GEOFF GHITTER, UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY SYSTEMS THINKING AND
SUSTAINABILITY
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SUSTAINABILITY AND SYSTEMS What kinds of things are we
describing when we use the adjective sustainable Systems Relations
between elements are the crucial focus of attention We are
sustaining the relations between objects in systems Flows of
energy, material, creativity, money
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COMPLEX SYSTEMS Many moving parts which have rich interactions
Non-linear (indirect causation, multiple causation renders system
unpredictable) Feedback loops (system responds to environmental
stimuli) Dissipative (needs refueling) Have a history (systems age
as they evolve over time) Focus shifts from part to whole
Hierarchically nested in time and space
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MANAGING FOR SUSTAINABILITY Clayton and Radcliffe 1993 First
post-Rio attempt to account and plan for the sustainability of
systems that are complex
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MANAGING FOR SUSTAINABILITY In Calgary this resulted in a
flurry of activity Sustainable Suburbs Study (1995) Calgary
Transportation Plan (Go Plan, 1998) MDP 1998
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MANAGING FOR SUSTAINABILITY An example of a Sustainability
Assessment Map (SAM).
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WHAT IS THE MANCHESTER PROJECT? Conceptual design idea to
transform a carbon-intensive, inner city industrial zone into a 21
st century sustainable, carbon- positive neighbourhood?
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WHY MANCHESTER? Intensity of mix Proximity to centre Existing
Infrastructure History and ethos Lack of residential NIMBY
Relatively low-value building stock at or near end of lifespan
Expansive, underdeveloped, inner-city land
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THE SUSTAINABILITY VISION FOR MANCHESTER 2000 100,000
residential 22k jobs 35K+ jobs Mix of commercial/retail/industrial
AND residential High quality internal mobility network and Transit
oriented development (TOD) Life is rich without needing a car
Abundant housing choice, much that is affordable to blue collar
families
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THE SUSTAINABILITY VISION FOR MANCHESTER Carbon emissions
reduced 80% from 1992 levels (Kyoto targets are more ambitious than
current policy ) District energy solutions (electricity and heat)
Locally grown food Local solutions for the sustainable use of water
and the sustainable processing of waste water
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CARBON EMISSIONS AND URBAN SUSTAINABILITY
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Ecologically sound Operates in harmony with natural systems Net
zero housing, Vauban district, Freiburg, Germany
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CARBON EMISSIONS AND URBAN SUSTAINABILITY Economically viable
Jobs are maintained locally Infrastructure remains affordable
(discourages urban sprawl) Industrial redevelopment, Hammarby-
Sjstad district, Stockholm, Sweden
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CARBON EMISSIONS AND URBAN SUSTAINABILITY Socially just Housing
opportunities across range of economic circumstances Accessibility
to services for all income brackets High level of citizen
participation in development decisions Vauban district, Freiburg,
Germany
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CARBON EMISSIONS AND URBAN SUSTAINABILITY Dense and compact
Cost is lower and efficiency higher when the design is compact
Vauban district, Freiburg, Germany
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CARBON EMISSIONS AND URBAN SUSTAINABILITY Mixed-use
Residential, commercial and light industrial are situated near each
other Land use and transit planning is integrated Mixed-use
neighbourhood, Laim district, Munich, Germany
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CARBON EMISSIONS AND URBAN SUSTAINABILITY Transit- oriented
Heavy emphasis on public transit Arabella TOD, Munich, Germany
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CARBON EMISSIONS AND URBAN SUSTAINABILITY Vauban district,
Freiburg, Germany Transit- oriented Minimize usage of private
automobiles wherever and whenever possible
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THE MANCHESTER DISTRICT
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SYSTEMS THINKING IN MANCHESTER Held a workshop in May 2013 was
held (65 diverse participants) to investigate the barriers and what
it would take to convert Manchester to one of these sustainable
places Express goal of the workshop was to integrate thinking from
different system perspectives into a strategic action plan
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SYSTEMS THINKING IN MANCHESTER Divided into seven knowledge
spheres (subsystems) which were later united into a coherent
statement of barriers and scenarios for confronting and overcoming
the barriers Although new technologies are expected to play a role
in future sustainability a lack of technology was considered a
barrier to achieving sustainability
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SYSTEMS THINKING IN MANCHESTER Seven knowledge spheres 1.Food,
waste, water; 2.Governance 3.Land use 4.Energy 5.Transit 6.Housing
7.Industrial development
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10 BARRIERS TO THE VISION 1.Planning System Inertia, Land Use
Zoning and The Triple Mix 2.Infrastructure Financing 3.The Business
Case 4.Entrenched Attitudes and Behaviours vis-- vis the Private
Automobile 5.Land Ownership and Fragmentation
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10 BARRIERS TO THE VISION 6. Inability to Think Long-Term
7.Integration and Connectivity 8.Stigma associated with former
industrial areas 9.Contamination 10. Governance
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CONCLUSION Sustainability isnt easy Collaboration and
consultation; real listening Inclusivity, hear all voices Framework
for integrating knowledge spheres (silos) Technology is not a
barrier to sustainable urban redevelopment