Federal Regulations National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)-
mandates an environmental assessment of all projects involving
federal money or permits. Environmental impact statement (EIS)-
outlines the scope and purpose of the project. Environmental
mitigation plan- outlines how the developer will address concerns
raised by the projects impact on the environment.
Slide 2
Residential Land Suburban- areas surrounding metropolitan
centers with low population densities. Exurban- similar to suburban
areas, but are not connected to any central city or densely
populated area.
Slide 3
Slide 4
An Urbanized Worldmany urbanized settings are nearly
continuous
Slide 5
Case Study: Urbanization in the U.S. About 48% of Americans
live in consolidated metropolitan areas (bottom map). 8 of 10
Americans live in Urban areas. Figure 23-4
Slide 6
Urban Sprawl Urban sprawl- the creation of urbanized areas that
spread into rural areas. The four main concerns of urban sprawl in
the U.S. are: automobiles and highway construction living costs
(people can get more land and a larger house in the suburbs for the
same amount of money) urban blight (city revenue shrinks as people
move to the suburbs) government policies
Slide 7
Urban Sprawl As they grow and sprawl outward, urban areas merge
to form megalopolis. Bowash runs from Boston, Massachusetts to
Washington, D.C. Figure 23-7
Slide 8
URBANIZATION AND URBAN GROWTH People move to cities because
push factors force them out of rural areas and pull factors give
them the hope of finding jobs and a better life in the city. Urban
populations are growing rapidly and many cities in developing
countries have become centers of poverty.
Slide 9
Major Urban Areas of the World Satellite images of the earth at
night showing city lights. Currently, 49% of the worlds population
live in urban areas (2% of earths land area). Figure 23-2
Slide 10
URBAN RESOURCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS Urban areas can offer
more job opportunities and better education and health, and can
help protect biodiversity by concentrating people.
Slide 11
URBAN RESOURCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS Cities are rarely
self-sustaining, can threaten biodiversity, lack trees, concentrate
pollutants and noise, spread infectious diseases, and are centers
of poverty crime, and terrorism. Figure 23-3
Slide 12
Cluster Development High density housing units are concentrated
on one portion of a parcel with the rest of the land used for
commonly shared open space. Figure 23-17
Slide 13
Cities as Systems Urban settings can be analyzed as systems.
They are unlike any natural system in their density of population
and scale of cycling & consumption. Modern mega- cities pose
unique problems for environment.
Slide 14
Heat Budget of Urban Heat Island
Slide 15
City placement & the Fall Line The fall line marks the area
where the upland region of the Piedmont meets the Atlantic Coastal
Plain. The fall line is typically prominent where a river crosses
it, for there will usually be rapids or waterfalls.
Slide 16
Slide 17
Government Policies Highway Trust Fund- a federal gasoline tax
to pay for construction and maintenance of roads and highways.
Zoning- a planning tool to create quieter and safer communities.
For example, prohibiting the development of a factory or strip mall
in a residential area. Multi-use zoning- allows retail and
high-density residential development to coexist in the same area.
Subsidized mortgages- low interest rates offered to people to
purchase a home that would otherwise not be able to do so.
Slide 18
Smart Growth Mixed land uses create a range of housing
opportunities and choices create walkable neighborhoods encourage
community and stakeholder collaboration in development decisions
take advantage of compact building design Foster distinctive,
attractive communities with a strong sense of place Preserve open
space, farmland, natural beauty and critical environmental areas
Provide a variety of transportation choices Strengthen and direct
development toward existing communities Make development decisions
predictable, fair and cost- effective
http://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/category /new-york/
Slide 19
The Ecocity Concept Principles of sustainability: Build cities
for people not cars. Use renewable energy resources. Use
solar-power living machines and wetlands for waste water treatment.
Depend largely on recycled water. Use energy and matter
efficiently. Prevent pollution and reduce waste. Reuse and recycle
at least 60% of municipal solid waste.
Slide 20
The Ecocity Concept Protect biodiversity by preserving,
protecting, and restoring surrounding natural areas. Promote urban
gardens and farmers markets. Build communities that promote
cultural and economic diversity. Use zoning and other tools to keep
the human population and environmentally sustainable levels.