- There are different dimensionsto sustainability, how sustainable a city is depending on its natural, physical, social and economic characteristics. Sustainable cities have a range of features:
Natural
- Natural sustainability is about how the environment, resourcesand waste are managed.
- Cities with a high level of natural sustainability rely on renewable energy
- They produce relatively little waste,and reuse or recycle the waste they produce.
- Cities where people walk, cycleand use public transport a lot produce less pollution, so they are more sustainable.
Physical
- Physical sustainability is about how wella city is able to support the people living there.
- To be sustainable, a city must provide enough resourcesto support the population and let them be productive have jobs.
- Features of physically sustainable cities include plentiful high-quality housingand secure supplies of nutritious food, safe water and energy for all residents.
Social
- Social sustainability is about how people live together, their quality of life, and the availability of basic services,
- Cities offer good living conditions for all residents with accessto basic services which includes hospitals, schools are within easy reach.
- Socially sustainable cities are peaceful, tolerant, respect human rightsand are politically stable.
Economic
- Economic sustainability is about maintaining economic growthwithout causing long-term negative effects including environmental damage, social inequality.
- Cities with high levels of economic sustainability are wealthy,have low levels of inequality and little debt.
- They are home to profitable, ethicalbusinesses that offer plenty of well-paid jobs.