Sustainable Cities Ideas

Sustainable Living is a module I had taken in semester 4 while I am studying Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies in Taylor’s University. This module aims to equip us with the knowledge and skills to participate in this rapidly expanding profession and find out position as architects. The teaching objective of the module is to introduce students to a range of historical and contemporary materials illustrating some key themes in the conceptual framework of sustainable living in cities. Lecturer uses case study method through series of precedents and analysis and explores on cities of Malaysia in comparison with international contexts focusing in the aspect of sustainable living. By incorporating real life examples into the teaching, it is far more easier to absorb and understand the concept of sustainable living. The beginning of the lectures introduced us the characteristics of a basic city and how it turns into sustainable city. Later, we were taught about different types of sustainable city frameworks and how it forms due to its tangible and intangible aspects.

 

The further lectures showcased the tools and assessment on sustainable city. This allows us to differentiate between various cities and able to distinguish them in the aspects of sustainable living. Finally, smart cities as the topic in the end of the lectures broaden up my view toward future cities and provide me a path to research and explore on sustainability. I now have a better understanding regarding to the relationships between the people and the city. The fundamental relationships of economic, social, and environmental aspects in sustainable living helps me to realize that city is built for people. Sustainable cities should be people oriented and connect people. Hence, people can live sustainably and healthily.

 

Assignment 1 is a group project for us to study about the sustainable system in a city. The objectives of this project are to equip us with an understanding of the existing framework of existing cities on economic, social and environmental aspects. It requires us to describe how tangible and intangible elements in the cities affect perceptions and experiences in urban context. In phase 1, we chose a case study and analysed its characteristics as a city. By doing a research on a city close to our life, I had grabbed a lot of knowledge that is so relatable to my architectural studies. The tangible and intangible studies of this assignment provided me a new perspective of seeing a city. In terms of researching and analyzing, I can be more comprehensive and detailed. Phase 2 required us to select a precedent study of a sustainable city that is relevant and worth learning to make our case study more sustainable. This study widened my field of vision and helped me to build understanding towards international circumstances in the field of sustainability. Later, phase 3 is where we discussed and compared the existing structural system of both cities in different sustainable aspects. The process solidified my fundamental knowledge as I needed to analyze the information and apply my knowledge in the discussion. In the end, we were required to propose some ideas to make our case study more sustainable as promoted in SDG11. The proposal making is an innovative process where we studied, imitated, and improved the precedents. It taught me how to identify, analyze, and resolve urban issues in order to create sustainable living in a city.

 

Assignment 2 is an individual project named sustainable city ideas. In this assignment, illustrating and transforming concepts and ideas of the future sustainable city is expected. I was required to produce an A1 infographic presentation board explaining my ideal future city with the consideration of economic, environmental, and social aspects. During this assignment, I had gone through a thorough research on how a future city should be. The research included videos, articles, and books allowed me to visualize my concept and develop my proposal. Seeing other people thoughts helped me to reflect on my own idea and learn from them. I realized that everyone’s concept toward sustainability is similar, yet the approach is different due to the respective tangible and intangible elements. So, I developed a future city framework that is fundamental and usable by all cities around the world, as the approach might be different in different cities, the foundation is solid that surrounds the aspects of economical, social, and environmental aspects. The sustainable city can be created as long as the foundation roots strong and people cares about them.

 

I appreciate the given assignments provide me an opportunity to explore profoundly regarding to sustainable city. I now comprehend the concepts, principles, and practices of a sustainable city in current days. Moreover, I can apply my knowledge in the future convivial living environment. These assignments also solidified my knowledge as I practiced and made mistakes along the journey, and these mistakes are what I will not repeat in my future. This module had taught me the importance of sustainability in a city and the skills necessary to comprehend real life urban cities. By obtaining such knowledge, I have a more profound understanding regarding to sustainability and more confident in making sustainable decision in my future. I believe that this module has open a door for me as for now I am extremely curious to explore more in sustainability. As I am one step into the field of sustainability, it also provides me another career opportunity to pursue in my future. The knowledge not also can be applied into urban planning field, but also can be integrated with architectural building projects. I believe that the future of our cities will ultimately depend on the way we choose to shape our cities today. As sustainability has become the ultimate goal, I will have a great advantage in the future market as I possess the skills to create one sustainable city. In conclusion, as an future architect who have the opportunity to shape the future city and grasp the fate of how citizens will live their lives, it is my responsibility to comprehend this aspect of study and specialize in to fulfill my purpose as an architect, to create better living for people.

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