Conference Theme
There is a need to stage a guide for global planning which involves new sustained
environmental directions.
While urban designers and architects alone cannot solve
the world’s environmental problems, they are responsible for designing the future
cities, and therefore in a position to influence the promotion and pursuit of
energy-efficient, socially-responsible buildings and public spaces. They are also
in a position to influence the future cities through new paradigms of innovation;
new thoughts; new perspectives; new methods and rural and urban strategies, where
increased use of new technology is a crucial part of the sustainable planning
strategies developed. The current urbanisation which attracts people in great
numbers from rural areas and small towns raises issues such as prospects for work;
housing possibilities; improved lifestyle and education. How does this rapid urbanisation
effect the environment? How will rural areas cope with the increased emigration?
Is urbanisation as an isolated entity the critical factor generating these environmental
issues?
The green city; the inclusive city; the social city; the walkable city; the eco-city
are concepts promoted by architects and planners in their work of designing future
cities and pursuing environmental solutions while at the same time trying to include
a conscious approach towards the social and human aspect of the new urban context.
New city concepts claim to accommodate the rapid urbanisation with design strategies
enabling the city as an organism to grow accordingly to the growth of population.
Is there a real demand for such new cities being planned? Might it be that the
real challenge lies in sustaining the existing city, and turning the focus towards
rural areas with small towns, villages and communities making them more interesting
and attractive to live in so that people don’t move from these places?
Current cities are challenged by future environmental problems escalated from
matters such as higher urban density; constraint of land use; rapid urbanisation;
increased car use; higher global mobility; higher energy use and an extended consumption
of global and cultural resources. Highlighting the concept of the future cities
includes discovering the reasons behind the potential environmental disaster.
Are the environmental issues our cities are facing only related to what is described
in the UN Environmental report? Or could it be a consequence of people’s advanced
mobility and change of lifestyle over the past three decades? I.e. new cities
adjacent to waterfronts will be major influence on economic growth and tourism,
leading to increased consumption of natural resources and undesirable impacts
on culturally important heritage sites.
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