The last hundred
years have been the most astonishing for the human civilization. We
exponentially moved from being simple folk to sophisticated people. Technology
has advanced to such an extent that we need to go out of our homes – rather sit
in a room and manage everything from business to laundry.
These hundred years
saw the biggest mass exodus of people from rural areas into cities. The city
provided them with a vision of a successful future – to be rich and famous.
Industries and business established themselves around them, housing blocks
sprung up like trees in a forest, cars and busses flooded their roads – this
was any city, and where money flowed like water.
Hundred years later, big
cities still attract people. Industries still building more plants, everyday
hundreds of cars add to the already congested roads – however bad, the city
life still charms many.
Technological
advancements have made us conscious about our lives. Health is an important
concern that we carry. Hygienic food, clean water and unsullied air are luxuries
we yearn about – but we are deprived of all three at times!
So do you live in a
healthy city? Is your city green?
Introspect on the
following points and find out!
- A public park in each residential area:
A public park is an
area that is full of greenery and has facilities for recreational activities
for residents of all ages. The biggest ‘green’ advantage of a park in an area
is that it helps contain the high pollution levels and provides cleaner air,
and cooler temperatures to its residents.
Now consider your
city – does it have a park in every area?
If yes, give it one
point!
- Factories must be away from residential areas:
Factories are an important source of localized
pollution – both air and water. By establishing industrial areas away from
residential zones, localized concentration of effluents can be prevented. This
in turn would aid in ensuring good health amongst the citizens.
Is the industrial
area of your city away from the residential areas?
If yes, give it
another point!
- Bus terminals should be away from the city, but not far away:
If the bus terminals
are inside the city, they increase traffic congestion and result in greater
vehicular emissions – more pollution! It also increase noise pollution through
constant hoot of these giant vehicles.
On the other hand if
the bus terminals are located far away from residential areas, then more fuel
would be burnt to reach them.
Now this one’s a
tough one.
Decide carefully
whether to give your city another point or not.
- A good public transport system:
Having a well-connected
and well-established public transport system reduces vehicular pollution and
traffic congestion (and its associated
problems), as people tend leave their personal vehicles at home.
This one’s easy to
judge.
So go ahead and
continue the count.
- No car zone in trade hub:
A commercial zone /
trade hub is generally the busiest most populated part of the city during
business hours. Most traders or customers tend to bring their personal cars to
work / finish their shopping. Parking becomes a big problem, and many a time
most of the road is taken up by parked vehicles. This increases traffic jams
and as a result increases vehicular emissions resulting in greater localized
pollution.
Is the trade hub in
your city car free?
If yes, your city has
won another point!
- Strict building construction norms:
Building construction
norms must be environmentally friendly and strictly implemented. For examples,
all buildings must have their own sufficient parking spaces; have efficient energy
consumption systems; good ventilation etc. Unsustainable construction should be
banned.
Go ahead, and judge
your city. Does it get another point?
- Ample space for walking:
A green city must
have adequate foot path, walkways, skywalk etc. to aid people commute locally
by foot. These pathways must be clean and well maintained. No parking or
vending should be allowed on them.
Now, this one’s
simple.
Did your city just gain
an important point?
- Separate lane for bikers:
This is applicable
only for developing countries where motorcycles and bicycles are a widely used
mode of transport. Having a separate lane for bikers would help increase safety
standards on the road. It also helps decrease traffic congestion.
So are bikers safe in
your city?
If yes, add another
point to the tally.
- Effective garbage collection and disposal system:
Now this is a very
important system. An effective garbage collection and disposal mechanisms has
many advantages particularly with respect to health. Accumulated heaps of
garbage are excellent breeding grounds for bacteria, viruses and rodents – all of
which cause diseases.
Do you have a good
garbage handling system?
If yes, this one’s a
big plus point. Add one to the tally again.
- Efficient sewage water treatment plant:
An efficient sewage treatment plant has many
advantages – from reducing fresh water demand to preventing soil / water body
pollution. An excellent drainage system, without any leaks is an integral part
of this mechanism.
A little hard to
judge, but then go ahead.
Now you have thought
about it, judged your city and assigned it points for various parameters. It’s
time to pronounce the judgment.
Enter
your city’s name and the points out of ten against it in the comments section
below. (For example: XYZ city – 5/10)
Let’s
compare our cities and may this exercise help us plan and improve ours’.
