Due to the disruption of the natural balance, city life now needs to continue in an environmentally conscious, eco-friendly way so as not to endanger human life

THE EXCESSIVE AND UNCONSCIOUS use of consumer goods all around the world has been increasing global pollution and disrupting the ecological balance gradually. Scientists say that this negative scenario will drag the humanity into great disasters if it continues the same way or even worse if it in- creases. Thus, the need to continue industrialisation in an environmentally conscious way that does not jeopardise human life is of paramount importance.

THE CONCEPT OF SUSTAINABILITY IS GETTING MORE AND MORE FUNCTIONAL

Industrialisation increased urbanisation rates and city populations, leading to environmental issues in cities. 2000s saw the peak of these developments. In addition to climate change, the growing population has increased its use of fossil fuels and agricultural lands unconsciously and decreased forestation. And increasing droughts all together deteriorated the structure of the atmosphere. Due to this struc- tural issue, many cities with unplanned urbanisation have started to become warmer than rural areas. As a result, cities started facing climate issues such as air pollution, drought, excessive temperature or coldness, and the disappearance of mid-seasons. Decreasing agricultural productivity, increases in food prices, and pollution of water resources are among many other environmental issues. All these have led to the need for a sustainable planet and a city life, where the natural balance is maintained, and concepts such as “urban sustainability”, “sustainable cities”, “ecological cities” or “green investment” have emerged. This structuring means that the development of densely populated cities, “metropolises”, need to be integrated with economic, social, and environmental sensitivities. If adopted, this structuring will be the only urbanization system used around the world.

SUSTAINABLE URBANISATION IS COMING TO SAVE THE WORLD

Cities especially need to focus on sustainability. The reason for this is that metropolitans are the main consumers of many materials, primarily the natural resources, and the main producers of pollution and wastes. For this reason, they need to keep up with the modern era without ignoring their own roles in economic growth, and without compromising nature and human life. The keyword here is again sustainable structuring. How can we describe a city life that prioritizes sustainable structuring and eco-friendly urbanization? Including many concepts such as “renewable, ecological, eco-friendly”, this structuring maintains all of its features in compliance with the natural life cycle. They can be de ned as responsible buildings designed with a holistic approach, complying with climate data, consuming only what it needs, turning to renewable energy resources, and not generating waste. Research shows that crowded buildings and urban settlements increase CO2 emission by 40%, leading to global warming. This lifestyle is also responsible for 12% of water use, 65% of wastes, and 71% of the generated electricity consumption. A study con- ducted in the USA revealed that with “ecologist” buildings, energy consumption will decrease by 24-50%, CO2 emission by 33-39%, water consumption up to 40%, and wastes will decrease up to 70%.

ARTİCLE: GÜLTUĞ ERDÖL