The future of SUSTAINABLE SMART CITIES - Urban Transition 2.0
Greg Langley
The urban transition – a concept rooted in reshaping city landscapes for sustainability – has evolved into a new phase known by some as ‘Urban Transition 2.0’. This integrates principles of sustainable urban design with advanced technological infrastructures to create environmentally friendly, intelligent and efficient cities.
Peter Calthorpe, a visionary in sustainable urban design, has long emphasised the necessity of ending urban sprawl (the spreading of urban developments near to cities). In his work with the World Bank, Ending Sprawl: Urban Design Standards for a Resilient and Sustainable Future, Peter identifies sprawl as a critical issue plaguing cities since the end of the Second World War and contributing to long commutes, environmental degradation and socio economic segregation.
Sprawl, characterised by low-density, car dependent development, leads to numerous urban pathologies such as isolation, poverty, pollution and economic stagnation. Peter advocates for four primary principles to address sprawl:
- Diversity: Creating human-scale, walkable environments with interconnected blocks and mixed-use developments to foster a diverse population and reduce car dependency.
- Walkability: Designing neighbourhoods that prioritise pedestrian accessibility and connectivity.
- Preservation and conservation: Protecting natural resources and green spaces while revitalising degraded urban areas.
- Connectivity: Developing well-connected transportation networks integrating various modes of travel to enhance accessibility and reduce congestion.
He argues that these principles are universally applicable, whether in high-density sprawl regions like China, low-income sprawl areas such as Lagos or Nairobi, or high-income sprawl regions prevalent in the Western world.
Peter Calthorpe, Architect, Urban Designer and Urban Planner
“Protecting natural resources and green spaces while restoring degraded urban areas is essential, as is connectivity. Cities need well-connected transportation networks that integrate various modes of travel to make them more accessible and reduce congestion.”
The Denver Stapleton project illustrates the Calthorpe principles. Transforming a decommissioned airport into a mixed-use community, this project emphasizes walkability, diverse housing options and extensive open space, highlighting a model for sustainable urban redevelopment.
Peter says: “It is recognised as one of the largest and most successful infill projects in the US and, upon completion, will have converted 7.5 square miles of runways and terminals into a community for 30,000 residents, created 13,000 jobs and provided 1,100 acres of new parks and open space.”
Another example is the Grand Boulevard concept for California. The plan is to convert underutilised commercial strips into mixed-use, mixed-income housing, integrating transit, bikeways, and green spaces. For example, Peter has identified that underutilised land lining the Inner Bay Area’s 700 miles of arterials totals 15,400 acres. This could provide up to 1.3 million new houses with 260,000 affordable units close to jobs and existing services.
“This infill housing strategy would upgrade dying strips without disrupting stable neighbourhoods or displacing existing housing,” Peter comments. “At the same time, existing road spaces can be converted from auto-only asphalt nightmares into liveable, multi-modal boulevards with new transit, bikeways, trees and generous sidewalks.”
1 Smart cities: The next frontier
A critical component of the urban transition is the notion of smart cities, where digital infrastructure plays a crucial role in enhancing urban living.
2 The role of AI
AI will play a crucial role in the urban transition by enhancing planning, management and operational efficiency.
