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Biosensitive cities
Planning for biosensitive cities - a checklist of essential objectives
Energy use and electricity generation
- To minimise use of energy generally (increasing energy efficiency etc.)
- To minimise use of fossil fuels as a source of energy
- To minimise use of fossil fuels in generation electricity
- To greatly increase the use of clean renewable energy
Gaseous emissions
- To minimise the release of carbon dioxide
- To minimise the release of CFCs and other compounds that destroy the ozone layer in the stratosphere
- To minimise release of sulphur and nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbon particles and tobacco smoke etc. that adversely affect human and ecosystem health
Water
- To ensure a supply of clean water (no pathogenic micro-organisms, pharmaceutical agents etc.)
- To minimise the use of water
- To maximise the recycling of water
Waste disposal
- To maximise recycling
- To minimise solid waste
- To ensure recycling of nutrients in organic waste
- To ensure effective public sanitation
Transportation
- To encourage walking, running, cycling
- To minimise number of cars on the roads
- To maximise the use of public transport
- To encourage transportation of people and freight by rail
- To encourage the use of low-energy, non-polluting vehicles
Noise
- To minimise noise levels in public places
Built environment
- To design buildings to minimise use of energy
- To design new urban areas so that houses are oriented to make best use of solar energy
- To ensure houses provide adequate protection from extremes of weather
- To design buildings and streets to ensure maximum local surveillance
- To design the built environment to encourage convivial social interaction
- To provide local activity centres that encourage community interaction, involvement in biosensitive activities and enrichment of the local social environment
- To provide recreational facilities for all age groups
- To design the built environment and parkland to encourage walking, running and cycling
- To design the built environment and parkland to be aesthetically pleasing
Green areas
- To maximise photosynthesis within the urban system
- To maximise local food production
- To plan for plenty of parkland and greenery
- To maximise local (urban) biodiversity