Chicago is an expansive urban center, the third largest city in the US with a population of around 3 million people. This is a view of Chicago of the John Hancock Building and Lake Michigan, from the Sears (Willis) Tower.
The more people there are...
and the more industrialization there is...
... the more waste and pollution we generate.
Notes Template for use during the lecture
Problems to know about urbanization, that it:
Leads to depletion of resources and saltwater intrusion.
Land Development
Maintain and restore wetlands
Preserve coastal land and restrict development
Drill wells distant from the coast (50+ meters)
Reduce water use and well pump depth
Pump less water more frequently
Coordinate pumping in a multi-well system so it isn't simultaneous
Through the burning of fossil fuels and landfills, increases the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Transportation
Subsidize mass transit to encourage less automobile use
Build bike paths to encourage less automobile use
Establish moratoria on highway and new road construction
Develop master plans which direct new residents/jobs to busy hubs
Does not allow water to reach the soil, leading to flooding because of human-made structures—such as roads, buildings, sidewalks, and parking lots
Replacing traditional pavement with permeable pavement
Increases recharge of aquifers
Decreases flooding
Planting trees in median strips/sidewalk boxes
Reduces urban heat island effect
Improves air quality
Provides habitat
Decreases noise pollution
Incorporating urban gardens or buffer strips along waterways
Reduces urban heat island effect
Improves air quality
Provides locally grown produce that reduces need for transport of food from more distant areas
Increase infiltration or purifies runoff water
Leads to urban sprawl (change in population distribution from high density areas to low density suburbs)
Zoning/Design
Modify zoning ordinances to encourage multi-use/mixed land uses, create minimum development densities; promote compact communities; a range of housing opportunities; vertical development.
Establish development barriers surrounding cities and towns (Urban Growth Boundaries)
Preserve and protect farms/agricultural lands by designating these areas as agricultural land reserves or conservation easements
Create a range of housing opportunities & choices (Urban Village Strategy): dense, multifamily-and single-family housing near shops, cafes, & public transit
Foster communities that provide a sense of place: promote appreciation of unique environments, community involvement, and social context of cities
Promote gentrification
Promote reclamation of brownfields
Smarter Development Plan
cluster housing development (putting groups of houses together)
higher density housing (use of common walls, etc.)
use of multi-stored housing instead of wide-spread single-storied housing
center development of area with a greenbelt
ordinance requiring tree preservation
lot size regulations to prevent subdividing
underground placement of utilities and installation of unobtrusive lighting
noise regulations
Resources and references for noise pollution:
Important Terms:
Decibel: measurement of loudness
Hertz: frequency of sound, perceived as pitch
