4/6/16 Reading Response

  1. The Urban stability index is a tool that is proposed to address discrepancies between the increase in GDP and the decrease in resources.  It addresses 5 areas of stability: Needs of citizens, efficiency of resources, cleanliness of environment, built environment and commitment to future stability.
  2. The index has 18 components are Water supple, housing, health education, power, water demand, water recycling, % GDP from heavy industry, air and industrial pollution, waste treatment and management,  urban density, mass transit and public green space usage, building efficiency, green jobs, and investment in environmental protection.
    1. Access to water seems like it should be achievable, but we consistantly see news stories about more and more cities having water shortage.
    2. Building efficiency is achievable, AND it will create a lot of job opportunity as well as space for innovation technology.
    3. Mass Transit usage is great here in NYC, and Bike lanes/jogging is becoming more commonplace.  I think people will see the benefits of alternate methods of travel.

2 thoughts on “4/6/16 Reading Response

  1. Carlos Vasquez

    Describe what the urban sustainability index proposes to do? It proposes to bring the needed information to evaluate sustainable development. The index takes the performance of cities segments to organize them on a common set of sustainability. The main focus is to evaluate environmental sustainability of cities and their leader commitment managing their resources and creating sustainable urban populations.
    Describe three components of this index and comment on whether you view this as achievable?
    1. Basic needs. Access to safe water, sufficient living space, adequate health care, and education are fundamental priorities for urban populations. I agree with the author about those needs, in addition urban populations need jobs opportunities.
    2. Resources efficiency. A city’s efficiency in such areas as the use of water and energy and the effective recycling of water directly correlates to the quality of life of its citizens. I agree with the author that those resources are needed, in addition education people to do so is very important.
    3. Environmental cleanliness. Limiting exposure to harmful pollutants is fundamental to a city’s liability. I agree with the author, but I would like to see more information about how to reduce harmful pollution. May be with renewable energy and composting more.

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  2. D.Mao

    The urban sustainability index is to determine the gap between finding and using effective solutions in making economic growth in urban areas with negatively impacting the environment and other resources. The index is intended to measure different parts of a city and how will it is preforming in relation to citizen needs, resources and environmental management, and commitment to a sustainable future. It is interesting that the authors focus on emerging markets and is using china’s urban development as a model for the index. A lot of what is identified such as industrial land-renew reforms and everyone working together on and putting pressure on polluters like Qingdao’s consistent improvement on water treatment, it just a wonder if the index can be applied to more developed urban areas such as NYC to influential policies.

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