I chose to study the sustainability of the city closest to my heart, my home, the City of Pickering. Sustainable development “is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”(Brundtland, 1987) The city of pickering is in the midst of a transformation from a suburban community to a sustainable city. “By 2031, the Region of Durham is expected to grow by 430,00 people and 160,000 jobs.” (Bodgan, 2007) It is estimated that Pickering
Kamloops has clear growth in cultural activities however, with expectations at riverside and new art activities such as (music in the park, Canada day, western Canada theater, and rib fest). The success of these sorts of activates are vital to the success of Kamloops, and that could be easily derailed if Kamloops sustainability is not taken seriously. Kamloops sustainability has is a largely impacted by the proposed Ajaxs mine, both environmental sustainability as well as sustaining the physical city. When deciding where to live many people would look at a project such as Ajaxs mine and decide against Kamloops this does not help the sustainability. This essay will discuss how the last chapters of “Happy City” and how they relate to the sustainability
For our group community assessment, we assessed the neighbourhood of Moss Park. Throughout our assessment at Moss Park, we noted many of the community’s characteristics including physical environment, resources available, strengths and weaknesses etc… Moss Park is a neighbourhood located in downtown Toronto, the area is mainly comprised of worn-out buildings and houses with a satisfactory number of resources including a public library, school, health care centers, pharmacies etc… During the assessment of this neighbourhood we noticed that the physical environment was contaminated with the presence of garbage on the streets and in residential areas. As we were walking through this area during our assessment, we noticed a strong smell of cigarette smoke in many areas on the streets and in some residential areas. We also observed many people smoking in the area which creates a harmful environment of second-hand smoke. Lastly, we noted th...
The evolution of land use patterns can determine many aspects of a given region. In the example of the Junction Triangle (JT) - a sector of Toronto that came into existence by industrial land use - there have been three major aspects affected by industrial land use: economic, social, and political (Knox, p444). Land use in the JT has neglected these three aspects of residential life - and thus, has compromised the quality of life (QOL) of the citizens - in exchange for industrial development.
The corporation or person buys the land to be “developed” in a few short weeks. In this time frame, everything becomes dirt. The land becomes a wasteland, because it is not longer topsoil that is rich with nutrients for plants to grow, but instead, it is the underlayer. There are no more trees, animals, or even grasses. The trees have most likely been sold to a paper factory. The animals have found residence in nearby places after their homes were destroyed. The grasses have no nutrients or topsoil to root themselves or seeds in. After this ground-breaking stage, the building is created, and then more business flood to the area. Overall, this means more deforestation. Houses are built in the “convenient” area. More people means more businesses want to come to an area. But what does this mean for the environment and people in
Goddard et al. elaborate on urban green spaces, with a particular emphasis on private gardens. The authors argue that urban green spaces promote biodiversity and also help to mitigate the negative impacts of urbanization. The text stresses that as urbanization increases, so does the importance of urban green space. According to the article, urban growth is occurring at a rapid rate and this is having detrimental impacts on biodiversity. Similar to ideas in William Cronon’s Uncommon ground: Rethinking the human place in nature, Goddard et al. discuss how living in a city might influence how an individual perceives nature. The authors state that city life might create a disconnection from the natural world. The text asserts that urban green spaces
A large number of low-income and minority families live in poor economic conditions. The economy is altered on account of multinational companies locating new facilities where land values and operation costs are low. Cheap lands are easily attained by polluting facilities because underprivileged communities are unable to effectively prevent such shortcomings. When companies locate their new facilities in these areas, property values decline and quality of life decreases (Mohai and Saha 2007: 345). Following this phenomenon is a decrease in the white and affluent populations of these areas. When property values decline, housing is made affordable, therefore, minorities and the poverty-stricken move in. This paradox commences the stages of environmental racism. Despite notable improvements in environmental inequalities, internationally, billions of people live in hazardous physical conditions. Furthermore, “These communities suffer both the physical and social consequences of housing discrimination, residential segregation, and...
Maintaining a balance between urban development and natural systems is essential to ensure that, for example, soils are still able to buffer potential contaminants or that ground stability is sustainable for buildings and infrastructure. The land in 1867 was mostly being used for agricultural as farming was key to the primary industry. In 1916 the residential business has increased rapidly as an increase in human activity has resulted in a need for new homes. Then in this present day the industrial industry took a rapid boost as machinery was needed to provide a safe, efficient transport link (hub) for civilians.
...eral development and deposits in ways that is not high in environmental impact or harm.
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) refers to a tool that assists in limiting the potential environmental damage of various developments that are undertaken in an area (Handley & Handley, 2001). Other researchers and scholars consider EIA as a key aspect of many large-scale planning applications; whereby, the EIA is used as the technique that help developers understand the potential environmental impacts of any major development proposal (Wathern, 1988). EIA entails information gathering practice that is carried out by both the developer and other relevant bodies to enable the Local Planning Authority appreciate the potential environmental effects of any form of development before giving directions on its commencement or stoppage (Dougherty & Hall, 1995; Wathern, 1988). Therefore, EIA can simply be described as the scientific and public consultation process that helps identify the potential impacts of any proposed project on the environment; that is, the biophysical component of the physical environment.