Urban Sustainability Revolution: Emerging Trends Shaping Green Cities of the Future
By Jane Marsh
If you live in a city, surely you’ve noticed how climate change, pollution and limited resources have presented unique challenges as urban centers face unprecedented environmental impacts. In response, cities have created comprehensive frameworks for greater resilience, tying sustainability and cutting-edge technologies into the fabric of their infrastructure.
The sustainable city integrates urban planning with renewable energy solutions, waste management, electrification, green spaces, and ample resource availability to improve your quality of life and environmental well-being. These six emerging trends are reshaping a green city near you.
Green Building Design
An emphasis on green construction has been on the rise in recent years. According to the International Energy Agency, 30% of global power consumption and 26% of global emissions derive from building operations.
Constructing green buildings requires resource efficiency, including sustainable materials and those with second life cycles. Ultimately, the materials, systems and architectural designs should minimize the structure’s long-term environmental impact while prioritizing your indoor comfort at work.
Many green buildings include passive solar designs, energy-efficient retrofits, green roofs, and water-conserving products and techniques. This approach allows commercial spaces to decrease their carbon footprints and contribute to an environmentally friendly urban environment.
Sustainable Urban Agriculture
Urban agriculture will become more prevalent as sprawl and land use changes threaten farmlands. Currently, urban farming contributes 15%-20% of the world’s food supply. Of course, this won’t feed all residents — nearly 30% of the city environment would have to be transformed into farms to achieve this. However, it does provide fresh produce locally, especially if you don’t live near a supermarket.
Urban agriculture coupled with sustainable farming practices could comprise the following:
> Community gardens
> Rooftop gardens
> Rooftop greenhouses
> School gardens
> Edible landscapes
> Indoor farming
> Hydroponics and aquaculture
Vacant lots can be converted to community gardens, which foster connections between city dwellers, boost mental health and promote physical activity. Insights show the average community garden produces 20 servings of fruits and vegetables every 11 square feet, which can reduce residential food insecurity by 90%.
Renewable Energy Sources
Renewable energy will be at the forefront of creating green cities in the future, especially as socioeconomic disparities and energy costs rise. Currently, 30% of extremely low-income households in Los Angeles don’t have air conditioning while spending over 50% of their paycheck on rent and utility costs. Yet, middle-class residents feel just as much of a financial burden, earning too much money to qualify for low-income benefits.
Cities are transitioning to solar, wind, geothermal, and hydroelectric energy to reduce their carbon footprints. Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs) help incentivize the shift toward clean solar power in urban areas. Some states require electric companies to yield a portion of electricity from solar energy, and an SREC is issued for each unit generated. After launching in Illinois in 2014, SRECs have been implemented in 20 states and reached over 20,000 customers.
Mixed-Use Spaces
Amid rapid urbanization, mixed-use developments are increasingly emerging in cities. Urban sprawl has increased by 95% over 24 years, with Europe experiencing the most significant increase, at 51% since 1990. This is more than any other continent.
Mixed-use spaces integrate residential, commercial, and recreational activities in one area. These developments promote walking and biking to limit public transportation needs and incorporate sustainable urban planning principles. Many also utilize innovative technology and renewable energy to progress sustainability and lower emissions, all while preventing further sprawl.
Green spaces also promote biodiversity, creating new habitats and food sources for local pollinators and wildlife within a city’s borders. New York City’s High Line is a prime example of supporting biodiversity in cities. The park’s design considered microclimatic conditions, with different zones designated for various types of flora. Native plants have attracted migratory and local birds, including the American kestrel, house sparrow and mourning dove.
Innovative Waste Management
Cities can anticipate greater amounts of waste because of growing urban populations. However, your dream of living in a pristine urban center may not be so far-fetched. New technologies help revamp disposal methods and encourage less waste generation.
Emerging strategies include increasing recycling rates through new programs and incentives and creating a circular economy. Many of these programs also provide resources to help you grow more aware of what’s recyclable.
As for innovative solutions, the latest sorting mechanisms will streamline the processing of recycled materials for reuse. Additionally, the newest incineration methods and anaerobic digestion — a biological process used to break down organic materials — can transform waste into energy. Cities can also integrate composting to avoid landfilling organic waste, using it in community gardens and other urban agriculture projects.
San Francisco has pioneered impressive waste management solutions. The city set a goal of 75% waste diversion by 2010, intending to reach zero waste over time. However, it successfully surpassed 80% in the first two years, decreasing citywide disposal by half.
Electrified Transportation
Transportation is a significant producer of emissions in urban areas, increasing climate change risk. Therefore, cities must seek ways to reduce vehicle-induced air pollution in the future.
The U.S. has seen an uptick in electric vehicle purchases in recent years. However, studies show that electrifying city buses can reduce emissions by 68%, which is a costly upfront investment that is expected to decrease over time. The environmental benefits make it a plausible solution for more sustainable transportation systems.
Electric buses produce fewer emissions, though—they also make less noise. According to the United Nations Environment Programme 2022 Frontiers report, nine in 10 people who use mass transit in NYC are exposed to sound levels over the recommended 70 decibels. Nearly 2 million New Yorkers take mass transit daily.
Traffic is a major producer of noise pollution in cities, affecting low-income neighborhoods the most. Loud environments harm human health, contributing to high stress, hearing loss, sleep disruptions, and lower productivity.
Transforming Cities for a Greener Future
Revolutionizing cities for tomorrow’s environmental problems requires adopting sustainable practices and green infrastructure. By striving for net-zero emissions, building energy-efficient structures, and integrating smart technologies, the world can create a place where you and the natural environment can coexist seamlessly.
Article by Jane Marsh
Jane works as an environmental and energy writer. She is also the founder and editor-in-chief of Environment.co