GEL Topic 2: Sustainable Development

Economic (GDP), life expectancy and adult literacy rate

Economic, Social & Environmental

To ensure that all human beings can enjoy, prosperous, fulfilling lives and economic progress can occur in harmony with nature

By ensuring that a neighbourhood has a high enough population density to support local businesses, keeping transport and infrastructure costs low. Businesses can grow due to sufficient demand.

Buildings and facilities are located close to one another. Hence, residents do not need to travel far, keeping their transportation costs low. Transport infrastructure may also be located closer to one another as they need not be built over long distances

To ensure that societies are inclusive and resilient where residents have a voice

By ensuring residents feel included and have a sense of identity. This can be fostered by having shared community spaces to promote social interactions.

The Residents’ Networks (RN) promotes neighbourliness and community cohesiveness amongst residents with each neighbourhood divided into smaller zones

To sustainably manage natural resources and take urgent action on climate change to support the needs of present and future generations.

By providing ample protection for nature, providing facilities that support waste minimisation and recycling and providing energy and water-efficient design approaches for buildings and landscapes

Wildlife can thrive in urban spaces and human-wildlife coexistence can be fostered. Biodiversity in urban neighbourhoods can be maximised by having a wide variety of habitats including street trees, pocket parks and roof gardens of variety.

Conveniently placed recycling facilities such as recycling bins encourage people to recycle especially with a higher population density in a neighbourhood as adequate waste can be collected.

Buildings and landscaping may be designed to be energy and water efficient to minimise the use of resources such as water and electricity. E.g cool paint being used by HDB under Green Towns Programme —> lower temps by up to 2 degrees —> less electricity needed for cooling

A geographic area where living communities and non-living environments interact with each other to form a bubble of life

They refer to the benefits brought about by nature to people

provisioning, regulating, cultural, supporting

They refer to tangible resources that people can get from ecosystems such as food, water and wood. E.g. Food grown in urban community gardens on rooftops of Tampines’ HDB Blocks

They refer to the benefits obtained from the regulation of various ecosystem processes such as climate regulation, flood regulation and air quality regulation E.g. Bishan-Ang Mo Kio park having trees to lower surface and air temperatures via shade for residents

Trees result in lower surface and air temperatures and provide shade for residents.

Vegetation cover reduces surface runoff by retaining water in soil which reduces flood risk

Trees help to remove pollutants such as carbon dioxide from the air

They refer to the intangible benefits people obtain from ecosystems such as aesthetic experiences, educational opportunities and recreational activities which relieve stress

Bukit TImah Nature Reserve is a site for residents to engage in recreational activities like hiking as well as educational oppurtunities for geography students conducting fieldwork

They refer to the services that are necessary for the functioning of all other ecosystem services.

Since they support the functions of other ecosystem services, their benefits are more indirect but just as essential

soil formation from breaking down of organic matter by micro-organisms and physical processes as well as pollination

They refer to a process, phenomenon, or human activity that may cause loss of life, other health impacts, property damage, as well as social and economic consequences that are natural or man-made

Common causes include unattended cooking and faulty electrical appliances and wiring which ignite nearby flammable materials, resulting in a fire.

People may suffer from burn injuries if they are unable to evacuate in time, which can lead to disabilities and death. Commercial and residential properties can also be destroyed leading to economic losses like goods and furniture

It is caused by the presence of contaminating or polluting substances in the air that do not disperse properly and hence interfere with human health, welfare and cause other harmful effects

Respiratory infections, heart diseases and lung cancer. PM2.5 or particulate matter like soot, dust and liquid droplets also cause lung function decline in older adults and high exposure to nitrogen dioxide increases risk of asthma in children

Speeding, red-light running and drink-driving which are caused by irresponsible motorists who put other road users and themselves at risk.

People may suffer from serious injuries when involved in a traffic accident leading to disabilities and death with the elderly and motorcyclists accounting for a high percentage of traffic accident victims

Actions by individuals or groups —> protect, care for or responsibly use the environment —> seek to conserve natural resources, preserve nautral environment, repair human damages to environment and reverse them

share knowledge about importance of healthy ecosystems —> greater awareness among residents on how to protect and responsibly use the natural environment

Different stakeholders with different perspectives, resources & expertise can enhance environmental stewardship if they work together.

Liklihood of damage to properties, injuries, and loss of lives from a disaster in a given period of time

Nature of hazard: its characteristics, Vulnerability: The conditions determined by physical, social, economic & environmental factors, Exposure: The situation of people and their belongings to the impacts of the hazards

Refers to plans and actions that are implemented to prevent new risks from happening, reduce existing risks and manage disaster risks

SCDF conducts a Community Emergency Preparedness Programme (CEPP) teaching key lifesaving skills & important emergency procedures

SCDF’s Public Warning System (PWS) is a system with a network of sirens at strategic locations throughout the city warning the public of imminent threats that may endanger lives or property

Refers to the ability of a community to resist, adapt to and recover from impacts of disasters in a timely and efficient manner

Residents can be encouraged to get to know their neighours —> they can depend on one another during an emergency e.g. the People’s Association (PA) organises a wide range of community activities aimed at doing the above

Reisdents can be involved in planning processes that involve community leaders, civil society organisations & the government —> minimise potential hazards in the neighbourhood —> better understand the risks and adaptation options to communicate to government

In singapore, Community First Responders (CFRs) volunteers are important in supporting the government in search and rescue operations, relief work and educating the public on simple first-aid and firefighting