Library Guides: Changing Nations: Sustainable Growth

Source: Jw. (2021)

Urbanisation and the growth of cities have brought society a lot of positives, but it can also come at great cost to the environment and to personal health and wellbeing. To make sure we keep ourselves and our natural world protected, whilst still getting the benefits of cities, there needs to be a focus on sustainable growth. Read through the resources below to learn more about sustainable growth, including urban renewal or regeneration.

Urban regeneration (UN Habitat, n.d.)
Urban regeneration brings back underutilized assets and redistributes opportunities, increasing urban prosperity and quality of life. Urban regeneration initiatives are complex, lengthy and run the risk of gentrifying private space or privatising public ones. Read through this website to learn more.
Sustainable urban development (Institute for Transportation & Development Policy, n.d.)
Sustainable urban development is the way forward for cities to mitigate climate change. Integrated urban places designed to bring people, activities, buildings, and public spaces together, with easy walking and cycling connection between them and near-excellent transit service to the rest of the city. It means inclusive access for all to local and citywide opportunities and resources by the most efficient and healthful combination of mobility modes, at the lowest financial and environmental cost, and with the highest resilience to disruptive events. Inclusive development is an essential foundation for long-term sustainability, equity, shared prosperity, and civil society in cities. Read through the resources on this website to learn more sustainable urban development.
Five ways to make cities more sustainable and resilient (Institute for Environment and Human Security, 2018, October 30)
By 2050, more than two thirds of the world population are projected to live in urban areas, and most of this urban growth will take place in lower and lower-middle income countries. But densely built-up urban spaces tend to come with challenges of their own. Therefore, there is a need to start ensuring today that these urban areas will be inclusive, safe, sustainable and resilient. But what does that mean? On the occasion of World Cities Day 2018, UNU-EHS Senior Scientist Dr. Simone Sandholz names five promising aspects how cities with their growing populations could develop to become more sustainable and resilient. Read through this article to learn more.
Urban renewal precincts (Victoria Planning Authority, n.d.)
Melbourne has always evolved. Renewal and redevelopment of areas allows us to continue this evolution and remain competitive and liveable. Urban renewal precincts are often old industrial areas that are no longer being used for their original purpose, and could benefit from redevelopment. Read through this website to see some of the areas in Melbourne that are going through urban renewal.
Docklands (Development Victoria, n.d.)
Melbourne's Docklands is one of Australia’s largest urban renewal projects, reconnecting central Melbourne with its historic waterfront. Read through this website to learn more about this renewal project.
Goal 11: Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable (United Nations, n.d.)
The world is becoming increasingly urbanised. Since 2007, more than half the world’s population has been living in cities, and that share is projected to rise to 60 per cent by 2030. Cities and metropolitan areas are powerhouses of economic growth—contributing about 60 per cent of global GDP. However, they also account for about 70 per cent of global carbon emissions and over 60 per cent of resource use. Read through this website for facts and infographics explaining why we need sustainable cities and how we achieve sustainable growth.