Authored by: Martin Lu, Emily Xu, Zhiyao Zhang, Yunxi Li, Liyang Che, Shengyuan Wang
Summary
Excessive urbanization has lowered the quality of citizens' lives to a great extent, leading to problems such as increasing traffic congestion, unemployment, and overuse of natural resources. Largely, these problems result from large cities' growing population. Our project aims to identify the benefits, purpose, and steps to building a sustainable green community where people, the environment, and businesses can thrive.
To begin with, our group brainstormed several significant challenges to focus on, such as overcrowding, housing problems, traffic, and outdated infrastructure. We tried to find the balance between continuous urbanization, environment, and residents. After considerable discussion, we identified and organized the root cause of the challenges into two significant parts: growing population and limited resources. Due to rapid development and urbanization in Chinese communities, it is vital to consider how to utilize the limited resources and avoid wasting them effectively. To effectively improve the quality of life in Chinese communities, a "sustainable community" should be considered carefully.
A sustainable community is a "place where current social, environmental, and economic needs are met while also ensuring that enough resources are left for the future" (Institute for Sustainable Communities, n.d.). A balanced relationship between people, the environment, and the economy is crucial in developing a sustainable community because they work interdependently to improve factors of quality of life. As the UN's 11th sustainable development goal suggests, building sustainable communities and cities would ensure better access to resources and green space and improve urban life through planning, management, and inclusion (Dimov, n.d.). To address and better understand the problem, our team paid attention to living standards, effects on nature, and the feasibility of implementing a sustainable community. We generated ten possible solutions/concepts, each with distinctive elements, to help transform society into one more sustainable. The fifteen minutes living circles were the core guideline to improve the human living experience. Ensuring residents' basic living needs within walking distance is a suitable option to reduce pollution and improve the convenience of urban life. The first point is transportation. We suggested optimizing paths and sidewalks to encourage low-carbon transit. Also, implementing underground tunnels is a proper way to decrease traffic congestion for long-distance travel. Secondly, we suggested creating a system to evaluate local water cycles. There is no doubt of the significance of cycling the water harvested, but before that finding, the most suitable way for different areas is even more critical. Lastly, for agriculture and business, we argued that decentralized agriculture in local areas reduces pressure on land and provides employment opportunities.
Moreover, to evaluate each solution, we graded and calculated the weighted average through three main factors: people, business, and environment. We made people and the environment account for 35 percent of the final grading after research, and we made the business account for 30 percent. As a result, the 15-minute life circle stands out from the rest, followed by implementing sustainable urban forests and decentralized agriculture models.
According to the evaluation system, we combined parts of our solutions, added some information about government policies, and finally developed our action plan. The action plan also includes a survey that we believe should be administered to obtain community input and tailor sustainable community development to residents' demands.
To better visualize our ten solutions, we made two prototype designs according to the action plan; one showcases a specific view of the residential buildings, while the other is a complete layout of a 15-minute living circle. Additionally, we have included a document with some images to illustrate our ideas better. The prototype designs make the action plan visible and clearly show how everything works.
Choose the Topic
Introduction:
Since the 1980s, people have increasingly criticized the tremendous impact of human activities on the environment (Bridger n.d.). Gradually, the public began to acknowledge environmental awareness and sustainability. The concept of sustainable development has drawn both public and political attention. Many sustainability supporters believe that, without affecting economic growth, it is essential to protect the environment to ensure adequate resources are available for future generations. All the while, the idea of sustainable communities emerged as a feasible solution to help advance sustainable development on a large scale.
The term "sustainable community" refers to a community built or modified to promote sustainable living by meeting the present's needs. It features high flexibility. The climate, economic status, political environment, and population density vary significantly from place to place. Globalization can help spread environmentally friendly technologies, but it is still hard for a country to promulgate a statute that applies to all areas. One of the advantages of using a sustainable community concept is that it can be adapted to different regions through minor adjustments. Also, sustainable communities emphasize not only the environment but the interrelations between society, economy, and ecology; it is a society that values equality, accepts diverse opinions, and welcomes people of different backgrounds while also eliminating the consumption of nonrenewable resources, protecting certain species from becoming extinct, and reducing pollution is another essential part of it. Then, the local economy develops, which includes reinvestment and creating enough employment opportunities in the local area. However, to achieve an equal society and a healthy environment, there also needs to be adequate financial support. Only then would these three pillars go hand in hand and result in a thriving, sustainable community that can raise people's quality of life.
Reason:
In the past, the idea of sustainable communities was more likely just a simple concept. Many parts of the world are working hard to make it a reality, including China. The overburdened public transportation system, increased environmental pollution, and the growing density of people in the cities all show the urgency of encouraging sustainability in China. Our team guides converting existing communities to sustainable communities and building future communities. We believe that making sustainable communities benefit China in three ways. Firstly, a sustainable community serves the residents. Today, people have less connection with their neighborhood for various reasons. Having no idea of the person who lives next door has been quite common in recent years. A sustainable community helps people rebuild strong relationships with their neighbors, strengthening the community and creating a virtuous circle.
Moreover, a sustainable community cares about the local nature. This strategy can protect nonrenewable resources, including water, land, and energy. In the meantime, it helps to raise people's awareness of nature conservation. Lastly, a sustainable community creates business opportunities for growth. The pandemic exposed the vulnerability of long-term dependence on overseas markets. China believes it is essential to develop the domestic cycle of production and consumption - the internal circulation. Building a sustainable community supports this idea by adding new jobs in the local area.
