From the principles of Earth Charter or One Planet Living to models created by think tank of Philips Center or Ecocity Builders, sustainability has been envisioned in an integrated framework of interrelated dimensions. Cities and human systems are considered as parts of larger natural ecosystems and socio-economic communities, in which all things are linked to each other in the web of life. Thus, urban sustainability can only be achieved with a systems approach which recognizes this profound interconnectedness. Urban sustainability visions are not fixed images but rather flexible and evolutionary perspectives.
The core philosophy of sustainability lies in the appreciation of nature as the symbol of integrity, stability and beauty. Thus, a sustainable city would be a green city, in which nature is well protected and integrated harmoniously in urban design and planning. Moreover, there is no concept of waste in nature, energy and materials flow and regenerate through ongoing cycles. Thus, a sustainable city would be a regenerative city, which applies nature’s wisdom in its waste recycling and using local, renewable material and energy. Respecting nature, living more simply within the Earth’s limits and reducing our impact on the Earth’s resources, this implies the moderation in population reproduction, economic production and consumption. These are crucial steps towards a low-carbon economy, particularly in the context of Peak Oil, climate change and resource depletion.
Written beautifully in the Earth Charter, the key principle of sustainability is “care for the community of life, with understanding, compassion and love”. Sustainability cherishes sense of community, social capital, solidarity and a culture of peace with mutual respect, sharing and caring. Cooperation rather than competition with nature and with each other is advocated. Above all, happiness, which is the real meaning of life, does not lie on materials terms alone but rather on our spiritual and social relationship in community.
A sustainable city would be a human friendly city. This human friendliness does not come only from its open-minded, helpful and friendly people but also this attribute can be manifested and fostered by thoughtful urban design and planning, which encourage social interaction and cultural exchange through public spaces, walkable neighborhoods…
Any imbalance or injustice implies unstability and high potential risk of collapse, thus it can not sustain in the long run. Beside ecological balance, a sustainable city would be a city of social and economic justice because equity is another primary principle of sustainability. A sustainable city would not only be human friendly but also humane; an inclusive city which embraces all its people, regardless of their race, gender, age, social or economic status. On the other hand, culture of sustainability appreciates tolerance of differences, and diversity is seen as source of richness rather than conflicts.
Ideals of democracy, accountability, transparency and inclusive decision making are essential attributes of good governance, which in turn plays a vital role as guiding forces for cities on the journey toward sustainability. Since actors of governance comprise not only the government but also the private sector and civil society, active citizen participation is vital to the success of urban sustainability. Nowaday, with the development of web 2.0, e-governance and other ICT applications in urban management and operation promise huge potential in improving public services as well as enhancing citizen participation and interaction in decision making.
Recommendations for HCMC
A sustainable city is also a desirable and loveable city. This is confirmed through the global online survey and the questionnaire for HCMC’s residents in which sustainability models are welcomed by most of respondents. On the other hand, reflection on reality of HCMC’s urban performance presents quite a pessimistic picture. HCMC in perceptions of respondents is still far away from urban sustainability visions. Many problems of traffic, pollution, flooding, overload infrastructure, noise, lack of green and public spaces, corruption and bad planning pose great challenges to sustainable development of this soon-to-be megacity. This implies that, although compact development is a good and efficient model, it would functions positively only when there is reasonable size of population within its carrying and management capacity, plus good governance and urban planning that harmonious with local nature.
In addition, observation from the field study at some slum areas in HCMC also shows that there are many people still live in very bad conditions and everyday still have to struggle to survive. Sustainability would be a very far away dream if the basic subsistence needs have not been met. Therefore, the city should assist the poor through social housing, health care policies, job opportunities, especially in terms of accessibility to education and training. Because in the long run, public empowerment is crucial to win over poverty and to go further on the way toward future urban sustainability.
Better public transportation system, well-organized, diverse and efficient is needed for crowded HCMC. Public transportation should be more comfortable as the quality of service should be improved so that it can be more attractive and become priority in people’s choice, beside affordability.
Walkability and cyclability should be integrated into public transportation system. Pedestrians and cyclists should be encouraged through incentive policies and programmes. On the other hand, limitation of cars and motorbikes, particularly in central downtown can help saving energy, improving environment and community sense with safer traffic, better public interaction and less pollution.
Urbanization should be approached with precaution. Systems thinking and long term perspectives should be applied in strategic urban planning. Scenarios of climate change, risk of salination, flooding and their impacts should be taken into account to prepare for adaptation and mitigation. Some current new urban projects expanding into low lying land and highly sensitive areas such as Thu Thiem, new harbour in Nha Be, tourist city in Can Gio (the UNESCO biosphere reserve) should be re-examined very carefully.
Farm lands and green spaces should be preserved for microclimate regulation, water retention, urban biodiversity as well as food security and other beneficial ecosystem services. Greening the city activities should be encouraged such as planting street trees, building community gardens, parks, covering city with flowers, plants wherever possible (abandoned lots, balconies, roofs…) to make city more beautiful and refreshing.
Urban designs such as green pavement, waterparks can facilitate rainwater infiltration to replenish groundwater and mitigate urban flood. Cisterns can be used at household level to catch and channel rainwater for non-drinking purposes.
It is necessary for HCMC to start as soon as possible integrated waste management instead of current landfilling method otherwise later HCMC will inevitably face the waste crisis. It should be noted that, reducing waste, separating waste at source and recycling can only be promoted efficiently with enhanced public awareness.
Cleaner, renewable energies and their supporting infrastructure should be taken into consideration in the long term development of the city. Some examples can be the model of solar street lighting, solar-panel on roof of big buildings, cleaner fuels for public transportation…
Capacity building, public awareness raising and education for sustainability
Good leadership with urban sustainability vision is required for future success of a city. Moreover, active citizen participation is also vital. Thus, capacity building for local managers, officers, as well as education and public awareness raising can be powerful tools for positive social change and for nurturing a culture of sustainability.
In general education for sustainability should be integrated creatively[1] at all level of education system and even should start at family education. Holistic perception is necessary for humanity to live sustainably by understanding our co-existence on this planet, how we are interconnected and mutually interdependent. This leads us to cooperate with all other humans and other living beings, and encourages a meaningful lifestyle in which we live more close to nature, more simply but healthily and richly. Therefore, education should place a high focus on living values, building inner strength and interpersonal skills, fostering compassion, respect and understanding, celebrating diversity, multicultures, equality and social responsibility. A holistic education aims for future citizens who live with love and care, who find joy in services and who appreciate the Good, the True and the Beautiful in life.
[*] Beside conventional teaching, we can apply various creative ways of education such as teaching by being examples (green teachers); team work to teach cooperative spirit; experience-based learning, through school gardens, working in the field, helping other people in need, voluntary services in local community; visual learning with the help of movies, audio, documentaries, internet; project-based learning, problem-based learning; excursions to natural sites, forests, national parks; learning through arts; teaching meditation for children to help them improving concentration, having inner peace and developing spirituality…
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