The Built Environments and Walking Relationships Research Paper

Environmental degradation is a global problem arising from unsustainable human practices. Urbanization is worsening the situation due to the increasing population and the demand for various basic needs and resources. In Canada, policy initiatives have helped deliver sustainable and livable cities characterized by cycling paths, green buildings, and recycling plants. However, some gaps exist that might complicate the future of the country’s approach to the SDG 11. A detailed qualitative analysis was completed to examine the measures, policies, and efforts different cities in the country were putting in place. The findings from the study present divergent views since some Canadian cities have made sustainability a priority while others have recorded numerous gaps. These observations explain why a superior approach to policy and the introduction of a new department could help make more cities sustainable. The approach will help bring together more partners, expand the roles of municipality governments, and increase government expenditure to meet the SDG 11. Future studies need to identify and recommend evidence-based approach that can help Canadian cities to achieve their sustainability objectives.

Introduction and Background

The global community is presently struggling with the challenges of climate change and gaps in environmental sustainability. Modern urban centers continue to exert more pressure on natural resources and factors of production. Population growth in many countries is accelerating demand for infrastructure, job opportunities, proper housing, and basic needs. This force has made most of the cities less sustainable and incapable of supporting the goals of the greatest majority. Without a clear plan for making cities livable, numerous challenges would emerge, including exclusion of some population, increase in informal settlements, and inability to access social services.¹ The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) proposes goal 11 with the aim of helping cities to focus on the idea of sustainability. The purpose of this objective is to ensure that key stakeholders engage each other to make human settlements and cities more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable.

In almost all parts of the world, environmental degradation remains a major challenge affecting human beings. Urbanization still remains a major force that is affecting the integrity of cities and their ability to meet the demands of the cities. This process accelerates the demand of scarce resources and opportunities. In Canada, the processes of urbanization and gentrification have led to increased human concentrations in different cities.² In the country, the pressure associated with this trend of rural to urban migration has made more cities vulnerable to human conflicts and economic losses. The demand for sustainable goals becomes a reality in an effort to protect the natural environment. When done properly, the focus on UN sustainable development goal 11 (SDG 11) could help reduce chances of disasters, overcome the problematic issue of climate change, and empower more cities. A detailed investigation of Canada can shed more on the measures the country is putting in place to achieve SDG 11. The findings from the research will offer the best background for implementing additional improvements in the future. The ultimate aim is to increase inclusivity, resiliency, and sustainability of cities in this country.

Methodology

This analysis uses a qualitative research focusing on case studies of different urban centers in Canada. The approach identifies what authorities have done so far in an effort to achieve SDG 11 (see Appendix). The examination exposes evidence-based practices put in place, the recorded gains, and experiences of urban communities.³ The strategy presents additional insights on existing gaps and some of the best approaches to achieve improved sustainability.

Literature Review

Past scholars have presented numerous insights regarding the importance of sustainability in promoting better cities. For instance, the inclusion of all key stakeholders can help present appropriate mechanisms for delivering properly planned cities.⁴ In a study focusing on the Netherlands, many urban centers had promoted inclusivity by constructing bicycle lanes across the country.⁵ This approach had led to an increasing uptake of bicycles among the population. This achievement led to the reduction in the number of people relying on cars for transport. The report went further to indicate that he level greenhouse gas emissions and pollution had reduced significantly in the country.

The question of efficient transportation and its potential towards empowering citizens remains a common issue in the selected country. For instance, Toronto is one of the cities characterized by properly managed transportation systems in most of the urban centers. This strategy explains why the country continues to record improved sustainability outcomes. The same understanding is essential to promote the notion of developing better and livable cities. For instance, many cities in different parts of the world are promoting the construction of modern buildings characterized by efficiency energy sources.⁶ Water recycling and natural lighting systems are being considered in the delivery of public structures. Notions of recycling, sustainability, and inclusivity are becoming common in different parts of the world than ever before.

