URBANISM in the age of
climate change
peter calthorpe
Najia K Ali Retrofitting Suburbia
Inspiration: Bucky Fuller “Space-ship earth as the ultimate ecological paradigm�
(we are all in this together and our planet is indivisible and interdependent)
Our Lifestyle today
Our cities and towns have been on a high-carbon diet – and our metropolitan regions have become, in short, obese. Oil is like a high-sugar and high-starch diet for cities; it expands the waistline without nourishing strength or resilience‌ American post-war suburbs are like fast food: their history and sense of place trumped by mass production; their ingredients dominated by a few generic staples; their resources distant and large; their infrastructure highly subsidized‌ Peter Calthorpe
imminent threats (global)
1. climate change
2. increase in fuel costs due to declining reserves
Systemic issues (local)
1. Aging population
2. Diverse middle class with less wealth
Approach to challenges: 1. Lifestyle 2. Conservation 3. Clean Energy
Lifestyle + Conservation = Urbanism
Urbanism - compact form
Less land consumed
Preservation of farmland, habitats, parks, open spaces
Small urban footprint
Less development cost & fewer miles of road, utilities, services to build and maintain Fewer impervious surfaces
Less polluted storm-water runoff
More water directed back to aquifers
Urbanism Fewer miles driven Less gas consumed Less dependence on foreign oil Less carbon emission and air pollution Lower road construction and maintenance cost Fewer automobile accidents Lower health cost due to clean air and exercise due to walkable neighborhoods & Lower obesity rates More walking – more people on the streets – safer neighborhoods & stronger communities Good Urbanism
Lifestyle today: Bigger is better Bigger homes Bigger yards Bigger cars Bigger budgets Bigger institutions That require Bigger energy sources That lead to a bigger carbon footprint Bigger building and maintenance costs Health issues due to a car dependent lifestyle, lack of exercise and polluted air
2005 – 7 billion tons of GHG = 23 tons per person (US) = 4x the global avg/person And 2x the European avg = US contribution is 30% of the carbon in the atmosphere since 1850
Calthorpe’s 12% Solution Goal for Carbon Emission by 2050
20% of Carbon Emissions in 1990
+ Projected U.S. Population increase of 130 million
= Permitted Carbon Emission per person in 2050 (Avg) 12% of current GHG (12% Solution)
1980s – Our collective material demands have exceeded the planet’s ability to supply and fulfill these demands. We are now consuming its reserves… 1961 – 0.7 acres to carbon emission/person 2010 – 3.5 acres to carbon emission/person
absorb absorb
The Urban Footprint
The Trend
• Neighborhoods
• Single-use zones (subdivisions)
• Village centers & Town centers
• Shopping centers
• Districts
• Office parks & Malls
• Preserves
• Sprawl
• Corridors
• Endless highways
Urbanism Compact Building Less energy to heat and cool
Lower utility bills Less irrigation water used Less carbon emission Lower demands of utilities Fewer new power plants
Even less carbon emission Fewer costs
Trade-offs of Urbanism Less private space
but
Less private security Less auto mobility
but
richer public realm but
safer community
convenient transit
Small yards, fewer cars, less private space but Reduced everyday costs, more family and community time
In other words (Bucky Fuller’s Words):
Do more with less