NVR #2

Balancing Change: Retrofitting and Transit for Sustainable Cities

Both articles identified many features of sustainability which must be implemented to

improve the environmental impact and future resilience of our cities. What struck me most
was the fear of holistic change within our unique and character filled cities. Therefore, I will
discuss the positive outcome of retrofitting in achieving climate targets as well as the
reformation of public transportation systems in creating environmentally friendly cities.

The article by Richa Malhotra discusses many sustainable features that if implemented will
sustainably transform our future city designs. However, I disagree with one of the
concluding statements suggesting that ‘All of these new methods and technologies
will completely change the way our neighbourhoods look and feel’. The total change of how
our cities ‘look and feel’ is a concern, therefore I disagree with this statement. I do think
there needs to be a change within infrastructure and services to combat climate change yet
my focus alongside this would be to fix, update and improve the lasting infrastructure we
already have. Retrofitting existing buildings, rather than complete transformation,
researchers have said could generate £35bn yearly economic output, create jobs, and reach
climate goals1. This approach makes buildings more efficient, and resilient, reducing
emissions caused by demolition and new construction.

In addition, both articles touch upon the reformation of public transportation systems, away
from private motorised vehicles. I feel this is crucial for cleaner, less congested, and lower
carbon emissions. The government website states that ‘transport is the largest emitting
sector of GHG emissions, producing 24% of the UK’s total emissions in 2020 (406 MtCO2e)’2.
This fact should urge us as designers to implement more accessible, comfortable, and wider
reaching public transport systems within our cities. Recent years have shown that it is
possible to decimate reliance on fossil fuels by integrating public transport systems into
cities3. Copenhagen is the perfect example of this as bike users have now outnumbered car
users and similarly in Holland ‘citizens cycle an average of nearly 2 miles a day, some
400,000 people combine bikes with trains for their work-week commute’ 4. If the UK were to
follow suit our annual production of emissions would plummet. In summary, improving both
operational and building infrastructure is vital for creating sustainable and resilient cities.

1
Kollewe, J. How retrofitting the UK’s old buildings can generate an extra £35bn in new money. (The Guardian,
2023) https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/mar/06/retrofitting-old-buildings-uk-energy-efficiency
(Accessed, 8 October)

2
Transport and environment statistics. (Gov.uk, 2022) https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/transport-
and-environment-statistics-2022/transport-and-environment-statistics-2022 (Accessed, 8 October 2023)

3
Nathan, E. How a few simple designs can radically reduce travel emissions in America. (Architectural Digest,
2023) https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/simple-designs-reduce-carbon-emissions-america (Accessed,
8 October 2023)

4
Ibid