Urban Sustainability: Sustainable Cities — GCSE Geography Revision

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What is Urban Sustainability: Sustainable Cities?

Urban sustainability means managing a city in a way that meets the needs of the present population without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This involves balancing social, economic, and environmental factors. Key strategies include creating green spaces, improving public transport, providing affordable and energy-efficient housing, recycling waste, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

Board notes: A key contemporary topic for AQA, Edexcel, and OCR. Students are expected to know a range of sustainable urban strategies and be able to apply them to a case study of a UK city and often a city in an LIC/NEE. Freiburg in Germany is a commonly used international example.

Worked example

Common mistakes

• 1Thinking sustainability is only about the environment. A truly sustainable city must also be socially sustainable (with a sense of community, safety, and equity) and economically sustainable (providing jobs and opportunities for all).
• 2Assuming sustainable living is expensive and difficult. Many sustainable practices, like cycling instead of driving, reducing food waste, and conserving water, can save people money and improve their health and well-being.
• 3Believing that only new, purpose-built eco-cities can be sustainable. Existing cities can be made much more sustainable by retrofitting buildings, investing in public transport, and creating more green spaces. London's Congestion Charge and cycle superhighways are good examples of this.

Urban Sustainability: Sustainable Cities exam questions

Exam-style questions for Urban Sustainability: Sustainable Cities with mark-scheme style solutions and timing practice. Aligned to AQA, Edexcel and OCR specifications.

Frequently asked questions

• How can transport be made more sustainable in cities?

  Strategies include improving and integrating public transport (buses, trains, trams), creating dedicated cycle lanes and secure bike parking, promoting walking through pedestrianisation, and discouraging car use through congestion charging or low-emission zones.

• What is an urban green space?

  Urban green space refers to any vegetated area in a city, including parks, gardens, playing fields, and street trees. These spaces are vital for sustainability as they help to reduce air pollution, lower flood risk, provide habitats for wildlife, and improve residents' mental and physical health.