Sustainable urban development in the UAE and global warming mitigation

Global warming has become an issue of major global concern. This research explores the complexities of the issues surrounding global warming and the development of models to help curb the human contributions to its continuation. This research focuses on the UAE and its initiatives to develop sustainable cities in the future.

Evolution of Cities

environmental change and Global warming

Field Work and Case Studies

Back Ground

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) covers an area of approximately 777 sq. km and has a population of over 5 1/2 million residents according to 2009 statistics (Department of Economic and Social Affairs Population Division. 2009). The country has the six largest oil reserves in the world and is one of the most developed economies in the Middle East. It has one of the most developed infrastructures in the Middle East as well. Global warming has become a key issue in developed nations that rely heavily on industry such as the UAE, are considered to be major contributors to the problem through their production of greenhouse gases. This research will explore the problem facing the UAE and other nations around the world as a struggle to meet the demands of an increasing population, dwindling resources, and global warming.

Identifying the Problem

Every being on earth leaves a footprint that places a certain demand on ecosystems. As the population of the world increases, the demand for energy increases as well. Currently, there is evidence that temperatures and sea levels are beginning to rise. The changes in the surface are measurable now and it is predicted that these changes will continue for the next 1000 years. Human activities that release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere are believed to be responsible for these changes. Humans now consume more resources than the earth can sustainably replenish. If this trend continues large-scale ecosystem collapse and even more dangerous climate changes are expected. The problem being addressed by this research and the global community is how to maintain the standard of living to which we are a custom, yet managing our ecological footprint so that we do not continue on this destructive path.

Aim and Objective of the Study

They aim of this study is to address the problem of how to reduce the effects of our communities on the global economic system. It will focus on architecture and urban planning as a means to lessen our impact and stop the hastening of global warming. They miss to explore means by which are been architects and planners can develop future urban areas with their impact on global warming at the forefront of their development.

The objective of this study will be to develop concrete actions and considerations for planners and urban developers of the future. It will serve as a guideline in the development of urban centers that reflect sustainability and concern for the environment. It will focus on five primaries areas that will have the greatest impact on the environment. The areas of concern will be

Farming (food, fiber, grazing, aquaculture, and biofuels)

Fishing (over-fishing, illegal & unregulated fishing, and by catch)

Forestry (timber, paper, pulp, and fuel wood)

Water (dams, irrigation, and drinking supplies)

Carbon, Energy & Climate (energy use, impact of forest loss, and the need for a new global policy on climate change)

The focus of the study will be on how the population and urban centers can be supported, while lessening the impact of human activity on these five key environmental areas. The focus will be on simultaneously meeting human and environmental needs.

Hypothesis

The hypothesis of the study will be that, "it will be necessary for the government of the UAE and other world governments to play a more active role in the development and enforcement of strategies to lessen the impact of urban centers on the environment than they have in the past."

Research Questions Underlying The Research

Many questions arise on the topic of global warming and measures that planners can take the lesson the impact of human activity on rising global temperatures. In order to address the hypothesis, several research questions will also be addressed in this research study.

1. How does the existing management structure of the construction industry in the UAE affect the implementation of policies for sustainable development?

2. Which policies and regulations would be most effective in promoting sustainable development in future urban areas?

3. How can performance of architects and construction companies be measured in terms of their impact on the environment?

4. How can these goals be achieved without jeopardizing the economic sustainability of future development?

The Structure of the Research

This research will be presented in six separate chapters. The first to which is the introduction, which explains the purpose and objectives of the study. The second chapter will be a literature review that explores the evolution of urban areas. The third chapter will examine environmental change and global warming. Chapter four will directly explore the contribution of the UAE to global warming. Chapter five will summarize the methodology used in this study. Chapter six will explore case studies related to the hypothesis. Chapter seven will present the findings of the research study.

Literature Review

The model derived from the study will be based on a selection of tactics and existing approaches to sustainable development. It will entail a number of writings from variety of credible sources. A preliminary exploration of the literature available found that many studies focus on one part of the issue, but not all of it. This study will use a comprehensive approach that will explore the many facets of this complicated issue. Literature review will also explore other factors such as the economic and socio-economics impacts of the model. It is recognized that the needs of different countries and urban areas differ. This research will serve as a model that may serve as a guideline for the development of methods that reflect the individuality of each location to which it is applied.

The Research Methodology

The research methodology to be using the study will consist of a case study to help develop a model that will effectively define the role of both the government and private entities. It will explore their role in sustainable urban development of the future. This research will take an exploratory approach and will evaluate the case studies is in qualitative research methods and analysis. The topic of global warming has no clearly defined guidelines. Therefore a comprehensive quality of the approach will facilitate the development of the desired model.

Are Cities Responsible?