Identify the Challenges
Rapid urbanization has driven more people from suburban areas into the cities. Urbanization has also prompted greater industrialization and, to some extent, social development. However, the ways cities and communities are planned and organized right now are creating challenges with sustainability.
1. Crowding
The first challenge is overcrowding, which is seen in two ways in cities. The first is residential overcrowding, where many people are crammed into a limited area. Apartment complexes, condos, and row homes overly fill the city streets, leading many people to reside on only one city block. The second type of crowding is household crowding; dwelling units are usually too small because of the limited space in dense cities. Compared to the suburbs, where houses may be larger, cities often force many people to live in apartments/houses with limited space. This concern is exacerbated for those with lower incomes and thus decreases their living quality.
Moreover, housing is an additional problem for the citizens in big cities. Most housings in popular megacities are not affordable for many city residents, as housing prices in cities can be very high. For example, property prices in Hong Kong may exceed 32K USD per square meter, which is hardly affordable for regular white-collar workers (Numbeo, n.d.). Thus, cities need affordable housing to ensure safe and healthy living for all Chinese residents.
2. Transportation and resource accessibility
The second challenge is traffic, an essential concern for modern city planning and daily life. As the expansion of cities increases, the number of people depending on public transportation to travel to work, school, shops, entertainment facilities, etc., also increases (Peng, 2012). An urban resident may easily take an hour or longer to travel the same distance after crawling through traffic and stopping at every intersection or sitting and crawling along in long miles of traffic on an urban highway. In contrast, a person living in a rural area can likely drive ten miles to work in no more than twenty minutes. The more time people travel, the lower their productivity, which could have quickly gone into work and free time.
3. Old Infrastructure
Current cities are facing the problem of outdated infrastructure, which creates dangers and inefficiencies for the citizens using them. Despite decades past the end of their anticipated lifespans, roads and bridges are still operating. Water and sewer systems are deteriorating. Furthermore, the changing climate risks exacerbating current infrastructure weaknesses and revealing new ones. The years of use have made many buildings vulnerable to natural disasters like earthquakes. For example, in the cities of Puerto Rico, more than 600 schools on the island share a "short column" architectural design, making them vulnerable to tremors, earthquakes, and tsunamis (Rojas, 2021).
4. Social Challenge
As a city's/country's government tries to establish sustainable communities, they find themselves unable to achieve their goals without the support of the people. The lack of social engagement and interaction between governments and the people is taking a toll on China's sustainable development. One way to overcome this challenge could be massive government promotion. For example, the Chinese government has started using "grand rhetoric, " characterized by a heightened economic tone. Under this "grand rhetoric," slogans such as "ecological environment itself is the economy" and "the lush mountain with lucid waters is better than the mountain of gold and silver" appears on streets, newspapers, and other forms of media to raise public awareness about environmental protection (Xinhua, 2021). Through education and greater exposure, more Chinese residents would find urgency in becoming more sustainable and possibly work in sustainable-technology development or volunteer for local organizations.
5. Financial Challenges
Investment barriers between rural and urban regions are a significant financial challenge for creating a sustainable community in China. The highest GDP a province has in China reaches 862 billion dollars, but the lowest one only has 14 billion dollars in the first half of 2022 (Zhou, 2022). People who live in rural areas tend to migrate to large cities to find more employment opportunities, which causes faster economic growth in large cities (Ding & Li, 2019). The cost of implementing a new project requires a lot of investment and time. However, most vulnerable communities with less financial support may not be able to support the cost of changing from what they have and make drastic changes in their infrastructure. Similarly, the higher the demand for a community, the more likely governments will implement new projects for better development. This financial difference is one reason there is a growing difference between living qualities in large cities and suburban communities.
6. Environmental Challenges
The topography in China is diverse, and the landscape is significant. Southeast China is warmer, mountainous, and heavily industrialized, while up North, the climate is cooler and flatter and has experienced more significant deforestation (McGreevy, 2010). Due to this, different communities may face different environmental challenges to different degrees and have different design standards. The environmental and ecological benefits may vary depending on the available resources, the type of green solution, and the identified priority (Zuniga- Teran et al., 2019). As Chinese communities work towards sustainability, it is important to consider the situation, problem, relationship, and goals the community has with the environment. The most significant obstacle China might have to overcome is its relationship and dependence on the natural environment. With water and air pollution, biodiversity loss, desertification, and decreasing fertile land, the path to restoring and leading a healthy environment would take much time.
7. Governmental Challenges
As the world's largest exporting and manufacturing country, the goods that China produces and ships to other less-developed countries directly influence the sustainability of the less-developed countries. China's top exports mainly consist of computers and other related technology, which has a large carbon footprint (OEC, n.d.; Wu & Gupta, 2021). Additionally, China has promised to follow the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement and reduce carbon dioxide emissions (C2ES, 2015). However, the government's spending on COVID-19 mitigation measures and lack of incentives and policies to transition to renewable energy in recent years has curbed China's response to climate change (Baptista, 2022; Holzmann & Grünberg, 2021). Covid-19 is an example of how the Chinese government should continue to find a balance between focusing on current events and the environmental crisis.