The adoption of the United Nations SDG 11 is a trend notable in different communities and urban centers. In their study, Bay and Lehmann (2017) revealed that many cities were recording increasing levels of human populations. This trend was observed to increase chances of experiencing negative impacts linked to climate change. According to UNEP, only 3 percent of the global population is found in cities across the globe.⁷ However, such individuals account for around 60-80 percent of the current global energy needs. Additionally, this small fraction is responsible for more than 75 percent of greenhouse gases emissions.⁸ To address such predicaments, UNEP proposed the promoting of cities capable of promoting and supporting the efficient use of resources.⁹ The initiative could increase the level of innovation, efficiency, and empowerment. More people will benefit from the emerging recycling systems and eventually lead sustainable lives characterized by inclusivity for all.

The objective of the intended work is within the overall context of sustainability cities. The common agreement is that more people are convinced that the challenges of global warming and climate change are capable of affecting future generations. More cities are attracting more individuals from different regions due to the force of urbanization.¹⁰ These forces are capable of disorienting the sustainability of such cities. By focusing on Canada, it can be possible to identify the recorded gains and some of the gaps already in place. The completion of this research could offer additional ideas for promoting the sustainability of Canada’s urban centers.

Policy Options

The current policy on sustainable urban centers in Canada revolves around the mandate of the Auditor General Act (AGA). In the country, the Auditor General (AG) formulates policies and initiatives that can help leaders of different cities to achieve sustainability goals. The AG operates in accordance with the government’s guidelines for environmental resources, financial management, and social goals. The ultimate aim is to foster powerful approaches for ensuring that future generations lead sustainable lives. The AG outlines specific objectives that are essential in decision-making.¹¹ These measures remain instrumental towards delivering positive environmental outcomes. On top of this policy, Canadian government focuses on the SDG 11 to promote the best strategies for making urban centers sustainable.

In terms of pros, analysts have indicated that effort is evidence-based and capable of delivering the much needed results. For instance, the objectives SDG and AG work synergistically to promote sustainability. The implementation of such policies has helped improve the image and inclusivity of most of the cities in the country.¹² However, some cons are evident that could explain why desirable goals might not be recorded in the near future. For example, the promoted policies in Canada are poorly defined or incapable of increasing chances of accountability. Additionally, the AG’s approach to urban sustainability appears to be less progressive. Consequently, the decision to achieve SDG 11 is left in the hands of most of the relevant stakeholders. These scenarios could explain why the status quo remains in Canada regarding the nature of this issue.

Analysis of Findings and Best Practices

Public Transportation

As described above, Canada is implementing a national approach that is capable of delivering the outlined SDG 11 objectives. This journey entails the inclusion of municipal, federal, and provincial governments. To make cities more sustainable, the country is focusing on housing, mortgage, and infrastructure. The involved professionals in this area understand that there is a need to promote infrastructural investments at local and provincial levels.¹³ This approach is evidence-based and capable of helping more people to have access to safe, reliable, and quality public system networks. The governments operating at the local or municipality levels have been investing heavily in agriculture to ensure that people can travel from one place to another with ease.

These efforts have led to the development of more cities that are sustainable and capable of providing sustainable public transport systems. For instance, Toronto and Vancouver reported transit scores of 78 and 74 respectively.¹⁴ These regions are associated with properly designed infrastructure and resources that make it possible for people to commute from point A to B. The availability of reliable transit systems in the selected cities make it easier for more people to commute while avoiding the use of their private cars. The individuals will also benefit from reduced pollution and barriers. However, some metropolitans in the country lack reliable transportation systems, such as Peterborough and Belleville. The existing gaps provide room for future improvement.

Bicycle Lanes

In Canada, the existing policies and approaches to urban sustainability have helped deliver notable outcomes. Turvey observes that the country had planned and created cycle lanes in different cities before the adoption of SDG 11 in 2005.¹⁵ For instance, Vancouver and Victoria are some of the urban regions in the country characterized by good infrastructure for cycling. In these cities, citizens can use different lanes and paths with their bicycles and scooters. The example of the Galloping Goose Regional Trail shows conclusively that more people are able to access such paths for recreational and commuting purposes. These lanes are helping to make the country more sustainable while promoting inclusively for those who might be unwilling to use bicycles. However, not all urban centers have introduced such bicycle lanes to meet the demands of more citizens.