Thus far, global warming has a resulted in a little more than a blaming game. Finger pointing has blamed corporations. Corporations have blamed urban centers. Some do not blame human activity at all high, but rather mother nature. Urban centers generate heat and greenhouse gases linked to transportation. As a population of the planet increases, so does the size of urban centers. All of this human activity generates massive amounts of heat and humans are beginning to feel these effects. Heat from urban heat islands has increased by as much as 30% in some locations. It is expected that by 2050 urban dwellers who will double their CO2 emissions, thus increasing the impact of greenhouse gases (McCarthy, Best, & Betts 2010). This study suggests that although cities may not be solely responsible, they are a major contributor to the effects of greenhouse gases.

The valleys and coastal areas in the Mediterranean are expected to feel the greatest impact from increasing urban areas in Europe (Schiermeier, 2010). Humidity will play the greatest role in excess of heatwaves in these areas. Allow to proposed solutions to help curb the effects of urban sprawl on global warming is to make certain that cities do not spread out, the weather to keep the population densities concentrated so that they encompass fewer square miles (Ewing, Bartholomew, & Winkelman). Many planners suggest that growing cities up, not out is the answer. At this point the jury is still out as to whether this would make an impact on global warming.

Fez, Marrakesh, Aleppo, and Sheba are considered heritage cities by UNESCO. Heritage cities are considered living environments with the universal understanding of their place in society. They are also some of the most out vulnerable to climate change. UNESCO considers heritage cities excellent laboratories for monitoring climate change and testing mitigation and adaptation (Environment and Ecology 2011).

The European cities of Venice and London have led the movement toward sustainable development. One of the most important lessons we have learned from sustainable projects in the cities is that one cannot present standard solutions and apply them to every situation. Every city is unique and must take their own personality, resources, and limitations into their sustainable development and retrofit plans (Geroliminis & Daganzo). It has been found that a one size fits all approach is the wrong approach and that are more individualized approach is needed.

Chapter 3: environmental change and Global warming

Climate change is a complex issue and the more data and research that is devoted to the topic, the more complex it becomes. Prevalent ideology on the subject leads to the conclusion that global warming is not the result of a single factor, but rather the combination of many factors. It is a result of the combined efforts of the natural environment and the human impact on the environment. There is little that we can do about the impact of the natural environment, but we can help to eliminate the compounding effect of the human impact on the environment.

The issue of global warming leaves many unresolved issues among authorities and citizens alike. The most prevalent relates to the causal factors involved in global warming. Researchers at the University of Texas using a model, found that the need to produce a higher percentage yield through the use of chemicals was a key contributor to the creation of dead zones in coastal areas (University of Texas, 2011). Increased agricultural production is largely in response to the need to supply increasing urban populations. Land development patterns significantly, particularly in relation to urban sprawl significantly reduce the amount of land available for agriculture. This reduces the effects of agricultural wastes, but it replaces it with the environmental affects of urbanization, both of which have a significant impact on global warming.

As has already been mentioned, the urban areas will be among the first to see the effects of global warming, including increased temperatures and extremes during the warm seasons. This has lead to the development of a new paradigm in urban planning. It has led to the development and planning of cities that take global warming into account of their urban planning procedures. Greener and cleaner is the new mantra of urban planners. Two of the most important considerations facing urban planners is the issue of traffic and urban development. The goal of planners is to devise ways to slow global warming as a result of these activities.

Urban centers are targeted for climate change mitigation as they are a concentrated area for industry, transportation, and households that contribute to global warming. Mitigation of global warming will involve development patterns in the future that take global warming into consideration (Lankao, 2008). Quantifying the impact of urban centers on global warming has been a point of contention among researchers. It is agreed that humans contribute to global warming, but it is not agreed as to the size of that contribution. Urban centers differ in their characteristics, which could account for these differences (Lankai, 2008).

Politics and governments are responsible for shaping our cities and instituting policies regarding land use, natural resources, and other regulatory actions. Around the globe, task forces have been developed to study greenhouse gases, determine the effects of them, and to develop ways to mitigate them. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) as one of the primary groups assigned the task of taking in inventory of greenhouse gas producing activities in finding ways to mitigate emissions (IPCC 2011). This is only one of many efforts to help reduce the effects of greenhouse gases. Regional and local authorities are developing plans to support national and international efforts in terms of planning, development, and policy.

One of these initiatives is the Toronto Initiative to reduce smog. This initiative works directly with city planners to redesign public transit in limit urban sprawl (TEA 2008). The Masdar Initiative has the goal of becoming a waste free, zero emission city that is the forefront of sustainable technology (Tanguay 2008). The healthy cities initiative is a global effort sponsored by the World Health Organization to help in the development of communities with improved physical and social environments. One of the focuses of this initiative is the establishment of sustainable cities (Kenzer 1999). These are only a few examples of thousands of global initiatives that are underway to help reduce the human effects on global warming.

