Home Work 3

Sustainable Transportation

Spring 2010

Due Monday, February 22, 2010

Question 1

Low suggests that sustainability should be treated as a set of nested boxes with the environment framing society, which in turn frames the economy. Explain how Low’s model of sustainability differs from the more conventional model, which, according to Low, is based on the idea of a triangle of equal forces.

According to Low, the model of sustainability as a triangle of equal forces is inherently flawed. Describe the major flaws or conflicts in this model.

Question 2

McGranahan and Satterthwaite introduce us to Graham Haughton’s five interrelated equity principles in their article on the ‘Brown’ versus ‘Green’ environmental agendas. Organize the environmental problems discussed in Lecture 7 according to which of the equity principles they support. A list is fine – you need not provide a detailed explanation to support the your approach to organizing the information.

Question 3

Some of the objects that are considered for the effective revitalization a community might include:

 Visitability across the entire community (I am attaching with this e-mail an article on visitability and some of the potential trade-offs)  Affordability  Providing higher density living  Providing for car-less living  Re-use of existing infrastructure  Protecting natural habitat  Protecting scenic views

Each of these goals or objects is designed to address specific issues of equity. For each goal or objective, describe which one or more of Graham Haughton’s equity principles are served by ensuring that that goal is met. In some cases, focusing on a specific goal might mean that it will be harder to achieve some other goal. For example, attempts to increase density might conflict with a desire to protect scenic views. Identify as many such conflicts as possible. Describe these conflicts in terms of Haughton’s five equity principles.