Sustainable Buildings and Recycling Systems

In this country, key stakeholders are implementing proper mechanisms to support the introduction and delivery of sustainable buildings. The AG and other key departments are providing regulations for building to focus on architectural designs that can minimize carbon footprints. The government is providing subsidies to ensure that construction become more affordable. New guidelines on green construction have become common than ever before. Some of the key areas of concern include the reduction in overall energy use, promoting heating systems, an inclusion of conditioning systems. Additional guidelines have emerged for reducing the use of water while promoting recycling. The stakeholders are also encouraging constructors to introduce energy efficient bulbs and solar systems for electricity.

Additionally, recycling systems have become common in different parts of the country than ever before. Such approaches are intended to increase the overall rate of recycling from 9 percent. In 2019, British Columbia emerged as the leading region whose recycling rate stood at around 69 percent.¹⁶ Ontario has also been focusing on evidence-based approaches to meet the intended recycling goals. Unfortunately, the issues of sustainable buildings and recycling have not been adopted across the country. The absence of enforceable recycling programs could explain the nature of this problem. The existing gaps explain why additional efforts would be needed to sensitize and guide the nation to record desirable outcomes.

Implementation of SDG 11 in Canada

The government of Canada is presently implementing various mechanisms and policies to achieve the outlined SDG 11. In 2015, this country adopted and signed the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2030-ASD) to address the wider challenges of poverty at the global level. In this nation, the AG presents annual guidelines that are shared with all key stakeholders and partners for implementation. The emerging objectives resonate with the attributes and expectations of SDG 11. Some of the agencies taking this initiative seriously include the Community Foundations of Canada, Scouts Canada, and leaders of urban centers.¹⁷ The relevant departments collaborate with the AG and other government institutions to put in place proper guidelines and policies that can support the realization of this sustainability goal. This analysis reveals that the government of Canada remains committed to pursue the key objectives outlined in the SDG 11 and ensure that they deliver the much needed results.

The inclusion of most of the key stakeholders and consideration of the relevant policies is a clear indication that Canada is doing a lot to improve the sustainability of most of its cities. The focus on the UN SDG 11 becomes a powerful approach that can make the country more sustainable. The presence of bicycle lanes, sustainable building, and recycling projects means that the future could be brighter. However, some gaps exist since there are some cities and urban regions characterized by poor public transport and unsustainable building.¹⁸ A renewed approach and inclusion of more stakeholders are evidence-based approaches that can help take Canada to SDG 11. The outcome would also create additional opportunities for more people to lead better and contend lives while making such cities sustainable.

Policy Options and Recommendations

Establishment of a Sustainability Department

The AG appears to coordinate sustainable operations and goals. The current model focuses on leadership to promote infrastructural developments and make the sustainability of cities a major objective. The government can consider the establishment of a new department that would be aimed at promoting urban sustainability goals. The agency will identify key areas for improvement and examine the achievements made within the past few years.¹⁹ The identified gaps will form the basis for future improvements, resource allocation, and decision-making. Such measures will make it possible for the country to achieve the much needed sustainability objectives.

Renewed Approach to Greener Cities

Currently, an effective strategy is in place that allows different departments to pursue and promote SDG 11. According to the current model, the nation provides guidelines for supporting the construction of sustainable building. However, a renewed approach would be appropriate whereby most of the buildings will be modernized to become more efficient and resilient. The model is designed in such a way that public transit remains accessible, safe, and affordable.²⁰ The recommendation is for all levels of government to implement the idea and replicate public transport systems across all cities in the country. This approach will ensure that more cities in Canada become livable and capable of meeting the demands of more citizens.

