W1 BLOG

WEEK1  

1.     W1- Concept of Sustainability through my eyes

Sustainability,' is often thought in terms of environment and natural resources. Whenever I think of the meaning of sustainability use the concept of the cherry blossom. When the tree is in full bloom and the the petals start to fall, they covers the ground  and dispersing the seeds. The seeds will start to take root and the others will help nourish the existing blossom tree and others plants. Not only do we enjoy watching the whole process, it also provides us with cherries. The lifecycle of the tree is sustainable causing no impact to the environment it returns all resources and enriches what is already existing.

The cherry-tree scenario is one model that renowned designer and sustainable-development expert William McDonough uses to illustrate how healthy, sustainable systems are supposed to work.

I believe this is true sustainability and if only human could live in this way - using our resources, making contribution and not wasting by products in the process. McDonough’s cherry-tree model represents several key principles of sustainability — including lifecycle awareness, no-waste nutrient cycling and a commitment to “it’s-all-connected” systems thinking. And it turns out that many of these principles can be usefully applied not just to natural resources and ecosystems, but to all systems — from frameworks for economic and industrial production to blueprints for individual and collective well-being.

As we are overusing and not regenerating what we use, we have not followed the cherry- tree model. Maybe it has something to do with how many of our social, economic and ecological systems are showing signs of extreme strain. Maybe it’s how many of us are sick and tired of living in a culture where everyone else seems sick and tired. Maybe it’s the growing realization that no matter how busy and efficient we are, if our efforts don’t feed us in a deep way, then all that output may be more than a little misguided. Whatever the reason, a lot of us are asking: If our extensive productivity doesn’t make us happy, doesn’t allow for calm and creativity, doesn’t give us an opportunity to participate in a meaningful way — then, really, what’s the point?

These days, it seems that more of us are taking a keen interest in seeking out better ways, and seeing the value of extending the lessons of sustainability beyond the natural world and into our own perspectives on what the good life is all about.

2.     W1 - The concept of Sustainable urban development through my eyes

Urban areas and cities all over the world are constantly facing complex and rapidly evolving challenges. We are continuously asking ourselves questions about how to make our cities more sustainable. A few questions which have come to mind for myself are how can we transform our existing cities into liveable habitats? How can we bring together the government, private and public sectors as well as our people to collaboratively work together? To build cities of the future is sustainable development still a concept that will help guide built environment professionals?

The classic definition of sustainability comes from the Brundtland Report of 1987:  "Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."

However, I believe the term can be applied in a range of different ways and approaches. Despite this notion, I believe Sustainable development is not enough anymore. This is because "the ability of future generations to meet their own needs" is already compromised. We are over consuming our planet at a rate that is to fast for it to regenerate. Our cities and urban areas are destroying our ecosystem causing many problems for future living. Our intense resource use can be dated back to the industrial revolution. From this time to now we have disregarded our environment therefore contributing to climate change and the loss of soil carbon, natural fertility of farmland and biodiversity all over the world. Our cities are using raw materials which have not even been generated in that city, it is now time to start design and regenerating to give back to the planet. Regenerative urban development is not only achieved by using our resources effectively but also enhancing our ecosystems. We need to branch out of the vague concept of ‘sustainability’ and work towards regenerating soils, forests and watercourses. This way we are improving not just sustaining an already depleted situation. By transforming the aim is to improve rather than merely sustaining our currently degraded condition.

Turning urban areas into regenerative cities will lower our dependence on fossil fuels, boost renewable energies etc. There are a range of existing systems available but have not been implemented into cities or are moving at a slow rate.  We must develop strategies and regenerate our overused planet.