CEE Oct-Dec 2012

Sustainable Development HORSES RULE THE STREETS IN DUBAI'S SUSTAINABLE CITY In a bid to create a healthier, less energy– intensive life-style, Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, is planning its very own 'sustainable city' -where horses will be the main form of transport. Diamond Developers announced plans for the 743,000 square-meter city last April , home for 10,000 residents or 2,500 families. Groundwork is expected to be laid this year for construction, which will be complete by 2016. Courtesy: Urban News Digest, July 2012, P21. BRING BACK TRAMS! Cities urged to reintroduce cheaper, greener transport The Ministry of Urban Development has urged metropolitan cities to consider re-introducing trams after a study by the Institute of Urban Transport revealed the tram is a cheaper, more environmentally friendly form of transport. Trams could be introduced along Bus Rapid Transit corridors, the ministry said. The Munici pal Corporation of Delhi had planned to re-introduce trams in Chandni Chowk. "As late as 1963, trams were an important mode of public transport in Chandni Chowk," said one official. He added, "The trams are an eco-friendly mode of transport and are extremely cheap. In Kolkata, for instance, trams cost as little as Rs 2." Courtesy: Urban News Digest, July 2012, P21. UN CHIEF LEADS NYC BIKE RIDE TO PROMOTE URBAN CYCLING United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki– moon pedalled his way round Manhattan, as part of a campaign to promote urban cycling. The ride took the cyclists from the UN Plaza on the bank of the East River to the Third Avenue offices of the Netherlands Mission to the UN, which organized the ride. "I would much rather see bicycles and bike– riders around here than the limousines, armoured SUVs and other gas-guzzling cars that we all use at the United Nations," Ban told fellow riders. Courtesy: Urban News Digest. July 2012, P21. WORLD DECLARATION- WATER STORAGE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT In 2050 world population will likely exceed nine billion inhabitants The global increase in population, both rural and urban, and the socio-economic development with increasing living standards for all, will continuously raise the requirement for water, food and energy consumption. Populations will continue to concentrate in cities where the need for water, food and energy will be most acute. The rapid population growth and socio-economic development means that by 2050: The continuously increasing demands of water, food and energy will challenge the natural resources. We need to face this exceptional situation because at the same time: Due to climate change, water distribution may become more irregular, and disasters related to fl oods and droughts will worsen. Energy sources are limited: Fossil energies are polluting and emitting greenhouse gases and their reserves are limited; Nuclear energy is restricted to industrial countries which have the technology and the security of nuclear energy has aroused people's wide concern; Variable renewables such as wind and solar sources are valuable and should be developed as much as possible; however, they need back up. Hydropower can play this role, but policies and markets are not encouraging this. Water is precious and water storage infrastructure will become increasingly important! Water storage infrastructure, providing multiple water services, is vital for human development. Out of the 40,000 km 3 of freshwater available each year, only 9,000km 3 /year is accessible. Through the construction of more than 50,000 large dams and millions of small reservoirs throughout the world over the past 5,000 years, many communities are able to enjoy reliable water servi ces. These water storage facilities regulate about 4,000 km 3 /year. 58