Identify a Root Cause
1. Unsustainable consumption
Although there are several root causes of the problem we hope to address, the first root cause of an unsustainable community is that the average city-dweller consumes much more resources and emits far more greenhouse gas than their rural compatriots. If more people move into unsustainable cities, resource consumption will increase, meaning urbanization could lead to specific disasters, not just with the global climate but also concerning air and water pollution. For example, Switzerland, which is highly urbanized, needs an area more than 150 percent larger than its arable land just to feed its population (Lambin & Meyfroidt, 2011). Add in energy, consumer goods, and the consumption of other imports, and the alarming carbon footprints would only pose more significant dangers to the environment and people.
2. Old infrastructure
Urbanization has resulted in a growing number of slum dwellers, inadequate and overburdened infrastructure, overwhelmed services (such as waste collection and water and sanitation systems, roads, and transport), worsening air pollution, and unplanned urban sprawl. This increase in density would also lead to an easier spread of diseases. For example, the impact of Covid-19 was most devastating in poor and densely populated urban areas. For the one billion people living in informal settlements and slums worldwide, overcrowding makes it difficult to achieve basic hygienic practices, let alone follow the recommended measures such as social distancing and self-isolation. Food may also be a problem for bigger cities. The UN food agency, FAO, warned that hunger and fatalities could rise significantly in urban areas without measures to ensure that poor and vulnerable residents have access to food (Valencia, 2020).
Cities need resources such as water, food, and energy to be viable. Urban sprawl reduces available water catchment areas and agricultural lands and increases the energy demand. While better application of technology can boost agricultural productivity and ensure more efficient transmission of electricity, many cities will continue to struggle to provide these resources to an ever-growing urban population. Beyond these basic requirements, haphazard growth will reduce green spaces within cities, negatively affecting livability. (World Economic Forum, 2018) As freshwater becomes scarce and fertile lands diminish, food prices may escalate, hitting the poorest hardest.
3. Poor social-environmental relationship
The urban environment is an important factor in determining the quality of life in urban areas and the impact of the urban area on the broader environment. Some urban environmental problems include inadequate water and sanitation, lack of rubbish disposal, and industrial pollution (Torrey, 2004). These problems could cause the spread of respiratory and parasitic diseases. However, reducing the problems and ameliorating their effects on the urban population is expensive.
4. Original and old city layout
In China, the increasing amount of people moving to urban areas puts infrastructure and layout under pressure. More than 64.7 percent of the population lives in urban areas (Textor, 2022). Although construction has been popular in China for twenty centuries, a lack of affordable housing leaves the country unable to accommodate displaced residents (Maher, 2017). Additionally, the old layout of cities seems debilitating to the considerable rise in urban population. The crowded streets, heavy traffic and multiple problems need to be solved, resulting in an expensive constant cost.
5. Little investment and slow transition to sustainable infrastructure and technology
China has invested in solar panels and other sustainable energy sources, but coal plants still make up around 60% of power generation. Moreover, most cars and trucks in the country still operate on gasoline, which detrimentally generates greenhouse gases (IEA, 2021). Additionally, as China is filled with many different types of terrain (deserts, plateaus, plains, mountain ranges), some residents cannot easily access sustainable infrastructure and technology and are forced to rely on non-sustainable ones. China has the potential to be a global leader in sustainability; several problems and setbacks have not allowed the country to capitalize on its potential.
Generate Solutions
Based on the research on solutions, we have graded each based on three main elements: people, environmental, and business. Under each aspect, there are an additional three criteria that guide the evaluation. We have evaluated each solution not solely on environmental benefits because social, environmental, and economic factors all contribute to the success of a community. However, dividing the percent ratios of the three main elements was considered carefully.
Both people and the environment account for 35% of the final grading, which is higher than business. We believe the two aspects are more significant when building a healthy community because they would encourage sustainable living as a cultural change and technological development. Furthermore, business accounts for 30% of the final grading because it is still essential to consider the cost of developing a sustainable city, as well as the ability to maintain it. The local economy is also vital to consider because residents should still be able to earn an adequate income.
Each solution would be graded based on the nine criteria prompts on a scale of 1 to 10. The weighted average is then calculated based on the sum of the gradings and the percent ratio of each element, with a maximum grading of 30. From there, the solutions are then ranked based on the scores. From this grading system, we can ensure that our solution is most reasonable and beneficial for the community.
1. 15-minute life circle design and development: Due to its general and holistic concept, this solution receives the highest score in all three elements: people, environmental, and business. A 15-minute living circle effectively integrates all the necessary elements to pursue a sustainable, healthy, and greater quality of life, with accessibility as the primary focus. Additionally, this solution is highly customizable, allowing it to adapt to environmental, cultural, social, or economic differences. The 15-minute life circle has the greatest potential to foster a sustainable and green community.
2. Designing safer cycling paths and sidewalks: The second approach to making a community more sustainable is to implement safer cycling paths and sidewalks. Despite its mid-range score, the grading system based on our criteria shows that cycling paths and sidewalks can help with residents' health, make resources more accessible, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and is relatively easy to implement. With better cycling paths and sidewalks, more people would be incentivized to bike or walk around the community, which is also a form of exercise. Additionally, with more people biking and walking, communities would have to focus on making communities more tight-knit and compact. Not only does this decrease the time spent on transportation, but also indirectly connects with the 15-minute life circle, creating a community where all the necessary resources are available.
3. Optimizing shared bicycles and scooters: This solution draws from many communities that already have a shared transportation system in place. Providing residents with the ability to bike or scooter around would undoubtedly decrease the number of cars on the road. However, similar to safer cycling paths and sidewalks, bicycles and scooters might reduce efficiency and the motive to use this form of transportation without an adequately designed community.