The government can go further to expand the current initiatives in such a way that they deliver solutions to the problems of pollution. The consideration of additional sources of green energy could help meet these aims. The model can improve the gains in fighting climate change while mitigating some of the noticeable natural disasters.²¹ The constructed infrastructure should also be designed in such a way that citizens can access green spaces, public areas, and parks. Such policy improvements will make it easier for Toronto to have better and more sustainable cities.

Urban Inclusion Policy

The case of Canada reveals that some cities have recorded positive results in terms of sustainability. The government has helped promote inclusion whereby bicycle tracks are evident in different urban centers. A new approach to urban inclusion is needed whereby more tracks could be constructed in most of the cities across the country. The government needs to provide adequate financial resources to support inclusion in different cities.²² Municipalities can expand the idea by introducing superior policies that will result in better public spaces. The effort will take the country closer to its sustainability goals.

Implementation and Next Steps

The outlined recommendations are evidence-based and capable of guiding Canadian cities to achieve most of the outlined SDG 11 aims. The best implementation approach needs to be founded on proposed department for urban sustainability. With the government focusing on these goals, it will be necessary to provide the relevant financial resources. The department and the AG would collaborate and guide all levels of governments on the best ways to focus on the process of sustainability.²³ Municipal governments will be required to take the necessary strategies and policies based on the sustainability department’s directives. Citizens need to hold all partners and stakeholders accountable and ensure that they deliver better urban centers characterized increased cycling paths, recycling plants, renewable energy sources, and inclusive public spaces.

Conclusion

The completed analysis has analyzed the current status of Canada’s cities when it comes to the question of sustainability. The study has identified some of the key strengths and achievements the country has recorded in line with SDG 11. Additionally, the existing gaps could become the best guidelines for pushing the agenda to the next level. When stakeholders and government agencies ignore the outlined proposals, chances of making more Canadian cities less sustainable will increase significantly. The consideration of such proposals will make such urban centers more inclusive, capable of supporting human settlements, and resilient.

Bibliography

Adkins, Arlie, Carrie Makarewicz, Michele Scanze, Maia Ingram, and Gretchen Luhr. “Contextualizing Walkability: Do Relationships Between Built Environments and Walking Vary by Socioeconomic Context?” Journal of the American Planning Association 83, no. 3 (2017): 296–314.

Basiri, Mostafa, Ali Azim, and Mina Farrokhi. “Smart City solution for Sustainable Urban Development.” European Journal of Sustainable Development 6, no. 1 (2017): 71-84.

Bay, Joo Hwa P., and Steffen Lehmann. Growing Compact: Urban Form, Density and Sustainability. New York: Routledge, 2017.

Broekhoff, Derik, Georgia Piggot, and Peter Erickson. Building Thriving, Low-Carbon Cities: An Overview of Policy Options for National Governments. Stockholm: Stockholm Environment Institute, 2018.

Champagne, David. “Urban Sustainability Policies in Neoliberal Canada: Room for Social Equity?” Current Sociology 68, no. 6 (2020): 761-779.

Community Foundations of Canada. SDG 11 focuses on the importance of our cities and towns for achieving sustainable development. Ontario: The Learning Institute, 2022.

EBRD. Effective Policy Options for Green Cities. London: European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, 2020.

Goi, Chai-Lee. “The Impact of Technological Innovation on Building a Sustainable City.” International Journal of Quality Innovation 3, no. 6 (2017): 1-13.

Government of Canada. Canada’s Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: Voluntary National Review. Ottawa: Global Affairs Canada, 2018.

Hart, Maxell, and Justin Hollander. “City Size and Academic Focus: Exploring Trends in Canadian Urban Geography, Planning and Policy Literature.” Canadian Journal of Urban Research 27, no. 1 (2018): 1-13.

Keough, Noel, and Geoff Ghitter. Sustainability Matters: Prospects for a Just Transition in Calgary, Canada’s Petro-City. Calgary: University of Calgary Press.

