Sustainable Cities: Living Spaces of the Future

In today’s world, the importance of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) continues to grow. As the global population increases, the role of cities in sustainability becomes even more critical. However, this growth also brings numerous environmental and social challenges. This is where the concept of sustainability and sustainable cities comes into play. Sustainability has become a key factor in shaping our future and preserving the planet’s resources. In this article, we explore what sustainability and sustainable cities mean, why they are important, and highlight some exemplary practices in the field.

What is Sustainability?

Sustainability is often associated primarily with environmental factors, but it encompasses a broader perspective. Understanding how sustainable cities are built requires grasping the core concepts and goals of sustainability. Sustainability addresses ecological, economic, and social dimensions, aiming to enable humans to use the Earth’s resources efficiently while ensuring a livable future.

It is based on the principle of “triple gains”, seeking simultaneous benefits in environmental, social, and economic aspects.

The Three Dimensions of Sustainability

Sustainability is essential to provide future generations with a healthy and livable world. Its three interconnected dimensions are:

1. Economic Sustainability

Economic sustainability refers to a system that can continuously produce goods and services, maintain manageable government and external debts, and avoid extreme sectoral imbalances that harm agriculture or industry. It emphasizes developing new technologies, increasing efficiency, and ensuring sustainable economic growth.

2. Environmental Sustainability

Environmental sustainability involves preventing the overuse of renewable resources and consuming non-renewable resources only when sufficient substitutes are available through investment. This dimension focuses on mitigating climate change, protecting biodiversity, and reducing environmental pollution.

3. Social Sustainability

Social sustainability ensures equitable access to resources and services, including healthcare, education, gender equality, and political accountability. It aims to reduce poverty, provide quality education and healthcare for all, and create equal opportunities.

These three dimensions are interconnected: economic sustainability requires environmental and social sustainability; environmental sustainability is essential for economic sustainability; and social sustainability underpins both economic and environmental stability.

The Importance of Sustainable Cities

Currently, 55% of the world’s population lives in cities, and this is expected to reach 68% by 2050. This underscores the need for cities to adopt sustainability principles systematically to reduce environmental and social impacts.

Sustainable cities integrate economic, environmental, and social sustainability:

• Economically sustainable cities: Increase efficiency, utilize renewable energy, and reduce environmental impacts while maintaining economic growth.

• Environmentally sustainable cities: Work to mitigate climate change, protect biodiversity, and reduce pollution.

• Socially sustainable cities: Reduce poverty, provide access to quality education and healthcare, and promote gender equality.

Sustainable cities are the cities of the future, ensuring a healthy and livable world for coming generations. Achieving this requires all stakeholders to collaborate and embrace sustainability principles.

Case Study: Denmark

Denmark’s experience during the 1973 oil crisis played a pivotal role in its sustainability journey. The crisis forced the country to reduce dependence on oil and ensure energy security.

Following the crisis, Denmark began investing in renewable energy and developed policies to encourage wind, biomass, and solar energy. Measures were also implemented to improve energy efficiency.

Today, Denmark is recognized as one of the cleanest and most sustainable countries in the world.

Key achievements include:

• Wind Energy: Denmark is a global leader, generating 40% of its electricity from wind.

• Biomass: Around 20% of electricity comes from biomass, showcasing widespread adoption.

• Solar Energy: Approximately 5% of electricity is produced from solar power, with continuous growth.

• Energy Efficiency: Regulations for building efficiency and consumer awareness campaigns have significantly improved energy use.

Sustainability is no longer optional—it is essential for cities and societies worldwide. Countries and cities that embrace these principles today will be better prepared for the challenges of tomorrow.