4. Implementing underground transportation tunnels: Building underground transportation tunnels is a solution to overcome the challenge of limited surface space. Many large communities prioritize roads over parks, but by moving roads and large modes of transportation underground, there will be more space for parks and greenery on land. However, some disadvantages of this solution are the chances of increasing the usage of gasoline vehicles (maintaining or increasing greenhouse gas emissions), and it is expensive to implement and maintain.
5. Low impact-stormwater management systems: Low impact-stormwater management systems are vital in improving the environment and the connection with people. For example, it scored a 9 for its potential to improve environmental qualities in a community. There are different low-impact stormwater management designs, but they are similar in the way they utilize natural structures, plants, and space to store water. For this reason, it is one of the top 4 solutions on our list.
6. Evaluating local water cycles and patterns: This solution is more technical than physical, scoring mid-range on our criteria. One reason for this is the lack of tangible effects on the community. Although evaluating local water cycles and patterns would improve resource management and consumption, it is mainly a way to enhance the purpose of other solutions. For example, suppose a community has a distinct rain season that often leads to floods. In that case, this evaluation will work with the low-impact stormwater management system to prepare for the event. Evaluating local water cycles and patterns is not an acceptable solution within itself.
7. Implementing sustainable urban forests: This solution is straight forward and cheap to implement in a community with parks and greenery. More trees would improve the community's biodiversity and ensure greater access to the natural environment among the residents. Furthermore, urban forests and plants have also proven to improve well-being and mental health. In a study by Li et al., published by the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, plants can significantly benefit most situations dealing with a mood disorder, eating disorder, ADHA, and more (Li et al., 2021).
8. Decentralized agriculture models: Decentralized agriculture models range in size and purpose. However, there are three key benefits to this solution. Firstly, it can ensure sustainable and greater control of food production. Whether a large factory or a small initiative, decentralized agriculture adopts modern technology such as vertical and indoor farming. With the help of technology, decentralized farming practices can reduce water consumption, fertilizer runoff, and pesticides use. By farming in smaller portions and following seasonal growth, farming in the community can decrease food waste and be more environmentally conscious. Additionally, this solution can work with local businesses to improve the local economy and the residents.
9. Supporting local business and sustainable economy: This solution received the lowest score based on our criteria. It will be unsustainable to continue supporting local businesses through long-term funding. Although supporting these businesses initially would be beneficial, it is important for the community also to find ways to self-sustain their economy.
10. Designing collaborative working spaces for local productivity and interactions: There are several ways collaborative working spaces can be designed but similarly provide an environment for productivity, collaboration, and knowledge distribution. This solution provides a public space for residents to work outside their homes and access resources. Like some public libraries, these spaces can be used for community meetings and developing new initiatives. For example, community events and projects can be discussed and implemented in these collaborative working spaces to encourage residents to utilize community resources. However, this solution's direct impact on a community is unknown, which is why the score for this solution is low. Specifically, suppose it is not common for specific Chinese communities to want to work in a library and participate in community events. In that case, collaborative working spaces might not survive the purpose desired.
Identify the Criteria
Environment:
Reduced Energy Consumption/Sustainable Lifestyle:
1. Proper waste management ensures that any waste can be dealt with efficiently and effectively and not be thrown out into nature or end up in landfills. This may include options such as recycling and composting. Easily accessible marked trash cans in parks ensure that trash is not thrown into the wrong areas and that littering is minimal.
2. Community gardens and farmers' markets, which sell locally grown food, allow for local business growth and drastically reduce the cost of transporting produce from non-local farms via greenhouse-gas-generating diesel trucks.
Reduced Energy Consumption/Sustainable Lifestyle:
3. The community should seek to reduce its carbon dioxide (CO2) output into the atmosphere and utilize more sustainable energy sources, such as solar, wind, or hydroelectric energy.
4. Bike riding and walking eliminate the carbon dioxide output from a trip, whereas driving a car produces environmentally damaging amounts of CO2. If driving is essential, carpooling with others or using an electric/hybrid vehicle would be less damaging than driving a gasoline-powered vehicle.
People:
Quality of Life/Governance
5. The residents of the sustainable community can be happy in their life, and daily routines and activities are easily accessible. Public spaces are kept clean and organized so residents can enjoy their daily activities. Additionally, community leaders and organizers play an active role in the community and assist people in need.
6. Town halls are frequently held to allow the community's input in any upcoming projects and to inform them of their details. They can also gauge the community's overall satisfaction and opinions.
7. Implementation of volunteering programs boosts public engagement within their community and improves the quality of life. This includes park cleanups, invasive plant species removals, and elderly assistance, to name a few.
Business:
Beneficial to the Community/Low-Impact Infrastructure:
8. Local businesses and companies provide job opportunities for residents and residents access to their daily routines, such as grocery stores, farmers' markets, and restaurants.
9. High-quality local infrastructure will make the living experience in the community much better. Proper stormwater management systems ensure that during rainstorms, the effects of flooding are minimized, and property damage is reduced. Trees and parks allow for nature to grow in the community, creating microclimates and reducing temperatures during heat waves.
Positive Net Cost:
10. Implementing sustainable programs should come with a favorable net cost for the community. The community budget must be carefully considered to account for the cost of the new programs, such as the construction of a new building for usage as a gymnasium, expansion of a local forested park, or installation of innovative solar panels on top of homes. After the costs are considered, funds and resources should also be available for pre-existing programs.
