Ayotunde Dawodu

Introduction: Climate Change and Cities—Perspectives, Planning and People

This chapter serves as the introduction to the book, first focusing on the issues of climate change and its impact on cities. It sets the scene, discussing climate change as a major threat to stable city life. The narrative begins with an overview of facts about climate change, as well as highlighting the related global directions, pressures and challenges for cities. The second part of the chapter argues against top-down practices that are often ineffective in combating climate change matters. By following this structure, we highlight three pillars that relate to climate change—namely, perspectives, planning and people. Through the discussion of various perspectives, we explore the roles of different stakeholders and their views on climate change mitigation and sustainable urban development.

Stakeholder Methods to Climate Change and Sustainable Development

This chapter reviews the history and typologies of stakeholder participation. Stakeholder participation is generally defined as the process whereby individuals and groups take an active role in decisions that affect them. In this case these decisions are based on the impact of climate change on their cities. Hence, a brief history of the bottom-up approach is discussed, as well as the typologies that are based on different degrees of participation. Brief examples of how these typologies affect projects that are directly or indirectly linked to climate change decisions are also discussed. The reviews of the approaches are accompanied by diverse examples related to sustainable development goals, climate change and sustainable urban development.

Sustainable Urban Development in the Age of Climate Change

This chapter provides an overall review of the perspectives and roles discussed so far, and summarises options/opportunities and potential possibilities for future directions. The arguments are enriched through discussion of scenarios and examples that are covered throughout the book, so as to provide a comprehensive picture of sustainable urban development, successful implementation of sustainable development goals (SDGs) and climate change mitigation solutions for cities from the ‘people’ dimension. The chapter also includes the development of an SDG best practice participation template, which is supported by an extensive checklist of the whats and hows in participatory processes. By arguing in favour of participating in association with people, we move back to the ideals of grassroots thinking and initiatives that are context specific and nurtured by locals.

The Review of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): People, Perspective and Planning

This chapter focuses on a review of sustainable development goals (SDGs). A meta-analysis of published articles on urban planning and SDGs is investigated to judge the general scope and trend of the current situation. This is followed by commentaries on key SDGs and case study examples. For this chapter points of focus are SDG 3 (no poverty), SDG 4 (quality education), SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation) and SDG 13 (climate action). The SDGs are observed to be adopted to alleviate socio-economic and institutional lapses; only after this, does climate change become a realistic target. Explanations of why SDG 13 takes a back seat to other SDGs are offered, and this is followed by recommendations of how this can be reversed.

Case Study Reviews: People, Perspective and Planning

This chapter establishes the links of sustainable development goals (SDGs) to sustainable urban development (SUD). It briefly addresses the 17 SDGs and key indicators used to measure the success of each SDG. Well-established best practices are used to assess the impact of people in participatory practices in order to achieve SDGs, SUD and invariably mitigate climate change. This is done by analyzing ten case studies. The results consider the relevance and impact of bottom-up processes, type of participation, appropriate level of engagement, best practice procedures, proffer solutions and tailor methods according to various perspectives. The case studies provide an even spread of countries, providing much-needed context and a clear global outlook.

Designing Residential Microclimates: Malhar Eco-Village in Bangalore, India

Developing country cities are mostly in hot climtes and are growing very rapidly. Their future energy and environmental impacts are a major concern. Global examples show that developments can be planned and built in a more sustainable way—without significantly higher costs. In addition to choices of building typology, density, height and layout, the green infrastructures of open spaces, vegetation, parks and water features provide fresh air and recreation, but also filter pollutants and are a key to urban ventilation. If well planned they help to make a city less polluted, healthier and also cooler, considerably reducing the city’s energy needs and costs. Some of the most effective environmental planning is simple and inexpensive. One hears often that sustainable solutions are either expensive, or difficult for city authorities to enforce. But there are pragmatic approaches and policies which do not needlessly hinder developers or require heavily restrictive planning.