Lee, Junghoon D., and Jenny Godley. “Sustainable Cities: Examining the Relationship Between Neighbourhood Composition and Recycling Patterns in Canadian Cities.” Canadian Journal of Urban Research 29, no. 2 (2020): 18-31.

Litman, Todd. Well Measured: Developing Indicators for Sustainable and Livable Transport Planning. Victoria: Victoria Transport Policy Institute, 2021.

Turvey, Rosario Adapon. “Place-Making and Sustainability in Ontario’s Small Urban Municipalities.” International Journal of Urban Sustainable Development 9, no. 3 (2017): 286-299.

UNEP. Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. Nairobi: United Nations Environmental Programme, 2022.

Appendix

Study Questions

1. What is the interpretation of sustainable development goals (SDG) 11 in Canada?
2. What measures are being put in place in the country?
3. What are some of the recorded gains?
4. What gaps exist in this country’s urban areas?
5. What recommendations are needed to improve the sustainability of Canadian cities?

Footnotes

1. Derik Broekhoff, Georgia Piggot, and Peter Erickson, Building Thriving, Low-Carbon Cities: An Overview of Policy Options for National Governments (Stockholm: Stockholm Environment Institute, 2018), 2.
2. Arlie Adkins, Carrie Makarewicz, Michele Scanze, Maia Ingram, and Gretchen Luhr, “Contextualizing Walkability: Do Relationships Between Built Environments and Walking Vary by Socioeconomic Context?,” Journal of the American Planning Association 83, no. 3 (2017): 299.
3. David Champagne, “Urban Sustainability Policies in Neoliberal Canada: Room for Social Equity?,” Current Sociology 68, no. 6 (2020): 767.
4. Champagne, “Urban Sustainability,” 768.
5. EBRD, Effective Policy Options for Green Cities (London: European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, 2020), 7.
6. Community Foundations of Canada, SDG 11 focuses on the importance of our cities and towns for achieving sustainable development (Ontario: The Learning Institute, 2022), 1.
7. UNEP, Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities (Nairobi: United Nations Environmental Programme, (2022), 1.
8. UNEP, Goal 11, 1.
9. Ibid., 2.
10. EBRD, Effective Policy Options, 7.
11. Government of Canada, Canada’s Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: Voluntary National Review (Ottawa: Global Affairs Canada, 2018), 12.
12. Derik Broekhoff, Georgia Piggot, and Peter Erickson, Building Thriving, Low-Carbon Cities: An Overview of Policy Options for National Governments (Stockholm: Stockholm Environment Institute, 2018), 2.
13. Todd Litman, Well Measured: Developing Indicators for Sustainable and Livable Transport Planning (Victoria: Victoria Transport Policy Institute, 2021), 4.
14. Joo Hwa P. Bay and Steffen Lehmann, Growing Compact: Urban Form, Density and Sustainability (New York: Routledge, 2017), 36.
15. Rosario Adapon Turvey, “Place-Making and Sustainability in Ontario’s Small Urban Municipalities,” International Journal of Urban Sustainable Development 9, no. 3 (2017): 289.
16. UNEP, Goal 11, 1.
17. Ibid., 2.
18. Chai-Lee Goi, “The Impact of Technological Innovation on Building a Sustainable City,” International Journal of Quality Innovation 3, no. 6 (2017): 7.
19. UNEP, Goal 11, 1.
20. Ibid., 1.
21. Mostafa Basiri, Ali Azim, and Mina Farrokhi, “Smart City solution for Sustainable Urban Development,” European Journal of Sustainable Development 6, no. 1 (2017): 78.
22. Maxwell Hart and Justin Hollander, “City Size and Academic Focus: Exploring Trends in Canadian Urban Geography, Planning and Policy Literature,” Canadian Journal of Urban Research 27, no. 1 (2018): 5.
23. Junghoon D. Lee and Jenny Godley, “Sustainable Cities: Examining the Relationship Between Neighbourhood Composition and Recycling Patterns in Canadian Cities,” Canadian Journal of Urban Research 29, no. 2 (2020): 21.