ON THE ENVIRONMENT

FROM SUSTAINABILITY TO RESILIENCE

1. Reformist ecology and the sustainable urban model. Where we were 20

years ago
The traditional approach is the reformist ecology.
The ecological footprint, some countries would need multiple planets to sustain their
current lifestyle.
The traditional approach defends continuing growing without exceeding some limits
whereas the radical ecology defends degrowth. In this sense, radical ecology is more
accurate in a way to stop climate change.
Bioclimatic urban design is a way to continue growing respecting the limits:
- Medium high density
- Mixed uses: work and shops situated near the residence in order to reduce CO2
emissions.
- Ecofriendly transport, interactive. Smart city concept.
The richest cities are the most sustainable.
The biggest cities are in developing countries, so they cannot afford being
sustainable. This leads to “Ecoelitism”.

2. Deep ecology and the resilient vision of the city: the Transition Town
Movement.
Deep ecology is one of the most radical movements.
The resilient vision is being formed today. Scientists decided that the main challenge
was climate change instead of the footprint which was the main focus until then.
This is a better way to see it because climate change is the consequence, which is
very visible instead of the footprint which is the cause, that is why it is a better way
to raise awareness in the population.
- “Weak sustainability”: stabilize. Remain as we are right now without growth.
- “Strong Sustainability”: repair. Give back to nature what has been taken from it in a
way to stop climate change, the problem is that this would take centuries.
We should readapt and resist instead of sustain. This is what it is called city resilient.
In this way, each city would have its rules in order to adapt, which is a great thing
regarding each one of them has different opportunities and cultures.
In order to obtain this we should have:
- Vision:
- Reformist ecology: anthropocentric approach.
- Radical ecology: all beings are equal. Non-anthropocentric approach.
Neither of both are accurate because humans should not destroy whatever they
want to obtain benefits, but plants and animals should not have the same rights as a
human being since we need to feed ourselves at least with plants.
- Values:
- Green economy and greed economy are the same considering that green
economy is another invention from big companies (i.e. “green washing”).
- Tools:
- Technology is the best tool in the eyes of reformist ecology.
- Radical ecology sustains that we should change our lifestyles and create self-
sustainable urban design.
There is a cultural revolution to create a community, educate people. An example is
Brixton, a neighborhood in London, which is a Transition Town, very strong.