102 practice makes perfect Advanced English Reading and Comprehension
management and Band-Aid solutions, which they hope will get them reelected. In the end,
demands on failing services increase, an outdated infrastructure deteriorates, and poverty spirals
downward into crime and despair.
8 So, are cities doomed to spread like cancers, devouring more agricultural land, wetlands,
and sensitive natural habitats, or to stagnate like gigantic pools lacking the oxygen required to
renew themselves? Or can our cities be saved, and even turned around, before it is too late? Can
sustainable development meet “the needs of the present without compromising the ability of
future generations to meet their own needs,” as stated in the Brundtland Commission’s 1987
report, Our Common Future, and create sustainable and vibrant cities?
9 In the 1960s, the concept of urban ecology emerged from the growing awareness of cities’
impact on the environment. In 1975, the nonproit organization Urban Ecology was founded in
Berkeley, California, with the purpose of rebuilding cities in balance with nature. he 1992 Earth
Summit in Rio de Janeiro established Agenda 21, a plan for the sustainable development of cities,
and in 2002, 1,200 representatives (including 200 slum dwellers) from 80 countries participated
in the irst World Urban Forum, making urban ecology and sustainable eco-cities based on envi-
ronment, economy, education, and equity more than just a nice idea.
10 Ideally, ecological cities should provide a high quality of life for their citizens while using
minimal resources and reducing waste. Ten Ecopolis Development Principles identify how
greener, safer, and healthier cities can be achieved.- Restore degraded land As stewards of the earth, people must clean up contaminated land,
reestablish natural vegetation, designate green spaces, and encourage urban agriculture. - Fit the bioregionUrban settlements should conform to natural cycles and climate condi-
tions, conserve and recycle resources, and use local materials to construct buildings that it in
with the landscape. - Balance developmentUrban expansion should occur within the limitations set by nature
and leave a minimal ecological footprint on surrounding rural areas. - Create compact cities Cities can end urban sprawl by expanding vertically and creating
high-density, walkable, and bikeable cities with an integrated public transportation
network. - Optimize energy performancehis means not only conserving energy and decreasing
overall consumption, but also using eicient and locally generated renewable energy sources
and incorporating energy-saving technology into building design. - Contribute to the economy Ecologically responsible industries and enterprises can pro-
vide stable employment, attract investment, and keep money in the local community. - Provide health and security A safe, healthy environment ensures a safe, healthy
community. - Encourage communitySince every resident has a vested interest, active citizen participa-
tion in decision-making and planning is key to a city’s future. - Promote social justiceCitizens must have equal rights and equal access to afordable
housing; public services, facilities, and spaces; and local government information. hey must
be included in the democratic process. - Enrich history and culture As cultural meccas, cities should function as cultural caretak-
ers and encourage diversity, creativity, and celebration.
hese ten principles sound like a pretty tall order, but as Curibita and Hammerby Sjöstad demon-
strate, sustainable cities are doable.