C. 25 Sustainable Cities Definitions Urban (metropolitan) area town plus its suburbs Rural area an area with a population less than 2,500 people Urban Sprawl The creation of urbanized areas that spread into rural areas and remove clear boundaries between the two Megaopolis/Megacities Long chains of metropolitan areas Northeast U.S., Tokyo, L.A. Urban (metropolitan) area town plus its suburbs Rural area an area with a population less than 2,500 people Urban Sprawl The creation of urbanized areas that spread into rural areas and remove clear boundaries between the two Megaopolis/Megacities Long chains of metropolitan areas Northeast U.S., Tokyo, L.A. 75% of the US population live in urban areas occupying 3% of the country s land area Causes of Urban Sprawl Urban growth due to: natural increase - births immigration - poor are pulled to urban areas or are pushed from rural areas Encouraged by: - availability of cheap land, (forests, agriculture fields etc.). - government loans guarantees for new single-family homes - government & state funding of highways -low-cost gasoline encourage car use -low interest mortgage Urban growth due to: natural increase - births immigration - poor are pulled to urban areas or are pushed from rural areas Encouraged by: - availability of cheap land, (forests, agriculture fields etc.). - government loans guarantees for new single-family homes - government & state funding of highways -low-cost gasoline encourage car use -low interest mortgage Urban Blight The drive to increase home area and access to nature cause many people to move to the suburbs. This causes urban blight, as the tax base is reduced, in which public services deteriorate. I.e.: inner city schools Policies for Urban Sprawl Highway Trust Fund Maintains and updates roads to ease traffic congestion Zoning Classifying land areas for use residential, commercial, mixed, multifamily Federal Housing Administration (FHA) government assistance housing to encourage movement to suburban areas Highway Trust Fund Maintains and updates roads to ease traffic congestion Zoning Classifying land areas for use residential, commercial, mixed, multifamily Federal Housing Administration (FHA) government assistance housing to encourage movement to suburban areas Concentric (New York) Sector (San Fran) Mulitple Nuclei (Miami) Enviromental Issues Benefits of urbanization: recycling more economically feasible decreased birth rates reduces environmental pressures per capita expenditures on environmental protection high in urban areas population concentration impacts biodiversity less Consequences: Cities produce little of own food Urban heat island effect --> dust dome Water supply and flooding problems High pollution exposure Benefits of urbanization: recycling more economically feasible decreased birth rates reduces environmental pressures per capita expenditures on environmental protection high in urban areas population concentration impacts biodiversity less Consequences: Cities produce little of own food Urban heat island effect --> dust dome Water supply and flooding problems High pollution exposure Urban Heat Island Effect The enormous amount of heat generated creates an urban heat island Additional heat changes climate of surrounding area Traps pollution over city Noise Pollution Excessive noise exposure health effects Hearing loss, hypertension, muscle tension, migraines, headaches, higher cholesterol levels, gastric ulcers, irritability, insomnia, psychological disorders, aggression Noise levels measured in decibels that run on a power of ten scale Smart Growth EPAs List of 10 Principles 1.Mixed land uses 2.Range of housing opportunities 3.Walkable neighborhoods 4.Community and stakeholder collaboration 5.Compact building design 6.Foster distinct communities 7.Preserve open space 8.Variety of transportation options 9.Strengthening development in existent communities 10.Make development predictable, fair and cost- effective 1.Mixed land uses 2.Range of housing opportunities 3.Walkable neighborhoods 4.Community and stakeholder collaboration 5.Compact building design 6.Foster distinct communities 7.Preserve open space 8.Variety of transportation options 9.Strengthening development in existent communities 10.Make development predictable, fair and cost- effective 10 Solid and Hazardous Waste Chapter 24 Solid Waste 98.5% is from 1. _________________ 2. _________________ 3. _________________ 4. _________________ 5. _________________ 1.5% is municipal solid waste (MSW) - trash, garbage - more common items 98.5% is from 1. _________________ 2. _________________ 3. _________________ 4. _________________ 5. _________________ 1.5% is municipal solid waste (MSW) - trash, garbage - more common items Source: EPA Office of Solid Waste, Municipal Solid Waste Fact Sheet 12 Solid Waste Problems Disease (Rodent and pest reduction) Fire potential Decrease in the _________________ quality of the environment Pollutants (water and soil) 13 MSW In 2009, Americans generated 243 million tons of MSW ~4.34 pounds of waste per person per day (Up from 2.7 pounds per person per day in 1960) We recycled and composted 82 million tons (~ 34% recycling rate or 1.46 pounds per person per day) 14 Agriculture Waste Livestock produce sewage 200,000 hens, 1200 head of cattle in a feedlot, & 10,500 hogs may produce as much waste as 20,000 people In the U.S., there are 337 million hen, 96.1 million head of cattle & 58.7 million hogs which produce twice as much sewage as all the humans in the U.S. Livestock produce sewage 200,000 hens, 1200 head of cattle in a feedlot, & 10,500 hogs may produce as much waste as 20,000 people In the U.S., there are 337 million hen, 96.1 million head of cattle & 58.7 million hogs which produce twice as much sewage as all the humans in the U.S. 15 Source Reduction Waste prevention/source reduction means _________________ The U.S. has ~5% of worlds population & generates 33% of MSW and 75% of hazardous waste What can industry do? ______________, better made products, What can you do? Consume less, smarter purchases, reduce _________________ 16 Reduce, Reuse & Recycle _________________, when possible, is preferable to _________________ because the item does not need to be reprocessed before it can be used again Examples of reusing? If item cannot not be reused then consider recycling What can be recycled? _________________, when possible, is preferable to _________________ because the item does not need to be reprocessed before it can be used again Examples of reusing? If item cannot not be reused then consider recycling What can be recycled? 