Uploaded on 2014-12-10 by EdxEric

1) My 5 most livable cities are: Boston, New York, Chicago, Washington DC, Providence Livability is a very difficult metric to quantify. One must weigh factors that vary in importance as individual preferences. I am most comfortable in close proximity to a major city and the amenities it has to offer. Professionally: Boston, New York, and LA are the highest concentrations of employment for Architects in the US. Citizenship, language and industry knowledge are very important for my employment prospects. The next criteria is affordability. The price of affordability is the need to locate at some distance from the center city. Good transit infrastructure is essential. The most attractive cities are experiencing a socio-economic transformation. The growing attraction of urban life to young middle and upper class demographic is accompanied by widespread redevelopment and gentrification. This in turn will displace low income residents and activities. Livability for some may improve but not for all. A sustainable city must be inclusive and livable for all. # 2.0) Standard of living and Costs of living - Affordability: This factor could rank anywhere from most important to least. It depends on everything else. Affordability is best considered separately. It is at once the most important factor and the least. Every city should strive for affordability. However as a matter of individual choice, we are willing to make greater sacrifice in affordability than any other factor for access to all the other qualities of a city that make it attractive. Every city offers the promise of a better future and that is more important than affordability. 2.1) Characteristics of a livable city: + Social, Cultural, and Intellectual Capital + Economic Vibrancy and Competitiveness + Political and Governance and Physical Infrastructure + Geography, Climate, Recreation and Nature + Security and Stability 2.2) Characteristics of a sustainable future city. A livable city in the future must be Sustainable and Resilient. According to Jeffery Sacks, "Sustainable cities are economically productive, socially and politically inclusive, and environmentally sustainable." (Jeffery Sacks, The Age of Sustainable Development, 2013, p.366-367) + Urban Productivity--- Productivity depends on hard and soft infrastructure. Hard infrastructure includes all the physical connections for roads,transit, power, communication , water, sewer, waste etc. Soft infrastructure insures security and stable growth through good governance, responsible politics, and effective courts. + Social Inclusion--- Sustainable cities provide a culture and a place for human interaction without discrimination by income, race or class. This begins with a first class public education system in every city. Effective urban planning and politics can promote civic participation, social equity, and a high degree of social mobility. Peace and productivity result from a culture of trust and fairness in the community. Discrimination, division and exploitation must be discouraged. + Environmental Sustainability--- The future success of cities depends on responsible and effective climate mitigation and adaptation. We must reduce (mitigate) the harmful eco-footprint of the city. We must simultaneously make the city resilient (adapt) to climate change effects. ![Boston, Hereford St.][2] # 3) Describe your city: Boston + Boston is expensive, but it offers good connectivity and there are some lower cost options. It is a government priority to improve housing affordability. + Social, Cultural, intellectual capital of Boston is world class. Unfortunately social stratification and inequality is a national problem that is at its worst in cities. + From an economic standpoint the city is promoting synergy between industry and university. The city is developing multiple innovation districts and there is great interest in incentives to reintroduce manufacturing to the city. Regional planning theory is way ahead of practice. Smart growth and management of urban sprawl has a long way to go. + Infrastructure and public money are a problem. In the short term the city looks to public private partnerships. Public education is a gross inequity. The cost of higher education is a disaster. Hopefully the decades long trend of tax breaks for the rich will reverse with a return to a more equitable and progressive tax policy. + Massachusetts is one of the most densely populated states in the US and yet there is excellent access to natural resources and recreation. Open space is always under threat and there is a lot of environmental damage that requires cleanup. Protection of nature is critical for the future. + Safety and security is generally not a problem. Social inequities must be addressed now to preserve peace and stability in the future. # Future Sustainability and Resilience: + Boston is trying hard to adapt to the needs of the future. The City set a goal to reduce GHG to 80% below 1990 level by 2050. The city is exposed to increased coastal flooding and storm damage due to sea level rise and climate change. Boston is one of the 5 cities most at risk to sea level rise and climate change in the US. Planning efforts are underway to address these challenges. Storm water management is also critical for the future. + The city is investing in renewable energy sources and low carbon energy inputs and grid modernization. New codes and economic incentives address public and private building energy efficiency. Public transit regional rail, expanded subway and BRT systems. Alternative transit systems are part of the plan including rental bikes and bike lanes. [1]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14182045332288056.jpg [2]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14182052154623878.jpg