Since 2007, more than half of the population has been living in cities, and that number is expected to increase to 60% by 2030.
Cities and metropolitan areas account for about 70% of global carbon emissions and more than 60% of resource use.
Sustainable urban development refers to an approach to city planning and management that seeks to balance urban growth with long-term economic, social and environmental considerations.
Sustainable urban development objectives
The main objective of sustainable urban development is to achieve an urban environment that respects the environment and provides an optimal quality of life for present and future generations.
To achieve this, it seeks to address several key aspects.
First, the aim is to conserve the environment by minimizing the negative impact of urban activities.
This involves reducing greenhouse gas emissions, protecting local ecosystems and preserving biodiversity.
It promotes the use of renewable energies, the efficient management of natural resources and the protection of green spaces and natural areas in and around cities.
In addition, efficiency in the use of resources is pursued, avoiding waste and overexploitation.
This involves encouraging energy efficiency in buildings, promoting the responsible use of water, proper waste management and conscious consumption practices.
Sustainable urbanism also involves proper urban planning and design. It seeks comprehensive and careful planning that takes into account aspects such as connectivity, accessibility, functional diversity and the quality of life of the inhabitants.
It avoids the uncontrolled expansion of cities and promotes an equitable distribution of services and infrastructure, avoiding spatial segregation and promoting social cohesion.
In terms of mobility, the use of sustainable modes of transportation is encouraged . The aim is to reduce dependence on private vehicles, reduce pollution and traffic congestion.
It seeks to create infrastructures and policies that favor active mobility and efficient public transport.
Principles of sustainable urban development
For a city to qualify as sustainable it must comply with the following principles:
- Environmental: Sustainable cities must minimize their impact on the environment.
This involves using sustainable construction practices, reducing waste generation, and promoting recycling and proper waste management.
It also involves preserving green spaces, protecting biodiversity and air quality. - Economic: A sustainable city must be economically viable in the long term.
This implies developing projects and policies that are financially sustainable, avoiding unnecessary investments and optimizing available resources. - Social: Social sustainability focuses on improving the quality of life of the city’s inhabitants and ensuring equity and social inclusion.
It seeks to promote citizen participation in decision-making, guarantee equal access to basic services, and foster integration and social cohesion.
Building sustainable cities
Cities are experiencing accelerated growth and face significant challenges in terms of environmental impact, resource scarcity and quality of life for inhabitants.
Sustainable urban development is essential to ensure a sustainable future for our cities and for future generations.
It is a collective commitment that requires concrete actions and a long-term vision to create urban environments that are socially just, economically viable and environmentally responsible.
At Ineria Management we promote sustainable urban development, and have carried out various projects to achieve efficient resource management, reduce the environmental footprint and promote quality of life in cities.
These efforts have enabled us to obtain recognized sustainability certificates, supporting our commitment to a more sustainable urban future.
