Abstract
The rise in the influence of sustainability principles has resulted in an almost overwhelming number of methods for defining, measuring and assessing sustainability and liveability. For such assessments to be accurate they must have a clearly defined 'sustainability and liveability space', be designed for the context in which the measurements are to be taken, evidence a clear causal chain and make explicit interdependencies. The degree to which current methods meet these criteria is varied. This paper introduces the City Analysis Methodology (CAM), an innovative urban analysis framework for holistically measuring the performance of UK cities with regard to sustainability and liveability. It demonstrates the need for, and defines the parameters for, interventions that enhance rather than compromise wellbeing and provides a model for other countries to leverage the sustainability and liveability of their cities. The paper concludes with an application of the CAM to the design of city infrastructure.
Highlights
The world is facing considerable challenges around urban sustainability and resilience, and it is widely accepted that there is an imperative to act quickly if serious environmental, social and economic consequences are to be avoided in the future (UK National Ecosystem Assessment, 2011; UN, 2012; WWF, 2014)
This paper proposes that liveability and sustainability can, and should, be inextricably intertwined, incorporating societal and planetary wellbeing within the context of low-carbon living and resource security
It is intended for the City Analysis Methodology (CAM) to become a methodology, usable by those seeking to create a more sustainable and liveable urban future, and to this end it is being tested by the Liveable Cities team in the UK case study cities of Birmingham, Southampton and Lancaster to explore its robustness in different city contexts
Summary
The world is facing considerable challenges around urban sustainability and resilience, and it is widely accepted that there is an imperative to act quickly if serious environmental, social and economic consequences are to be avoided in the future (UK National Ecosystem Assessment, 2011; UN, 2012; WWF, 2014). The professionals who shape our cities are educated, trained and practice according to theories and experience derived largely through a single discipline, such as architecture, civil engineering or planning (Cooper et al, 2009; Frey, 1999; Lombardi et al, 2012) This entrenchment in a disciplinary silo, perpetuated by professional qualifications and language, facilitates the analysis, design and implementation of solutions to the complex challenges that cities pose for sustainability and liveability – but only according to the discipline which has driven the analysis. In order for cities to move towards increased sustainability and liveability, it is important first to understand how cities function and how well they perform This provides a baseline against which to identify and prioritise aspects that would benefit from change and assess the impact of any proposed interventions. It is intended for the CAM to become a methodology, usable by those seeking to create a more sustainable and liveable urban future, and to this end it is being tested by the Liveable Cities team in the UK case study cities of Birmingham, Southampton and Lancaster to explore its robustness in different city contexts
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