Urban Consolidation and Environmental Sustainability
Urban consolidation is a rising issue in amny capital cities and could have a dramatic effect on the environmental sustainability of Australian cities in the near and distant future. “Urban consolidation policies concentrate on increasing housing densities in the large cities to produce more compact development, shorter travel distances and less dependence on automobiles.” (Forster 2004, p.171). Some of the main negative issues that is caused by urban consolidation are a drop in value of pre-existing suburban housing, an overload of public resources in over-crowded cities and traffic and transport inconviences. There are many benefits to urban consolidation which involve lower short term envirnomental impacts and high levels of convience, but at the same time there are many disadvantages which are discussed in this essay.
The policies of urban consolidation are surrounded by the idea of building large cities upwards, rather than outwards. This means that they are focussing on constructing multi-story facilities close to the centre of the cities. “more compact development would reduce the rate at which urban expansions consumes good agricultral land and threatens sensitive natural environments” (Forster 2004, p.171). Existing housing urban housing and facilities must be demolished to make way for new high rise structures. This indicates that for many australians who have worked hard to buy/own their own home in the inner suberbs of major cities, it will be a struggle for them, due to the fact that their house/dwelling or property will decrease in value.
As the population increases, the total of vehicles increases aswell. “In 1945 there were 100 cars per 1000 people, by 1970 there were almost 500 cars per 1000 people”(Forster 2004, p.17), this will cause traffic congestion within the cities. As a result of traffic congestion, pollution levels will increase. This will negatively affect peoples health and well being. Along with the inconviences of urban
The policies of urban consolidation are surrounded by the idea of building large cities upwards, rather than outwards. This means that they are focussing on constructing multi-story facilities close to the centre of the cities. “more compact development would reduce the rate at which urban expansions consumes good agricultral land and threatens sensitive natural environments” (Forster 2004, p.171). Existing housing urban housing and facilities must be demolished to make way for new high rise structures. This indicates that for many australians who have worked hard to buy/own their own home in the inner suberbs of major cities, it will be a struggle for them, due to the fact that their house/dwelling or property will decrease in value.
As the population increases, the total of vehicles increases aswell. “In 1945 there were 100 cars per 1000 people, by 1970 there were almost 500 cars per 1000 people”(Forster 2004, p.17), this will cause traffic congestion within the cities. As a result of traffic congestion, pollution levels will increase. This will negatively affect peoples health and well being. Along with the inconviences of urban