Evaluate the Solutions
Based on the research on solutions, we have graded each based on three main elements: people, environmental, and business. Under each aspect, there are an additional three criteria that guide the evaluation. We have evaluated each solution not solely on environmental benefits because social, environmental, and economic factors all contribute to the success of a community. However, dividing the percent ratios of the three main elements was considered carefully. Both people and the environment account for 35% of the final grading, which is higher than business. We believe the two aspects are more significant when building a healthy community because they would encourage sustainable living as a cultural change and technological development.
Furthermore, business accounts for 30% of the final grading because it is still essential to consider the cost of developing a sustainable city, as well as the ability to maintain it. The local economy is also vital to consider because residents should still be able to earn an adequate income. Each solution would be graded based on the nine criteria prompts on a scale of 1 to 10. The weighted average is then calculated based on the sum of the gradings and the percent ratio of each element, with a maximum grading of 30. From there, the solutions are then ranked based on the scores. From this grading system, we can ensure that our solution is most reasonable and beneficial for the community.
1. 15-minute life circle design and development: Due to its general and holistic concept, this solution receives the highest score in all three elements: people, environmental, and business. A 15-minute living circle effectively integrates all the necessary elements to pursue a sustainable, healthy, and greater quality of life, with accessibility as the primary focus. Additionally, this solution is highly customizable, allowing it to adapt to environmental, cultural, social, or economic differences. The 15-minute life circle has the greatest potential to foster a sustainable and green community.
3. Optimizing shared bicycles and scooters: This solution draws from many communities that already have a shared transportation system in place. Providing residents with the ability to bike or scooter around would undoubtedly decrease the number of cars on the road. However, similar to safer cycling paths and sidewalks, bicycles and scooters might reduce efficiency and the motive to use this form of transportation without an adequately designed community.
4. Implementing underground transportation tunnels: Building underground transportation tunnels is a solution to overcome the challenge of limited surface space. Many large communities prioritize roads over parks, but by moving roads and large modes of transportation underground, there will be more space for parks and greenery on land. However, some disadvantages of this solution are the chances of increasing the usage of gasoline vehicles (maintaining or increasing greenhouse gas emissions), and it is expensive to implement and maintain.
5. Low impact-stormwater management systems: Low impact-stormwater management systems are vital in improving the environment and the connection with people. For example, it scored a 9 for its potential to improve environmental qualities in a community. There are different low-impact stormwater management designs, but they are similar in the way they utilize natural structures, plants, and space to store water. For this reason, it is one of the top 4 solutions on our list.
6. Evaluating local water cycles and patterns: This solution is more technical than physical, scoring mid-range on our criteria. One reason for this is the lack of tangible effects on the community. Although evaluating local water cycles and patterns would improve resource management and consumption, it is mainly a way to enhance the purpose of other solutions. For example, suppose a community has a distinct rain season that often leads to floods. In that case, this evaluation will work with the low-impact stormwater management system to prepare for the event. Evaluating local water cycles and patterns is not an acceptable solution within itself.
7. Implementing sustainable urban forests: This solution is straight forward and cheap to implement in a community with parks and greenery. More trees would improve the community's biodiversity and ensure greater access to the natural environment among the residents. Furthermore, urban forests and plants have also proven to improve well-being and mental health. In a study by Li et al., published by the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, plants can significantly benefit most situations dealing with a mood disorder, eating disorder, ADHA, and more (Li et al., 2021).
8. Decentralized agriculture models: Decentralized agriculture models range in size and purpose. However, there are three key benefits to this solution. Firstly, it can ensure sustainable and greater control of food production. Whether a large factory or a small initiative, decentralized agriculture adopts modern technology such as vertical and indoor farming. With the help of technology, decentralized farming practices can reduce water consumption, fertilizer runoff, and pesticides use. By farming in smaller portions and following seasonal growth, farming in the community can decrease food waste and be more environmentally conscious. Additionally, this solution can work with local businesses to improve the local economy and the residents.
9. Supporting local business and sustainable economy: This solution received the lowest score based on our criteria. It will be unsustainable to continue supporting local businesses through long-term funding. Although supporting these businesses initially would be beneficial, it is important for the community also to find ways to self-sustain their economy.
10. Designing collaborative working spaces for local productivity and interactions: There are several ways collaborative working spaces can be designed but similarly provide an environment for productivity, collaboration, and knowledge distribution. This solution provides a public space for residents to work outside their homes and access resources. Like some public libraries, these spaces can be used for community meetings and developing new initiatives. For example, community events and projects can be discussed and implemented in these collaborative working spaces to encourage residents to utilize community resources. However, this solution's direct impact on a community is unknown, which is why the score for this solution is low. Specifically, suppose it is not common for specific Chinese communities to want to work in a library and participate in community events. In that case, collaborative working spaces might not survive the purpose desired.
Make an Action Plan
With a growing population and increasing awareness of environmental issues, the need to implement sustainable communities is only increasing. More people are finding themselves in dense communities. However, without a sustainable community design, many are left in positions where they lack convenience and equal accessibility to resources like parks and efficient transportation while also being highly environmentally sustainable. For this reason, the significance of designing communities where people can live in relationship with the natural environment and human society is exceptionally high. By implementing the idea of a 15-minute living circle, residents will be able to have all the necessities to live, travel, and consume. This would decrease the excess transportation time and energy communities consume while ensuring that individuals receive more equally distributed opportunities. As a result, they are increasing the average quality of life.
