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To What Extent Can the Problems of Urbanization Be Met by a Policy of Sustainable Development?

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To What Extent Can the Problems of Urbanization Be Met by a Policy of Sustainable Development?
To what extent can the problems of urbanization be met by a policy of sustainable development?

With increasing life expectancy, people have moved from rural area to urban area and cities have grown rapidly, which causes many problems. To solve these problems of urbanisation, the concept of sustainability emerged, which is always used by environmentalists and political planners to express their own view of how environment and economy should be administrated (Adams, 2001). One of the most quoted definitions of it is that provided by Brundtland: ‘ development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs’ (Adams, 2001:114). In my opinion, to some extent, these problems can be addressed by the policy of sustainable development with good planning and control. In this essay, the way how it can tackle these problems will be explored by discussing three problems including environmental pollution, traffic and housing.

Damage to the environment in the process of urbanisation is the root reason for the presence of sustainability. To make cities more livable, many measures have been taken to preserve the ecosystem, such as protect green belts, building sewerage system and using new energy. Nevertheless, increasing environmental awareness is the most significant and sustainable way to improve urban environment (Ramachandraiah, 1997).

There are two main ways to increase the consciousness of protecting the environment which is regarded as civic value. Some cities use economic measures, like introducing legal restrictions and fines, which makes use of punishment to change environmental attitudes. However, in the environmental education, fostering self-efficiency is a more efficient way to change environmental behaviour patterns. Actually, nowadays, both the individuals and the organisations, especially in the developed countries, have realized that the environmental pollution has negative effects on



References: Adams, W.M. (2001). Green Development: Environment and Sustainability in the Third World. London, Taylor and Francis Ltd. Bilham-Boult, A. (2001). People, Places and Themes. Oxford, Pearson Education. Chatley, J. (1994). Social Justice in the City. Oxford, Oxford University Press. Mega, V. (1994). Improving the Urban Environment: European Challenges. Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences 23/7: 451-454. Newman, P. (1999). Transport: Reducing Automobile Dependence. The Earthscan Reader in Sustainable Cities. D. Satterthwaite. London, Earthscan Publications: 173-198. Ramachandraiah, C. (1997). Weather and Water in Urban Areas. Economic and Political Weekly 32/43: 2797-2800. Thisdell, D. (1993). Can LA Kick the Car Habit? New Scientist. 1877: 24-29.

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