Sustainable Environment Essay

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SUSTAINABILITY ‘The earth provides enough for everyman’s needs but not for everyman’s greed.’ M K Gandhi The linkage between environment and development was first made in 1980, when the World Conservation Strategy coined the term ‘Sustainable development.’ The 1987 report of the Brundtland Commission — formally gave the definition of sustainable development as: ‘The development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of the future generations to meet their own needs.’ Sustainable urbanism encompasses three aspects: environment conservations, social equity and economic viability. Like a tripod, the omission of any of the three ‘legs’ supporting a plan would unbalance a neighbourhood and affect its long term …show more content…

A sustainable lifestyle has to deal with overall context and not just the buildings. Innovation is necessary on many fronts out of which some are mentioned below in order to achieve sustainable growth. Bukit Panjang, Bukit Panjang Singapore & Zone F , Medini, Malaysia were tested for these indictors of sustainable neighbourhood. 1. COMPACTNESS AND DENSITY Density induces a sense of community and security. Bukit Panjang is area of 94 ha with low density of 369 per Ha. In case of low density, the zone not only lacks the sense of community but also supposedly suffers from urban heat island effect. Zone F is about of area 167.5 ha with density of 554 per ha. Though dense, it is a new private residential zone focussing on secluded development than a community …show more content…

CONNECTIVITY Public transportation systems of bus and train combined with pedestrian and bicycle access must take preference over private motor transport. MRT/LRT integration reduces differentiation between the regional centres and the city centre, making it possible to transfer some high level tertiary activities in these new regional nodes. Bukit Panjang comprises of buses, light rail transit system and is quite efficient for the subzone but it will also have a new MRT line which is not at all required. Even with such good public transport system, it still seems difficult to refrain population from its desire for cars. All the dwellings exit with surface parking, basement or multilevel parking. In some cases, parking facility covers more land than the residential units. Zone F, Medini is a car dominated zone with no provision of public transport. Networks of walkways and bicycle lanes improve mobility and the accessibility of homes and amenities within neighbourhood, while promoting sustainable and affordable transport. A sustainable layout enables people to walk rather than be forced to use a car. In both cases, because of lack of commercial activities, no life exit at street except movement. Streets comprise of unused greens, uncovered monotonous pathways, car and bus lanes. Not even bike lanes have been

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