Similarly, we can protect and restore people's relationship with the ecological environment through environmental initiatives such as proper stormwater management, greenery on buildings, and community events such as planting trees. Designs like vertical-indoor farming, accessible parks, and green roofs/walls can re-introduce the benefits of connecting people to sustainable and healthy living. However, as we plan to transition and implement sustainable communities in China, it is also crucial to consider the action plan. A plan of action would help guide communities wanting to become more sustainable and outline questions of consideration. For a successful result, here are our next steps:
1. Identifying the current situation of community layout:
The different topographic and geographic layouts can affect the specific design of a community. Whether improving an existing community or building a new one, we must identify the situation. Suppose we are trying to transition an old community into one more sustainable one. In that case, the cost of materials may be lower than building a brand-new community. However, there might be more regulations, planning time, and community demands to consider. Similarly, depending on the topographic characteristics of a landscape, the type of climate and weather, ecology, etc., can affect the design direction for a new sustainable community. For instance, if the region is prone to flooding and has a unique type of soil, then this would influence the type of natural stormwater management system that is put in place.
2. Determine the needs and wants of community residents:
Building a more sustainable community inevitably includes the people and residents. By administering a detailed and comprehensive survey (attached) and actively engaging with the residents, sustainable communities can be tailored to the needs and want of people. A flyer would also provide additional information on the different solutions and initiatives that contribute to making a more sustainable community. Citizens have different levels and demands for infrastructure service facilities (Wu et al., 2021). If they prefer more parks than space reserved for vertical farming, the community layout can be changed. Similarly, if most residents in the community are larger families and wish to live in lower buildings with more personal space, this would also affect the planning of building arrangements and road design. By allowing residents to provide some input on the community design, the future community would be more consistent with the population and most suitable for the situation (Wu et al., 2021). Additionally, the goal is to ensure everyone is comfortable and able to live a sustainable lifestyle without difficulties. If communities are not tailored for specific social and cultural needs, people would oppose the idea of a sustainable community and possibly find ways to live outside the community circle.
3. Government policies and guidelines to be aware of:
Specific communities in China have stricter building policies and guidelines. For example, implementing a new stormwater management system would need to follow water and land-use policies, property rights, plumbing and health codes, drainage codes, etc. (Li et al., 2017). For this reason, it is important to check local construction guidelines and ensure sustainable community plans follow local laws. This would ensure a positive connection between the government and project implementers and help project maintenance in the long run.
A. Transportation: As of 2015, Beijing's Code for Planning and Design on Urban Road Space states that sidewalks should not exceed 2 meters. However, there are some expectations, and based on a survey conducted by Jinyao Tao in Beijing, the width of a sidewalk can dramatically influence the experience pedestrians have (Tao, 2021).
B. Stormwater management: To implement a low-impact stormwater management system with a design like a park, we would have to consider building and design permits. For designs inspired by Sponge City, there are stricter regulations emplaced by the governments, which would need to be carefully considered.
C. Community tree management: Identify property permits and government policies involving planting a plant in a public area. Check to ensure that the planted tree is also native to the area: following the China National Biodiversity Conservation Strategy and Action Plan 2011–2030 and the Overall Plan of the Ecological Civilization System Reform (Gratzfeld et al., 2022).
D. Green walls/green roofs: Currently, there are few policies regarding installing green walls/roofs. The laws and management system for green space in China also do not consider green roofs. However, there are a few key considerations, including the base structure of the roof, the type of plants that will be used, the purpose, etc.
E. Decentralized agriculture: Decentralizing traditional agriculture practices may affect the lives of farmers or individuals working in the agriculture industry and management. Since decentralized farming is not a popular form of food manufacturing, there should be more policies to support this concept. Additionally, companies should work with governments (local and/or national) to develop regulations to manage data collection, production quality, and energy input (Zhou et al., 2022).
F. Local Businesses: Although not directly connected with the environment, local/national governments in China have their way of regulating businesses, the services they provide, and their relation to the community. It is essential to follow these policies and acknowledge the different levels of business that are possible.
4. Costs of implementing each solution/idea:
The cost of each solution may vary in different ways. For example, building a whole 15-minute life-circle community would cost more than setting up a vertical farm. Similarly, improving an old community to a 15-minute circle community would cost less than starting from nothing. Based on estimates, here are some of the costs for each potential solution:
A. Sustainable Community: Based on the China Academy of Urban Planning and Design estimated that around 300 to 500 renminbi would be invested into each square meter of the new park in Beijing (Bradsher, 2021). Of course, most cities are likely cheaper than Beijing, meaning about $15 billion is invested annually in new parks (Bradsher, 2021).
B. Stormwater management: The cost of implementing Sponge City is estimated at around US$ 15-22 million for each square kilometer. Right now, the Chinese government is also working to provide financial assistance for three years (Liang, 2018). The cost of low-impact stormwater design would depend on the type of design and its mitigation range. However, it can range from a few million to hundreds of millions.
C. Community tree management: Connect with different organizations in China that focus on tree planting initiatives. Most of the time, they would expect some type of donation, but other than the donations and some volunteers, tree planting events are easy to administer.
D. Green walls/green roofs: Right now, there is a lack of research, investment, and scientific knowledge on management. Depending on the scale, the cost of implementing it would vary. From Shenzhen Garden Research Institute, constructing a 1 square meter green space in the city's center costs about 3,000 yuan. However, constructing a green roof would cost about 100 yuan per square meter (Wang, 2019).
