Over the years, smart city has become an important topic, and it is only possible through innovations in sustainable urban services. The relationship between citizens and services must be understood to make cities capable of managing existence in a more coordinated and efficient manner, thus improving problems of urban growth, participation, sustainability, innovation, and security.
What are Sustainable Urban Developments?
Sustainable urban development is defined as fulfilling the needs of the present generation without compromising or neglecting the needs of future generations. Including cultural, institutional, ecological, political, economic, and social components, it aims to improve the standard of living of the citizens without leaving a load.
What are Some Examples of Sustainable Innovation?
Some interesting sustainable innovations are:
- AI-focused alternative
- Biodegradable food packings
- Biofuels
- Carbon dioxide reducing robots
- Edible cutlery
- Garbage bin for the oceans
- Green cryptocurrency
- Solar generators
- Storing renewable energies
- Sustainable finance
- Sustainable plastics
- The sharing economy
Also Read: What is Sustainable Energy?
What are the Forms of Sustainability?
Three major types of sustainability are:
- Economic sustainability
- Environmental sustainability
- Social sustainability
How Can Sustainability be Improved in Urban Areas?
70% of the total global waste is produced and 80 percent of energy is consumed by urban areas, so it is important to make urban areas more sustainable and healthier.
1. Urban Agriculture
It could be made by encouraging the idea of urban agriculture that can reduce the production of carbon dioxide which is produced by the transportation of items from villages to cities.
2. Waste reduction and management
This allows the selling and production of more fresh food in urban areas. With this comes the responsibility of waste reduction and management. There is not only food waste but also non-used or not recycled produced dumped promoting landfilling, so biodegradable waste and not biodegradable waste must be separated.
Food waste can be used for the production of biogas and possible non-biodegradable waste can be recycled for future use.
3. Afforestation
With all these practices citizens must also be pushed towards afforestation as green spaces are reduced from cities which is having adverse effects on health and sustainability.
Rural areas must be connected with the nearby cities so that both can be benefitted. Urban areas can easily get labor force, food, and water supply whereas villagers can get employment.
How to Make Innovation Sustainable?
Organizations need to reduce negative social and environmental impacts such as by reducing packaging and using renewable energy. They are also required to change their working systems or habits without disturbing the business models. Companies can also create or manufacture products that can promote environmental good such as the innovation of biofuel from coffee waste.
It is true that sustainability cannot be achieved by a single organization or firm, so firms should need to collaborate and exchange ideas to contribute a positive impact on the environment. Companies must change their idea to create new rather than create better and in this way, only innovations in sustainable urban services can be provided.
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