Written by Nitya Parekh
Edited by Arushi Ahuja & Emil Koch
Do we really want our future generations to grow up in a world like this?
We head towards technological advancement, but not a greener environment. There are advancements in almost all fields, but we often ignore the detrimental impact caused due to unsustainable development.
Our mother Earth has become a victim of pollution caused by developments happening around the globe. So what should we do to save our planet? A solution to this problem is Green Urbanization.
Green Urbanization refers to Sustainable Urban Design principles to foster the growth of environmentally friendly cities that prioritize waste reduction, emission control, the usage of sustainable construction materials, and the promotion of electric motors for transportation.
In simpler words, it is the development of cities and communities which are sustainable and environment friendly. How can we implement green urbanization in our daily lives?
Some ways that we can use are:
1. Collaborative Action
Involving the public in solving community problems can result in efficient and faster decision-making and implementation of solutions.
2. Networking
Communicating and interacting with different people can provide various ideas, which can be worked upon to produce a desirable outcome.
3. Encouraging Walking and Cycling
Walking and cycling short distances, carpooling, and using public transport are easy ways to reduce air pollution, creating a sustainable community.
4. Create Room for Nature
We are all part of nature, yet we overlook its beauty. Biosphere reserves, wildlife sanctuaries and national parks should be for people to witness the beauty and diversity of flora and fauna and connect with nature.
Apart from this, reducing the use of plastic, saving electricity and energy, and using electric vehicles are other ways to create a green community.
The idea of Green Urbanization closely aligns with SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities.
It is time we all adopt these practices in our day-to-day lives to make our community sustainable and our planet beautiful.
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References:
[1] Electric, S. (2022, August 12). Future Green City: A step towards sustainability. Schneider Electric Blog. https://blog.se.com/sustainability/2022/08/19/8-features-of-a-future-green-city-a-step-towards-sustainability/#:~:text=The%20purpose%20of%20a%20sustainable,environment%20by%20enhancing%20air%20quality; (Accessed on 07/27/2023)
[2] Global, R. E. X. (2023). What is green urbanism and why is it important? Enel X. https://corporate.enelx.com/en/stories/2021/10/green-urbanism-sustainable-city; (Accessed on 07/27/2023)