E. Decentralized agriculture: In the US, it costs about $18.3 million to build 280,000 square feet of commercial greenhouse (Wang, 2021). This cost is expected to be lower in China because of its greater control environment technology and lower construction costs.
F. Local Businesses: There are a few ways to support the local economy and businesses, including government grants/support and making these shops more accessible. With accessibility, the more familiar residents are with the shops, the more likely they will purchase from these places.
5. Maintenance of each solution:
A. Sustainable communities: Maintaining a sustainable community can refer to different aspects of the community. Environmentally, community members should strive to ensure a clean environment for everyone to thrive. This may include picking up one's garbage, taking care of the public property, vocalizing concerns, and being thoughtful of other residents in the community. Additionally, governments should be flexible, provide greater resources for small businesses, invest in sustainable technology and research, and create updated policies for future sustainable communities.
B. Transportation: Roads and sidewalks should be regularly checked for sources of safety concerns. If there are any significant damages, efficient restoration and construction measures should quickly be in place. For safer biking and walking, governments should also update old traffic lights to include better timing.
C. Stormwater management: Depending on the specific stormwater management solution, there are different approaches to maintaining the system. In some cases, the maintenance might only include frequent checks, while at other times, data from the technology must be carefully regulated and controlled.
D. Community tree management: This solution is primarily dependent on the contribution made by the community and its residents. To maintain this community involvement, there must also be a continuous engagement, education, and excitement from the residents. Additionally, green space in a dense community is predictably limited. However, by working with national organizations, residents can find ways to engage in environmental- awareness events in other communities.
E. Green walls/green roofs: The steps to maintaining a green wall or green roof would depend on the type of plants on the structure, the purpose, and the technology. Currently, not enough research is done on the technology to maintain green walls/roofs and ensure they are efficient at promoting sustainability and a healthy environment. However, as companies begin to promote this future concept, it would be essential to consider whether community residents would have the ability to help maintain these infrastructure designs.
F. Decentralized agriculture: With the developing technology of indecentralized agriculture in China, maintaining these farms is more technically demanding. With the help of sensors, most things in a highly technological farm can be automated and controlled off-site. However, on a smaller farm, it is possible to provide residents with volunteer opportunities and even a job in helping to maintain simple aspects: such as technology malfunction or spreading awareness on the benefits of decentralized agriculture.
6. Public awareness and engagement:
Living more sustainably is a challenge the whole world is finding solutions to. Although the ability to design and build a sustainable community is vital and can help push greater technology advancement, we also need people to take their actions. Residents should be aware that the sustainable solutions, the 15-minute life circle, natural stormwater management systems, decentralized farming designs, etc., would give them an easy way to contribute to the environmental crisis. However, this also means that they should be more willing to consume more sustainably (reducing fast fashion practices, food waste, and living with an environmental conscience), engage in community planning and events, and develop stronger community bonds and trust. We can instill connection and engagement through public education, community volunteering (overlooking the farms, parks, and public spaces, organizing events like planting trees), and advertising. Once residents feel more connected to their community, especially with a sense of responsibility to act sustainability, they would be more likely to show awareness and appreciation for what a sustainable community can provide. In addition, it would reduce social challenges like the marginalization of minority groups and help create a community that is more open to supporting each other.
Prototype and Test
Prototype Design
The prototype was first designed using PowerPoint and hand-drawn icons. As we continued developing the project and identifying focus points, we created a 3D model using Sketchup to illustrate our ideas better.
The prototype design for the 15-minute community was built with the criteria and plans of action in mind. Our design works to display our idea visually, but the structure is generalized so that communities can work to customize the design best to fit the environment, people, and businesses.
First, the figure exhibits a close-up view of a sustainable neighborhood. In the center of this neighborhood sits a reservoir, which provides residents with an excellent place to socialize and go for walks. The reservoir is also linked to an advanced rainwater management system that infiltrates the whole neighborhood—specifically, the reservoir branches off to different tunnels connecting the north-facing apartments' rooftops. The water tanks are installed on the north side because it receives the least sunlight. Therefore, water evaporation is reduced significantly, and most water would retain. The rainwater management system would supply water for all the vegetation in the neighborhood and be used in domestic cooking and drinking after it has been filtered. Nevertheless, the south side would receive the most sunlight. Thus, solar panels are installed on the roof of south-facing apartments for electricity generation, converted into various kinds of energy, thermal energy for domestic heating, wind energy for cooling, and light energy for illumination.
On the rooftop of the east and west-facing apartments, gardens are installed for growing seasonal fruits and vegetables. The rainwater filtration system would provide a clean water supply for these crops.
Overall, the water system circulates within the neighborhood to supply water and prevent the overuse of water. A garbage/recycling station is built on the southwest side of the neighborhood. Residents are required to classify their garbage into organics, mixed paper, recyclables, and landfill garbage; they also need to deposit them in the garbage disposal center to be carried to the dump station of the community for other processes. A grocery store is located at the center to supply fresh and healthy food for the residents within the neighborhood, reducing conveyance costs and pollution created by exhaust pipes. Lastly, the vegetation and plantation encircling the neighborhood minimize noise pollution and provide privacy for the residents.
