Australia has experienced a loss of over 25% of forest cover in the last two centuries. This fact is a testament to the fact that we are to preserve our environment and develop sustainable practices.
Urban planning is an essential service that helps plan better cities. The need for this has never been more than it is now. Traffic snarls, poor waste management, and low air quality are some of the many issues addressed if there is better planning involved.
Better disaster preparedness
A well-planned city is a well-prepared city. Well laid out plans for disaster management is essential to prepare for natural calamities. Floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, and earthquakes are unpredictable, and the best way to stay safe is to prepare for every emergency.
The death rates in developed countries have significantly lessened due to this protective measure. Housing and infrastructure should be durable and long-lasting to withstand the weather. Aid, in times of emergencies, should also be in place. The place has to have a design, keeping in mind all the safety precautions to be followed.
Traffic congestion is a direct result of poor planning. Cityscapes and gated communities that hire efficient urban planners take measures to ensure a smooth flow of traffic. Flyovers, skywalks, bridges, and roads must have a design that gives users the highest mobility in the shortest time.
Well-planned cities make use of resources sustainably. The ‘sustainable trifecta’ is net-zero waste, water, and energy.
The goal is to create “living buildings” that are in integration with the surrounding environment. Rooftop rainwater harvesting systems can be installed to conserve water. Bio-toilets can minimize the use of resources. Finally, solar energy can give sustainable energy leaving no carbon footprints.
Australia has been vocal about supporting sustainable practices. 21% of Australia’s population already makes use of solar energy. So being at the forefront already, it is easy to keep the momentum going. On-site renewable energy sources can meet most of the energy needs in a community.
The job of urban planners is to find new ways to integrate efficiently with nature. Parks are not the only ways that planning can provide green solace to residents. The building itself can incorporate nature into its design. For example, hanging wall gardens positioned on the walls of buildings is one way to provide more green cover.
One needs to find more ways to live in harmony with nature. More space has to be made available for the natural environment instead of encroaching space from it. Urban cities with their humongous population require these green spaces more than anyone. Plants are the vital lungs of the Earth. They purify the carbon-dioxide in the air and provide oxygen. Air purification systems need to be in place to address breathing difficulties.
Better Waste management
Ways to ensure sustainable practices are given due consideration in urban planning. Bio-composting can recycle kitchen waste to provide clean energy. The burden on the environment can be reduced by having proper waste management systems in place. The garbage generated has to be segregated and appropriately recycled, upcycled, reused, or removed.
Overall well-being and happiness
As most people spend their time indoors, their interests must be kept in mind. City Planners keep in mind the needs of the residents and provide suitable solutions. Good ventilation, appropriate thermal conditions, and adequate green cover were all cited as vital features for overall well-being in research conducted among city dwellers.
Author bio: Helen Harry is a freelance writer and a GOT fan. Apart from writing Technologies, she likes to read & write fiction. More than anything, she loves to spend her time with her family, explaining technologies to the elders