Activity 2: The Shareable Future of Cites

• How many people does Steffen estimate we will have living in or near cities by mid-century?

We will have 8 billion people living in or near cities by mid-century.

• Explain how you agree or disagree with Steffen’s point that our energy use is “predestined” rather than “behavioral”.

I completely agree with this point.  Our energy is considered predestined because the type of living conditions of a city basically determine the amount of energy used.

• What correlation does Steffen make between a city’s density and its climate emissions?

He concludes that denser cities have lower climate emissions.  Transportation is a major factor; denser cities have less needs for transportation so the emissions are lower.

• What are the “eco districts” that Steffen mentions? How you see these as feasible or unfeasible in a city likeNorfolk?

The eco districts are places of new development that are made into sustainable neighborhoods.

• Explain how you agree or disagree with the “threshold effect” that Steffen discusses related to transportation.

I do agree with the threshold effect.  The first place where I saw this evident was New York City.  I don’t think a car would be a good investment if everything you need (family, work, etc.) are all in the same area; public transportation would be just fine.

• What does Steffen mean by the idea that, “…even space itself is turning into a service…”? Can you provide any examples that you see here in Norfolk or elsewhere?

The idea that space is turning into a service explains how businesses are using the natural aspects of space to help them function.  Things like natural sunlight and air through the windows are some services that space provide.  The new design of the library on campus or Dragas, which include a lot of glass, is a way to save energy by using natural light.

• Describe your understanding of Steffen’s argument that, “…it’s not about the leaves above, but the systems below…”.

I think Steffen is saying that it doesn’t matter what resources we have, but how we use the resources to their fullest potential.

• Finally, overall in what way(s) do you see Steffen’s ideas working / not working here in Norfolk? Spend time with this question!

                        I think that Norfolk would be a good place to implement Steffen’s ideas.  It is a major city, and it’s steadily growing so the potential to use the space and resources to make Norfolk a city that is more eco-friendly is very high.