In addition, figure 2 (below) shows the complete arrangement of a 15-minute city plan. This design follows the central motif of creating a strong sense of community within an area and developing a balanced relationship between people, the environment, and the economy. Many user-friendly designs that are environmentally sustainable are enhanced to the prototype to make people's lives more comfortable and adaptable. Namely, several social/ leisure areas are installed within the community to build stronger bonds between neighbors and encourage a sense of community. Bike stands are readily accessible for all and present in all blocks of the community to encourage residents to reduce their usage of cars. Train stations within the community are accessible within 15 minutes of biking distance. The installation of parks enables citizens to connect to nature, so they become aware of the environmental hazards. Trees and crops were planted every block to increase biodiversity and minimize carbon emissions. All buildings are designed in a way that suits sustainability and comfortable living. Several gyms and fitness centers are installed for people to pursue a healthy lifestyle. Schools are distributed evenly throughout the area, and small kindergarten/daycare centers are located near office buildings, so parents do not have to worry about their children during work. This would also reduce unemployment, significantly boosting the economy for more sustainable innovations. Recreational centers such as cinemas and theaters are also widely distributed within the community so people can get off their phones and socialize with real-life friends. Apart from the small grocery stores accessible within each community, large grocery/department stores with fresh, local foods are also accessible within a 10-minute cycling distance if something is missing from the grocery store within the community. Senior care centers are also present in the community for elders seeking assistance. They are close to the hospitals so that they can seek medical attention in time. The community is designed to encourage its residents' sustainable and healthy lifestyles.
Feedback Learnt From Users
As part of the Action Plan, a survey has been created to collect information on a community and the residents. Based on the collected data, sustainable initiatives can be designed, tailored, and applied to a community to fulfill specific purposes and needs. This would ensure maximum benefit and support each community's unique journey to becoming more sustainable.
We uploaded the 2D plan and some pictures of the 3D model of the prototype on our social media to collect comments from our friends and others. Our most frequent comments were that they "absolutely love the design" and "dream of living in such a community in the future". Many netizens are aware of the rising energy bill and the inflationary pressure. They are hoping to find a place where it can be sustainable without paying for the energy bill. Our design predicts the ongoing global energy crisis, and many people already echo the solution. Interestingly, most Chinese netizens agree with promoting shared bicycles and scooters. However, American netizens fear the inconvenience of not driving cars in their daily routine.
We also printed the 2D plan and brought a computer with the 3D model on the street to interview people of different ages. Of the 14 people we interviewed, four are aged above 60, 3 are between 30 to 60, 5 are between 18 to 30, and 2 are below 18. The elders above 60 mentioned that "the hospital and parks are the most useful facilities," and they like them to be built near their homes. People between 30 to 60 have different opinions about the design. They are concerned with all details and resist moving into a new environment. Some are also concerned with the working environment and said they need better working spaces. People between 18 to 30 are excited about the idea and enjoy the convenience that the 15 minutes living circle can bring and enjoy living in a place surrounded by all the necessary facilities. To our surprise, the 18 to 30 age group is keen on growing vegetables indoors and would like to get their hands dirty to plant their food. People below 18 are interested in the prototype and suggest building more sports fields and entertainment facilities for them to hang out. They are also interested in vertical farming and using sustainable energy as a source of energy. Therefore, we see that most age groups are interested in our prototype design but may still need to build more differently to facilitate all needs.
Improvement for Next Iteration
For the next iteration, we will continue to examine the solutions and identify whether they apply to all Chinese cities. From there, we can identify the limiting factors for improvement. To better understand specific communities, we will study king water, air quality, soil quality, and biodiversity health. To live in a sustainable community, drinking water should be considered because some cities in China do not have a safe drinking water system. We will also study how many people in China ride a bike daily and consider other options such as public transportation, clean air buses, etc.
Based on the survey data and interviews with local community residents, we will continue to revise our solution design, search for sustainability experts and seek professional feedback, and prepare a more detailed plan for each solution idea, including implementation cost.
With the growing trend of globalization, the people that reside in a community can come from different cultural and social backgrounds. We will create plans to help bend cultures, thereby adding and encouraging greater diversity in the community. Not only does this allow people of different backgrounds to collaborate, but it is one of the best ways to mitigate socio-economic segregation and inequalities; this is also the 10th UN Goal for sustainable development.
We are also exploring different possibilities of a green economy for sustainable communities to generate profits for residents. Sustainable machinery and automation can be installed for agricultural production to support a growing population during future development.
Connections between buildings to build a friendly social atmosphere were not directly listed in the general plan. We wish to seek methods to encourage communities that embrace each other with warm hearts, and we would like to foster emotionally supportive and united communities. This could be carried through a psychological path to determine what plans are suitable to build stronger connections between community members. For example, children at school are taught 'how' and 'what' it means to live in a sustainable community and the importance of good character.
Since our solutions for a sustainable community encourage low-carbon transportation methods, with fewer people buying private cars and more people taking shared bicycles or buses, there is a possibility that places like car parks will be empty. However, such spaces can alternatively be used for commercial purposes, such as stalls and farmer's markets. The community can also increase and continue to invest in transportation to increase the convenience of traveling, such as automatic driving buses.
With the advancement of sustainable energy generation, we believe the solar panels will improve the generating efficiency that can supply an amount of energy over the consumption of the community. The excess energy could then be integrated into the national network of powerlines to support energy consumption across the nearby region. Moreover, with more comprehensive teaching and knowledge in sustainable energy consumption, we believe that communities would decrease their demand for excess amounts of energy.
Numerous cities in China are already working to become more sustainable. We will further improve our ideas and action plan through case studies on local communities and reflecting on past experiences.
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