17 Recycling _________________, including _________________, diverted 82 million tons of material away from landfills and incinerators in 2009, up from 34 million tons in 1990 Economic Benefits? Environmental Benefits? 18 Composting _________________ is the controlled biological decomposition of organic matter, such as food and yard wastes, into _________________, a rich soil- like material Composting is nature's way of recycling organic wastes into new soil used in vegetable and flower gardens, landscaping, and many other applications Incinerators and Energy from Waste generation Incinerators and Energy from Waste generation _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _ (RCRA): MSW landfills are regulated by state, tribal, and local governments but must meet EPA standards The number of landfills in the United States is steadily decreasing but new landfills are much larger than in the past 19 Incinerators and Landfills 20 Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Enacted by Congress in 1976 and amended in Primary goal is to _________________ and the environment from the potential hazards of waste disposal. Also calls for conservation of energy and natural resources, reduction in waste generated, and environmentally sound waste management practices. 21 Federal Landfill Standards A: _________________ ensure that landfills are built in suitable geological areas away from faults, wetlands, flood plains, or other restricted areas B: _________________ are geomembrane or _________________ reinforced with two feet of _________________ on the bottom and sides of landfills C: _________________ such as compacting and covering waste frequently with several inches of soil help reduce odor; control litter, insects, and rodents; and protect public health D: _________________ requires testing groundwater wells to determine whether waste materials have escaped from the landfill 22 Federal Landfill Standards E: _________________ care include covering landfills and providing long-term care of closed landfills F: _________________ controls and cleans up landfill releases and achieves groundwater protection standards G: _________________ provides funding for environmental protection during and after landfill closure (i.e., closure and postclosure care) Anatomy of a Landfill Part 1 The _________________may be layers of clay or other synthetic material & placed on compacted soil. A _________________is located below the landfill. Its a system of pipes to collect _________________ which is pumped away and treated at a plant. Trash is consistently layered with soil to promote _________________. Anatomy of a Landfill Part 2 A is placed over the landfill to keep water out (to prevent eventual leachate formation). A _________________ is placed over the landfill to keep water out (to prevent eventual leachate formation). Landfills also must have a system to dispose of _____________ gas. Landfill design and landfill energy Landfill design and landfill energy A is placed over the landfill to keep water out (to prevent eventual leachate formation). A _________________ is placed over the landfill to keep water out (to prevent eventual leachate formation). Landfills also must have a system to dispose of _____________ gas. Landfill design and landfill energy Landfill design and landfill energy 25 Household Hazardous Waste Common household items such as paints, cleaners, oils, batteries, and pesticides contain hazardous components Americans generate 1.6 million tons of HHW per year 26 Proper HHW Management Reduce and recycle HHW conserves resources and energy that would be expended in the production of more products Reuse of hazardous household products can save money and reduce the need for generating hazardous substances Proper disposal prevents pollution that could endanger human health and the environment 27 Superfunds/Brownfields Sites/properties where dumping of _____________ was intensive or continuous Congress established the _____________ Program in 1980 to locate, investigate, and clean up the worst sites nationwide 28 Superfund Management The EPA administers in cooperation with individual states and tribal governments Management by the Office of Emergency and Remedial Response (OERR) Legislation: _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________ (CERCLA); 1980 Superfund to clean up abandoned sites Hazard Ranking System (HRS) National Priority List (NPL) Reauthorized in 1986 (SARA) CERCLA Intended as a solution to those previously contaminated sites with no-one to pay Two levels Emergency response immediate threat to human health or environment Long term remediation if Hazard Ranking System (HRS) shows a score over 27.5, it is added to the National Priorities List (NPL) for Superfund cleanup 1300 sites on NPL in 1990, more to come In our neighborhood?neighborhood? Intended as a solution to those previously contaminated sites with no-one to pay Two levels Emergency response immediate threat to human health or environment Long term remediation if Hazard Ranking System (HRS) shows a score over 27.5, it is added to the National Priorities List (NPL) for Superfund cleanup 1300 sites on NPL in 1990, more to come In our neighborhood?neighborhood? 29 30 SUPERFUND SITE: Clean-up from Gulf Oil Spill