Topic Title: Sustainable Streetscapes

Headline: Sustainable Beacon in a Concrete Maze, Powering Hope's Eternal Blaze

Written by: Sehaz Nagpal and Chetaniya Tamta

INTRODUCTION
If our streetscapes are not built to last,
Our cities will fall into the past.
With pollution and congestion, our air will be choked,
Our lives will be miserable, and our futures revoked.
Let's imagine a mis administered world ~Swarming with people, gasping for air,
increased land fragmentation into small unproductive parcels, infested with the
insidiousness of urbanisation and industrialization, decreased property values, and
decreased economic activity—all of which create an environment where relaxing
outside seems like a distant dream and the environment swings on the threshold of
life and death. That's a world without Sustainable Streetscapes for you!
If you're perplexed that what Sustainable Streetscapes are~
Structures in a community that are more environmentally, socially, and
economically sustainable are referred to as having sustainable streetscapes.
Sustainable streetscapes are designed to improve the quality of life for locals while
minimising harmful environmental effects and fostering economic vitality. They do
this by establishing secure, easily accessible, and appealing public spaces.

Unravelling the perks of Sustainable Streetscapes

Sustainable streetscapes offer a wide range of benefits to communities, spanning
economic, social, and public spheres. From an economic perspective, sustainable
streetscapes can lead to increased property values and stimulate economic activity,
as well as reduce costs associated with maintenance and repair. Socially, these
streetscapes promote community cohesion and improve quality of life, providing
safe, accessible, and aesthetically pleasing spaces for people to gather, walk, bike,
and enjoy. Public benefits of sustainable streetscapes include improved air quality
and reduced emissions, making for a healthier and more livable environment.
Moreover, sustainable streetscapes can enhance public transportation and active
mobility options, creating a more equitable and sustainable transportation system.
Overall, sustainable streetscapes offer a holistic approach to urban development
that not only promotes sustainability and resilience, but also promotes social
equity, economic growth, and public health.

Case Studies

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The ancient Egyptian city of Amarna prioritised the needs of the residents and
minimised negative environmental impacts to emerge as an instance of Sustainable
Streetscape.
A grid-like street pattern was used to prioritise pedestrian traffic. The city's streets
were relatively narrow, which helped to reduce the amount of direct sunlight and
keep the streets cooler during the hot summer months. Furthermore, the city was
built on a sloping site, which aided natural drainage and reduced the risk of
flooding.

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Germany extols Vauban-a neighbourhood located in Freiburg, it is often cited as a
prime example of sustainable streetscapes. It showcases innovative urban design
and planning principles that prioritise sustainability, energy efficiency, and high
quality of life for residents. It's widely known for curbing its dependence on cars.
The streets are narrow, and parking is limited to underground garages, which
reduces air pollution and promotes walkability.
Masdar City, Abu Dhabi, UAE is an eco-city that prioritises renewable energy,
sustainable transportation, and green space. The city has an unwavering
determination to be carbon-neutral and waste-free, with features such as
solar-powered transportation and buildings, a waste management system that
recycles 100% of waste, and public parks and green roofs.

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Image Source
Jaipur~ Several buildings in Jaipur were constructed utilising age-old,
environmentally friendly building methods that have been practised in the area for
millennia. The use of pink sandstone, a locally sourced and abundant material in
the region, regulates temperature and humidity. Jharokha style of architecture
provides natural ventilation without the burden of air conditioners which
furthermore burden the environment in today's world. Hawa Mahal in the city of
Jaipur is an iconic palace which truly keeps up to its name as features a unique
ventilation system that keeps the building cool even in the hot desert climate of
Rajasthan.
Water harvesting was a vital practice in ancient Jaipur, be it baronies (step wells) or
johads (small earthen dams), people of Jaipur knew it all. Green roofs are evident
in the structures that stand strong even today, they provided insulation, reduced
stormwater runoff, and improved air quality.

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Model

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An eternal question to ponder upon: What are the requirements for a place to be
called a sustainable Streetscape?
Although the concept of sustainable Streetscapes is boundless and constantly
involves innovations and creativity that adds to its enormity, we still put forth the
essentials for a sustainable streetscape.
● Pedestrian infrastructure
This includes complete streets~ complete streets refer to streets that are
inclusive and accommodate all drivers. Smart lighting systems with less
energy consumption. Stormwater management infrastructure which
includes rain gardens, permeable pavement, and other features to capture
and manage stormwater runoff.

