Urbanization and the Environment: A Thesis

Tillburg planners use a problem-solution strategy that will be familiar to many CEOs and corporate executives. The basic process is as follows:

1. problem recognition - to identify all problems in the neighborhood;

2.agreement - to discuss the results together;

3.the solution - how the recognized problems can be solved;

4.the responsibilities - who is responsible for carrying out the solution;

5.the agreement - are individuals and organizations in agreement with the solutions. (Unesco, 2008d).

Every city planning commission could benefit from this example.

Slide 6

Banana Kelly Community Improvement Association

The Bronx Center Project encompasses a number of cooperative efforts ranging from economic development, health and human services, education, culture, housing, and transportation (Unesco, 2008e). This project highlights the need to attack community programs at the root of the problem. Moving out of degraded communities is not the answer. Revitalization is an excellent use of existing resources. Instead of using new resources and allowing those in local communities to go to waste, community revitalization can be an important strategy for existing communities

Slide 7

Project of Lots and Services for low income population on the North Zone

This project highlights projects for low-income family groups in Buenos Aires, Argentina. It is being carried out by APAC, a civil association of non-profit organizations designed to help improve conditions in the community (Unesco, 2008f). It focuses on the basics such as:

1) water supply system

2) electricity supply system

3) road constructions

4) open rainwater drainage system

5) light pillars

6) streets lighting (Unesco, 2008f).

Once again, this project demonstrates that problems that are more complex will not go away until the basics are fixed first.

Slide 8

Achieving Balance in a Complex World

Winners of the 1995 Dubai Awards demonstrate that institutions and local communities work together to achieve a balance between the needs of a growing global population, while still working to protect the environment.These projects demonstrate that it takes a coordinated effort between city planners, local citizens and non-profits groups. The solutions presented here also prove the need for local community involvement. Local citizens must be willing to take the initiative to help themselves. Local governments provide the resources to allow them to accomplish their goals.

The carrying capacity of the environment is already strained and humans must work together for their own survival. As many other species have demonstrated, we can only continue to diminish our resources at the current rate for so long. This represents the greatest challenge yet, to humankind. However, as these award-winning projects demonstrate, this is not an impossible task.

References

RaphaelK. (n.d.). Ethiopia. Retrieved October 10, 2008 at http://www.raphaelk.co.uk/web%20pics/Ethiopia/Ethiopia.htm

Unesco (2008a). Institutionalizing Community-Based Development. Unesco. Most Clearing House. Retrieved October 10, 2008 at http://www.unesco.org/most/africa17.htm

Unesco (2008b). A Women's Self-help Organization for Poverty Alleviation in India: SEWA I India. Retrieved October 10, 2008 at http://www.unesco.org/most/asia1.htm

Unesco (2008c).Shelter Upgrading in Agadir, Morocco. Retrieved October 10, 2008 at http://www.unesco.org/most/africa3.htm

Unesco (2008d).City Management in Tilburg: Past, Present, and Future. The Netherlands. Retrieved October 10, 2008 at http://www.unesco.org/most/westeu14.htm

Unesco (2008e). The Bronx Center Project - "Don't' Move, Improve." Retrieved October 10, 2008 at http://www.unesco.org/most/usa1.htm

Unesco (2008f). Project on Sites and Services for Low-Income Family Groups. Argentina Retrieved October 10, 2008 at http://www.unesco.org/most/southam1.htm......