Greening Urban Development : the Challenges and the Opportunities

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1 Greening Urban Development : the Challenges and the Opportunities Donovan Storey Chief, Sustainable Urban Development, Environment & Development Division National Workshop on Sustainable Urban and Industry Development in Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, August 2014

2 The Asia-Pacific: Urban growth & its fragile resource base In 2014 the Asia-Pacific region has over 2 billion urban citizens Since 2000 an astonishing increase of 630 million people in cities in the ESCAP region A region of megacities - yet largest urban population & fastest growth is in small-medium size towns & cities Mix of migration, population growth & reclassification Economic transformation correlated with urbanization Cities disproportionately contribute to economic growth relative to population but they also consume vast resources The Asia-Pacific region utilizes three times the energy input required for proportionate GDP growth than any other region Growth underpinned by inefficiency and resource waste

3 The Asia-Pacific urban challenge The region s urban areas have spatially large consumption, production and resource footprints: it is an urban growth pattern defined by inefficiency and waste What solutions and strategies can be implemented at the city, national and regional level to close the gaps between urban growth patterns, sustainability, quality of life and inclusive development?

4 Cities as resource consumers 1 billion new consumers in emerging market cities by 2025 Annual consumption in emerging cities is set to rise by $10 trillion by 2050

5 Urban Energy Consumption

6 Water is a priority agenda for urban development Rio +20 water is at the core of sustainable development

7 Need for Eco-efficient Water Infrastructure The Future We Want recognizes that water is at the core of sustainable development It further stresses the need to significantly improve water efficiency Business as usual is projected to lead to a large and unsustainable gap between global supply and water withdrawals Increased efficiency would reduce demand for water by about a fifth by 2050

8 Integrated Water Cycle Management for Sustainable Urban Development From Hoban and Wong 2006

9 Infrastructure challenges for Green Economy Infrastructure is a critical determinant of energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions and environmental impact in general It has a long life span, which can create a lock-in effect (energy intensity, physical structure etc) for decades Need then to transition now to green economy based upon eco-efficient infrastructure design and approaches for future generations

10 The Mongolia Context

11 Urbanization in Mongolia Urban population: - 72% of total population (2015) - 80% of total population (2030) Population in UlaanBaatar: - 47% of total population (2015) - 54% of total population (2030) (Source: UNDESA, 2014)

12 Challenges and Opportunities: Mongolia & Energy Inefficient energy resource management in the context of a projected quadrupling of energy demand by outdated coal-burning power plants - inefficient energy distribution - insufficient energy supply in winter - continued dependence on fossil fuels - small portion of renewable energy - energy extensive industrial sector Given projected water scarcity and continued energy insufficiency Mongolia faces particular challenges in managing energy-water resources efficiently for sustainable development.

13 Challenges and Opportunities: Mongolia & Water Rapid urban growth and industrialization has increased demand on resources; energy, water, and land. Addressing resource constraints is regarded as the most important challenge for sustainable urban development. Water consumption has doubled over last 20 years: it will double by 2030 and triple by 2040 Mongolia is facing growing water shortages & scarcity at a period of rapid economic transformation: - Ger access will increase overall demand - inefficient water distribution, - decreasing water resources (ground and surface water) compounded by climate change, - water pollution - lack of sanitation services

14 The Opportunities Fundamentally the shift is about how cities are to develop Cities that embark on a resource efficient and low carbon transformation will become more livable, competitive, sustainable and ultimately more successful Change requires breaking away from brown growth traps A quantum shift in thinking and action: governance, innovation, technology and enablers (esp. fiscal policy) Regional cooperation mechanisms: enhancing institutional strengthening & development; technology transfer; mobilization of finance: new normative frameworks for low-carbon urban development based on regional platforms of exchange

15 8 Essential transformations 1. Change the way we design cities: a paradigm shift in which sustainability moves from the periphery to centre of planning 2. Change the way people move: from private cars to public transport, from road to rail, mitigating need for movement 3. Change the way we design and operate buildings: from energy wasting to energy creating 4. Change the way we produce, transport and consume energy: improve the efficiency of the energy system and diversify to renewable energy sources 5. Change the way water resources are managed: develop ecoefficient approaches to water resources 6. Change the way solid waste is managed: turn waste from a cost into a resource 7. Address patterns of exclusion so that investment in people becomes the next driver of growth 8. Change the way cities are governed and broaden the stakeholders

16 4. CHANGE THE WAY WE PRODUCE, TRANSPORT & CONSUME ENEGRY Transition to a low-carbon economy: fundamental change of energy systems There is an urgent need to decouple urbanization, economic growth, high energy consumption and growing carbon emissions Some success: Shanghai through compact city design has declining carbon intensity per capita; Seoul committed to reduce GHGs by 40% by 2030 through energy efficiency; Tokyo 10 year project for a Carbon- Minus Tokyo through advanced energy saving measures & strict compliance

17 5. CHANGE THE WAY WATER RESOURCES ARE MANAGED Eco-sustainable water infrastructure: an integrated approach in water infrastructure development to achieve ecological & economic efficiency Eco-efficient water infrastructure requires a shift in policies, from piecemeal to integrated, and a shift in infrastructure design, from centralized single-purpose to decentralized and multipurpose Urban planning and infrastructure planning needs to integrate water supply, rainwater harvesting, wastewater treatment and recycling and flood control measures

18 De-linking: The Singaporean experience Source: Singapore Department of Statistics 2007 and Tay, 2008.

19 Challenges and Opportunities Energy-water efficiency in industry Greening Industries Enhancing industrial competitiveness Sustainable urban development Improving resource accessibility basic needs for life Reducing negative environmental impacts Improving public health

20 Green Development Strategy in Mongolia: How to operationalize the policy Recently, Green Development Policy of Mongolia has been passed by the Mongolian government Its concept of green city is one that ensures comfortable human living and development opportunities with smart energy, heating, water supply, communication, public transportation and optimal waste management infrastructure Strategic objective #1: Promote resource efficient, low greenhouse gas emission and wasteless production and services. Strategic objective #2: Preserve ecosystem balance through intensification of environmental protection and restoration activities and reducing environmental pollution and degradation. Strategic objective #3: Introduction of financing, tax, lending and other optimal incentives for supporting green economy and increasing investments to promote environmental protection, human development and clean technologies. Strategic objective #4: Promotion of green employment, poverty reduction and engraining/promoting green life style. Strategic objective #5: Promotion of Live in harmony with nature living and culture values and make education, science and innovation as catalysts for green development. Strategic objective #6: Develop and implement population settlement plan in accordance with climate change, availability of natural and other resources in regions and restoration capacity. (Resource: The Government of Mongolia, 2014)

21 THANK YOU