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● Sustainable materials: Building materials should be chosen for their
sustainability, such as recycled or repurposed materials, and buildings
should be designed to be durable and long-lasting. For eg Bamboo,
Hempcrete, Recycled glass, Low VOC (volatile organic compound) paints, and
Natural stones: such as granite and limestone etc.

● A sample for infrastructure layout~

Workplaces like government offices or sub-divisions of ministries should be
constructed in the form of a honeycomb to save space and have inter-linkage
between separate units. The entire structure should have 4 common exits in
4 directions- North, South, East and West, and each separate room or unit
should be linked to a common roof using separate staircases, (inspired by
the Bees' quarter in the kingdom of Mithila in ancient India). The common
roof shall serve as a single flat ground above the ground which would then
be used as a collective space for leisure and interaction of the officials
working there.

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( Lines from Sita Warrior of Mithila- By Amish)

● Waste management is an important aspect of sustainable development.
A circular economy is a model that promotes product reuse, repair, and
recycling. To reduce waste and promote sustainability, sustainable cities

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 encourage the adoption of circular economy models. Impeccable examples of
waste management are Bioplastics made from renewable sources like corn
starch and sugarcane. These materials can be used to make products that
are biodegradable and compostable, reducing the amount of waste that ends
up in landfills.
Edible packaging- made from seaweed or compostable packaging made from
mushrooms.

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● Social equity
Sustainable streetscapes provide people with a large ground to get fair and
equal access to various amenities, work together towards common goals for
the upliftment of the entire society, and tackle issues that are common to all.
It is like a rising tide that lifts all boats - it is for everyone, creating more
livable, equitable, and resilient cities for all.

From Problems to Progress: Resolving Challenges on the

Path to Sustainable Streetscapes
Building sustainable streetscapes presents several challenges, ranging from
resistance to change to competing interests and limited funding. One of the key
challenges is the need to balance different stakeholder interests, such as those of
pedestrians, cyclists, motorists, and local businesses. Additionally, outdated

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infrastructure and a lack of community engagement can hinder the implementation
of sustainable design solutions.
However, these challenges can be addressed through creative solutions and
collaborative approaches. For example, community engagement and stakeholder
collaboration can help build support and generate buy-in for sustainable
streetscape projects. Funding can also be secured through grant programs,
public-private partnerships (i.e., private companies can invest in the design and
construction of sustainable streetscapes in exchange for tax breaks or other
benefits), tax increment financing, bond issuance, and crowdfunding. Finally,
innovative design and technology solutions can help address infrastructure
challenges, such as stormwater management, green infrastructure, and active
mobility options. By proactively addressing these challenges and leveraging
innovative solutions, sustainable streetscapes can be successfully implemented to
promote equitable, sustainable, and livable communities.

Empowering Sustainable Streetscapes: Harnessing

Technological Innovations for Efficiency, Safety, and
Community Engagement
Incorporation of technological innovation and intervention in Sustainable
Streetscape projects would ensure sustainability, safety and efficiency. Sustainable
urban designs can include smart digitalized traffic management systems and
energy-efficient lighting. Employing these incredible features would aid in better
management of environmentally-conscious streetscapes and reduce maintenance
costs. Digital communication tools and mobile applications can be introduced to
facilitate an increase in public engagement and participation in the designing
process, making it easier for stakeholders to provide feedback and stay informed
about project progress. Perhaps most importantly, technology can also help to
foster greater community engagement and participation in Sustainable Streetscape
projects. Augmented and virtual reality tools can be used to create immersive and
interactive visualizations of proposed designs, enabling stakeholders to explore and
provide feedback on various options. By leveraging technology in creative and
engaging ways, Sustainable Streetscape projects can build greater buy-in and
support among stakeholders, leading to more successful and sustainable
outcomes.

Conclusion
We have opened a portal for you with a world pacing towards catastrophe, deprived
of the boon of sustainability on one side, and a utopian world with perpetual
prosperity having bounties of sustainable Streetscapes on the other. The key to
stimulating this portal is a choice between embracing sustainable Streetscapes or
turning a blind eye to them, where the latter proves to be a dead end!

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Readers, I question,
Is self-indulgence such a pleasure that it often makes us overlook universal
betterment? Humans are social animals, has social changed its connotation in the
contemporary world?
When a problem arises we tend to rummage to find the solution, so shouldn't we
lay the groundwork for a problem that seems to be irreversible, in time?
Sustainable Streetscape is a precaution against a menace that lies ahead. It is a
solution to the never-ending problems of depletion in this contemporary world.