Chapter 4: UAE

The United Arab Emirates has several conditions that will contribute to global warming. As the Earth's temperature rises, it is expected that goes in hot climates will require more air conditioning. This will have a negative affect on CO2 emissions. Building modification such as glazing windows and shading devices are expect to play a key role in the reducing the effects of cooling buildings on CO2 levels (Radhi, 2009). One of the most difficult aspects of the issue of global warming is the few facts and figures exist that quantify the effects. Those that do exist are controversial in their ability to account for all of factors that contribute to global warming. At the present time, no row facts and figures could be found that quantify the contribution of the UAE to global warming.

The UAE is divided into seven states. Many of the urban centers are concentrated in the northern part of the nation close to the Persian Gulf. The country's economy depends on oil for much of its GDP. The oil industry is considered one of the great as contributors to global warming. When oil is burned for fuel to power our transportation the gases that are emitted. The solutions to this problem are complex and are at the heart of the global warming issue. At the present time the will industry is digging for solutions, but at the present time the world's dependence on fossil fuels make solutions difficult to see (Krauss & Mouawad 2009). As the UAE is considered to be a major contributor in the oil industry, was chosen as the site for the headquarters of the International Remove Noble Energy Agency (IRENA) (Worldwatch institute. 2011). The UAE has made a commitment to join the rest of the world in developing cities that are sustainable and that reduced their impact on global warming as much as possible.

Chapter 5: Field Work and Case Studies

Several methods are available for evaluating sustainability efforts. One of the most difficult aspects of conducting a sustainability analysis is deciding which factors should be included, how to quantify them, and what weight should be given to them. Several methods of been developed as comparative methods for the assessment of sustainability in cities. These methods only address the impact on the environment and do not address other affects such as social and economic impacts. These methods include Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA),Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA),Life Cycle Analysis (LCA),Ecological Footprint (EF),Ecological Rucksack (ER), The Green Poster (GP) and Eco Accounting (EA).

Methods for addressing the economic impact of sustainability initiatives and the effects of global warming on the economy of an area, several specific methods have also been developed. These methods are continually we find and are becoming more precise as time passes. These methods include Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA), Cost Effectiveness Analysis (CEA),Multi Criteria Decision Aid (MCDA) and Environmental Accounting (EA). Social indicators that measure the effect of sustainability or the impact of continued global warning on an area include Social Impact Assessment (SIA) and Social Economic Impact Assessment (SEIA). These methods are complex and could be the topic of an entire study on their own. These methods are being employed by governmental agencies to assess the ecological, economic, and social impact of proposed sustainability initiatives on a population. They are also being used to consider 'what if' scenario should global warming continue at its current pace.

As one can see, there are many different tools available for the assessment of sustainability initiatives and global warming. Selecting the right tool for the circumstance is a key to producing meaningful results that can be used in the development of a model in the future. The method chosen is depend upon the characteristics of the city in question. There is no single method for choosing criteria that will work in every case. Aggregation and weighting indicators will depend on the economic profile, geography, and climate of the area. To help in the selection of and appropriate measure an assessment matrix of the conditions is often constructed.

Due to differences in factors that influence sustainability and global warming issues, case studies are the most common method for studying the effects of global warming and the success of mitigation efforts. Case studies have been conducted in Amersfoort inHolland Netherlands, Freiburg in Germany, Hammarby Sjostad in Sweden, Zaragora in Spain, Dongtan in china, and Bed ZED -- London United kingdom. Masdar in Abu Dhabi is one of the most well studied cases due to their aggressive plan to tackle global warming. Masdar has already made significant progress and redevelopment of their infrastructure, transportation, microclimates and passive building design, as well as power demand and supply. Masdar stands as a primary example of what can be done to reduce our impact on global warming. Their stellar example will serve as a model for the development of other similar initiatives around the world.

Chapter 6: Findings, Conclusion and Recommendations

This research study was conducted using a review of literature available on global warming, particularly focusing on the development of cities, their contribution to global warming, and the role of the United Arab Emirates in resolving the issue. It focused on efforts at developing sustainable cities and urban areas to help reduce the contribution of humans to the global warming problem. Any one of the issues addressed in this study could be an entire thesis unto itself. There was not sufficient room within the scope of this study to provide a detailed analysis of any of the issues regarding global warming.

The purpose of this study was to attempt to develop a model for resolving global warming issues. However, through the course of the study was found that the issues are much more complex and that every case is different. The development of models is dependent on the characteristics of the city that is targeted. The economic, climatic, and geographic characteristics of the city would influence the choice of models chosen for particular area. Choosing a model that is appropriate for developing sustainability programs is limited by a lack of knowledge about the particular area. It is also limited by difficulties in assessing all of the factors that contribute to the ecological footprint of the area.

Perhaps the most important finding of this study is regarding the complexity of the issue and the difficulties ahead in resolving it. Global leaders will depend on cases such as Masdar in the development of their own programs to limit greenhouse gases in other contributors to global warming. The world is focused on the issue of global warming and will continue to be in the future. Future research in this area is expected to get more specific and able to address issues that at this time are elusive. Research is expected to concentrate on the development of models of sustainability. This is a global issue and will take a world working together to resolve it.