Vision is seeing what life could be like while dealing with life as it is.
Vision deals with those deeper human intangibles that alone give ultimate purpose to life. In the end, vision must always deal with life’s qualities, not with its quantities.”
(Van Duisen Wilhard)
Principles for Sustainability
Sustainability literally means the capacity to endure over time. Symbolically, it refers to what is of true values, what is good, genuine and resilient, which can stand the test of time. Sustainability associates with balance and equity in a comprehensive approach, which acknowledges our dependence on the health of natural systems for our survival and well-being, the limit carrying capacity of the Earth and the detrimental impact of unchecked human activities (Edwards 2005). Thus, sustainability strives for balance among the interconnected ecological, economic and social systems. As implied from the most popular definition of sustainable development ("Sustainable development is development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”, the Brundtland report 1987), sustainability requires a long term, intergenerational perspective. Equity should be maintained, not only across communities within generation but also between generations.
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The Earth Charter is a global consensus, a product of a decade-long, worldwide, cross-cultural dialogue on common goals and shared values. As “a vision of hope and a call to action”, it provides us with inspiration and guidance to a sustainable future. In October 2003, UNESCO adopted a resolution recognizing the Earth Charter as an important ethical framework for sustainability (ECI Secretariat 2011). Main principles of the Earth Charter are summarized here:
THE EARTH CHARTER’S PRINCIPLES
Respect and Care for the Community of Life:
To respect Earth and life in all its diversity;
To care for the community of life with understanding, compassion and love;
To build democratic societies that are just, sustainable, participatory and peaceful; and
To secure Earth's bounty and beauty for present and future generations.
In order to fulfill these four broad commitments, it is necessary to:
Ecological Integrity
Protect and restore the integrity of Earth's ecological systems, with special concern for biological diversity and the natural processes that sustain life.
Prevent harm as the best method of environmental protection and, when knowledge is limited, apply a precautionary approach.
Adopt patterns of production, consumption, and reproduction that safeguard Earth's regenerative capacities, human rights, and community well-being.
Advance the study of ecological sustainability and promote the open exchange and wide application of the knowledge acquired.
Social and Economic Justice
Eradicate poverty as an ethical, social, and environmental imperative.
Ensure that economic activities and institutions at all levels promote human development in an equitable and sustainable manner.
Affirm gender equality and equity as prerequisites to sustainable development and ensure universal access to education, health care, and economic opportunity.
Uphold the right of all, without discrimination, to a natural and social environment supportive of human dignity, bodily health, and spiritual well-being, with special attention to the rights of indigenous peoples and minorities.
Democracy, Nonviolence, and Peace
Strengthen democratic institutions at all levels, and provide transparency and accountability in governance, inclusive participation in decision making, and access to justice.
Integrate into formal education and life-long learning the knowledge, values, and skills needed for a sustainable way of life.
Treat all living beings with respect and consideration.
Promote a culture of tolerance, nonviolence, and peace.
The spirit of the Earth Charter is beautifully highlighted in the core principle of Respect and Care for the Community of Life: respect Earth and life in all its diversity, care for the community of life with understanding, compassion and love. It helps us to recognize what is deeply and fundamentally important to us – our connection with each other and with the natural world. That holistic worldview leads us to do no harm and cooperate with nature, with all other humans and other living beings in the web of life.
One Planet Living is a global initiative developed by BioRegional and WWF . While the Earth Charter is an ethical framework, the One Planet Living’s sustainable city concepts are more of a practical vision that helps us to focus on how we can take action for a sustainable future.
One Planet Living is a global initiative developed by BioRegional and WWF . While the Earth Charter is an ethical framework, the One Planet Living’s sustainable city concepts are more of a practical vision that helps us to focus on how we can take action for a sustainable future.
The Ten Principles of One Planet Living
(Source: BioRegional and WWF)
The Philips Center's framework for Livable Cities- In the urban context, sustainability can be perceived as visions of livable and lovable cities (The Philips Center for Health & Wellbeing 2010). Experts from the Philips Center have identified three important interlinked ingredients of a livable city: resilience, inclusiveness and authenticity.
(Soucre: The Philips Center)
In their conceptual framework for urban sustainability, think tank of the Philips Center pointed out that these three essential attributes of a livable city should present in all dimensions of sustainability (social, cultural, economic, technical and environmental).
So, a livable city should be a resilient city, environmentally, socially and economically; this is particularly true in the growing context of climate change, as resilience is about adaptability, flexibility, the ability of a city to balance continuity with change. A resilient city is a “strong” city which has inner strength to help it remain stable through shocks and stresses. A livable city is also an inclusive city, which cherishes social integration and cohesion. Moreover, a livable as well as lovable city usually has its own unique identity.
Ecocity features main characteristics of an ecocity model envisioned by experts of Ecocity Builders , using integrated, whole systems approach for city design, building, and operations in relation to the surrounding environment and natural resources of the region (Ecocity Builders 2010).
So, a livable city should be a resilient city, environmentally, socially and economically; this is particularly true in the growing context of climate change, as resilience is about adaptability, flexibility, the ability of a city to balance continuity with change. A resilient city is a “strong” city which has inner strength to help it remain stable through shocks and stresses. A livable city is also an inclusive city, which cherishes social integration and cohesion. Moreover, a livable as well as lovable city usually has its own unique identity.
VISION OF A LIVABLE & LOVABLE CITY
(The Philips Center 2010)
Resilience
Preservation of biodiversity and ecosystems for local environmental quality
Energy, food, water, materials at low global ecological footprint
Green areas and water as environmental mitigation factors, parks as “lungs” of a city
Cultural diversity, multiple lifestyle, continuity and change, tradition and innovation
Adaptability, regeneration, transformation, interdependency, systems view
Economic diversity, local entrepreneurship, job creation…
Inclusiveness
Public green areas as outdoor gyms, recreational spaces, social bridges…
Empowerment, justice and freedom
Equitable access to resources, rights to public goods and services
Social participation, economic inclusion
Cultural diversity and integration, tolerance
Sense of ownership, security and safety
Authenticity
Local ecosystem for local identity, native species as uniqueness of a place
Natural heritage as collective memory
Connection between people and nature
Historical heritage and identity
Valuable local knowledge and culture
Appropriate innovation and choices of change
Cultural and technological rootedness
Sense of place, belonging and pride
Connection between people and people, people and land
Ecocity features main characteristics of an ecocity model envisioned by experts of Ecocity Builders , using integrated, whole systems approach for city design, building, and operations in relation to the surrounding environment and natural resources of the region (Ecocity Builders 2010).
Principal features of an ecocity
(adapted from Ecocity Builders)
(adapted from Ecocity Builders)
The following parts will discuss briefly more concepts and models for urban sustainability, in terms of its interrelated dimensions, ecological balance, economic development, social cohesion, cultural vitality and good governance for sustainable urban development.
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