TOPIC 7 - Wicked problems that people who live in modern cities experience
Problems:
With the technological changes and evolving modern landscapes, modern urban areas and the people living in it often face wicked problems of complex nature. In this blog post we will shed light about some of these challenges faced by these residents.
After conducting a thorough and extensive research globally, the results shows that urban dwellers residing in cities like Sydney, Los Angeles, Berlin, Amsterdam, and Tokyo suffer from unreliability and overall inefficiency of transportation. (Kobori, et al, 2020.) In cities like Los Angeles and Sydney, public transportation is famously known to be extremely unreliable and poses an inconvenience to the residents.
Furthermore, they experience high car expenses when opting for personal transportation as an alternative. Since the people of Sydney and LA have to rely heavily on personal vehicles, they often have to face the disturbance of being stuck in traffic congestion. (Kobori, et al, 2020.)
Not only this but it contributes to environmental pollution and intensify the financial burden for these individuals. (Kobori, et al, 2020.) They often must deal with traffic congestion and environmental pollution. Not to mention, residents have extremely limited alternatives along with high car expenses if they opt for personal transportation option. Similarly in cities like Tokyo where using bicycles are seen as as inconvenience because of the road distances, having limited public transportation options are vital. (Kobori, et al, 2020.) These challenges, highlight the need for innovative solutions.
Fathimath Sha’aa Shakeel (TP077220)
References
Kobori, H., Ellwood, E. R., Miller-Rushing, A. J., & Sakurai, R. (2019). Citizen Science. Elsevier. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/urban-ecology#:~:text=Urban%20Ecology%20is%20generally%20accepted
As the problems of global warming comes climate change and increased natural disasters, urban dwellers face a lot of challenges. The lack of resilience built within the cities are a huge concern by the residents. (Elliot, Borunda, 2020) Through research and findings it is evident that cities like New York City are a target point for natural disturbances such as hurricanes, which destroy the cities infrastructure completely, creating a disruption in people's lives and strain social-ecological systems. (Elliot, et al, 2020)
The aftermath of these disasters worsen the vulnerability of less wealthy communities, making their recovery period to be stretched on as their access to resource and services are limited. At these times it is seen how people interact, their belief systems, government decisions, money situations and the environment all connect together in complex ways.(Elliot, et al, 2020)
To address these wicked environmental issues one must have an understanding of the urban system. The need for understanding the interconnectedness and the need for solutions and better strategies to enhance resilience is key.
Syeda Niba Batool Zaidi (TP078538)
References
The User Persona (or personas) is developed using data to
vividly depict the user you are aiming to design a solution for. It is not
solely based on one individual's interview but rather a combination of multiple
individuals, where their feedback, criticisms, and viewpoints intersect. (Lymburn,
2020)
It mirrors the diverse population of contemporary city
residents, such as those living in Sydney, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Berlin, and
Amsterdam, as previously mentioned. Despite the variety, a common theme arises:
the heavy reliance on cars as the main mode of transportation, despite the
associated expenses and inconveniences. (Owens, 2019)
For example, in
Sydney, residents highlight the lack of reliability and efficiency in public
transportation as a major obstacle to its usage, leading to a preference for
driving. Conversely, in cities like Berlin and Amsterdam, where cycling and
public transit are more common, cars are mainly used for specific purposes like
shopping or trips to the airport. (Owens, 2019)
On the other hand,
Tokyo residents encounter difficulties with cycling due to long distances and
road conditions. (Owens, 2019)
This persona encompasses a wide range of urban commuters,
each facing distinct challenges and behaviors within the transportation realm.
By comprehending their motivations and frustrations, we can customize solutions
to encourage alternative modes of transportation, ultimately aiming for a more
effective and environmentally friendly urban setting.
Aishath Alwa Shafeeu (TP074478)
References
To solve the wicked problems of resilience against climate change and infrastructure susceptibility to natural catastrophes in modern cities, numerous solutions might be implemented:
- Green Infrastructure Development: To counteract the consequences of global warming, cities should invest in green infrastructure such as green roofs, permeable pavements, and urban trees that reduce heat island effects and improve stormwater management (United Nations, 2017).
- Climate-Resilient Urban Planning: By implementing resilient urban planning methods such as zoning rules, construction requirements, and land use management, communities can better resist natural disasters including floods, hurricanes, and wildfires (IPCC, 2014).
- Community Engagement and Education: Educating and raising knowledge about climate change adaptation and disaster preparedness empowers residents to take proactive action and build resilience at the grassroots level (Aylett & Betsill, 2017).
United Nations. (2017). Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction 2019. United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction.
IPCC. (2014). Climate Change 2014: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability. Part A: Global and Sectoral Aspects. Contribution of Working Group II to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Cambridge University Press.
Aylett, A., & Betsill, M. M. (2017). Embedding Climate Adaptation in Local Community Plans. Global Environmental Change, 43, 165–179.
The need for creative solutions to tackle the problems faced by the residents of urban areas is now necessary more than ever. This is in order to better their experiences and to give them a fighting chance at living a more pleasant life in the cities.
Getting people from point A to point B is only one aspect of public transportation. Many people living in cities depend on public transit for their daily needs, and so any issues with it might have a significant effect on them and their environment (Michel, 2020). A direct solution to lessen public transportation's negative environmental effects is with current technology. We have the means to lower its impact on noise levels, air quality, and carbon emissions.
For example, Edinburgh is promoting more environmentally friendly transportation by putting more electric, hybrid, and low-emission buses on the road (Macinnes, 2018). Additionally, the municipal government promotes walking and cycling among its citizens by allocating 10% of its transportation budget to bicycle infrastructure. With almost 11,700 bike trips made per day last year, the benefits are already beginning to be noticed.
These initiatives are part of a larger plan to pave way for more sustainable, healthy, and safer cities in the future.
Lailee Ibrahim Ismail (TP074380)
References
Michel, M. (2020, n.d.). 5 Public Transportation Challengers - And Their Solutions. Gunnebo. https://blog.gunneboentrancecontrol.com/5-public-transportation-challenges-and-their-solutions
Maccines, C. (2018, June 7). Green cities: How Edinburgh is making transport more sustainable. Transport Network.
https://www.transport-network.co.uk/Green-cities-How-Edinburgh-is-making-transport-more-sustainable/15090
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