1. What are sustainable urban neighbourhoods?
1. Sustainable development
a) meet the needs of the present population by achieving high standards of living for all
b) ensure the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
2. Economic and social sustainability in urban neighbourhoods
a) high enough population density to support local businesses, and keep transport and infrastructure costs low
b) small population size to enable regular interaction among residents and to discuss decisions affecting the neighbourhood
3. Environmental sustainability in urban neighbourhoods
a) ample protection for nature and facilities that supports waste minimisation and recycling
b) adopts energy and water efficient design approaches for buildings and landscapes
2. What ecosystem services are found in urban neighbourhoods?
1. Urban neighbourhoods as ecosystems
a) ecosystems consist of living communities and the non-living environment interacting with one another
b) aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems in neighbourhoods including ponds, lakes, parks and forests
2. Provisioning and regulating services
a) provisioning services available in neighbourhoods include fresh water and food
b) regulating services in neighbourhoods include microclimate regulation, flood mitigation, air and water quality
3. Cultural and supporting services
a) cultural services in neighbourhoods include aesthetics, education and recreation
b) supporting services in neighbourhoods include soil formation, pollination and photosynthesis
3. What are common hazards in urban neighbourhoods?
1. Fire hazards
a) fires in neighbourhoods are commonly caused by faulty electrical appliances and wiring, and unattended cooking fires
b) negative consequences of fires include burn injuries, smoke inhalation and property damage
2. Air pollution hazards
a) air pollution in neighbourhoods is commonly caused by burning vegetation and industrial and motor vehicle emissions
b) negative consequences of air pollution include respiratory infections, heart disease and lung cancer
3. Traffic hazards
a) traffic accidents in neighbourhoods are commonly caused by speeding, red-light running and drunk driving
b) negative consequences of traffic accidents include serious injury and loss of life
4. How to build sustainable urban neighbourhoods?
1. Environmental stewardship
a) promote volunteerism among neighbourhood residents to share knowledge with others about the importance of healthy ecosystems
b) partner public and private stakeholders in environmental stewardship efforts
2. Disaster risk management
a) reduce neighbourhoods’ exposure to hazards and the vulnerability of people and properties to hazards
b) improve residents’ preparedness in responding to hazards and implement monitoring and warning systems
3. Community resilience
a) strengthen relationships among residents and raise their awareness of potential hazards
b) develop residents’ ability to organise themselves and equip themselves with resources to resist, adapt and recover from a disaster
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