In order to realize set goals, planning is an essential step. In our day-to-day lives, proper planning of our schedules and activities gives us an insight into the right direction towards achieving our goals. This compilation is going to discuss the fundamentals of planning for sustainable cities with reference to the developing countries.
In order for a city to be able to sustain itself, its inhabitants must be comfortable in their own environment. In order to achieve the comfort level required for the sustainability of the city, basic community elements must be met. Education is the key to success. Every individual in society must have access to proper education as it is the foundation for a brighter future. For instance, in most African nations, many children in the rural areas lack basic education due to lack of schools in their area. Children with luck get to sit under trees to get a basic education, but the less fortunate have to bear harsh effects of the scorching sun throughout the day just to learn something new that would assist them in future if they ever survive the hardship. The shortage of schools in the rural area is a serious predicament (Bates, 1995). A classroom that is supposed to hold not more than 30 pupils is staffed with around 45 children due to a shortage of adequate classrooms. Some pupils in rural areas are subjected to walk for long distances to and from school just so they can get an education. Schools need to be built in rural areas to enable children in those areas access basic education. These pupils are the future leaders. They deserve the best education as the rest of the pupils who live in urban areas. These pupils are entitled to better education standards, quality classrooms and adequate teaching staff capable of catering for them. In this evolving world where technological advancements have reached new heights, a city cannot hold up its own life if half of its population is illiterate.
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The environment is our surrounding, where we live. In order for a prosperous, sustainable future, we need to take good care of it in the best possible way. Pollution, in general, is a potential threat to human life and the environment, as we know it. In a number of cities, air pollution has become a norm, from smoke emanating from factories to gas fumes from poorly serviced vehicles. People living in urban areas try to survive with poor air quality. Air pollution leaves many suffering due to prolonged inhaling of contaminated air. It has been observed that air pollution has some serious health effects on expectant mothers in that the child may be born with some deformities due to the mother being exposed to contaminated air. Young children are also in danger of chronic disease if they live in an area that lacks fresh air (Bates, 1995). In other cases, you find some factories dumping their waste products in water reservoirs. For instance in the Lake Victoria in Kenya, industrial wastes are being dumped into the lake. The aquatic animals that could have been used for business purposes end up dying thus reduce the income generation for businesses that rely on trading fish for sustainability. A lot of resources that we use in our day to day lives are environmentally offered. For instance, important medicinal drugs that are used to treat certain ailments come from specific plants from the environment. Taking proper care of these plants in our environment will mean that they would last longer and in turn, benefit us more. Eliminating pollution is a start in the right direction for a creating a sustainable city (Kadir, 1998)
In this era, technology is advancing rapidly, and it is necessary for cities to embrace it as a necessity for growth and sustainability. The Internet has revolutionised the world, as we know it. Ever since its emergence, it has eased the burden in terms of communication and networking. Business transactions with partners from different countries can now be carried swiftly and with less hassle. Telecommunication firms have made it possible to connect with one another via cell phones; a business can now be conducted without the need for face to face interactions unless when necessary (Cronin, 1996).
Another factor to consider for a sustainable city is its security. A community should be secure enough to contribute to its development. If a community is faced with serious crime cases, then its development will be hindered due to lack of trust and understanding. Crime originates from idle individuals who may have dropped out of school for one reason or the other (Cronin, 1996). Due to lack of proper education, the individual cannot get a job and decides to venture into crime. These individuals become the obstacles to success for a community. In order for a community to prosper, they need to put up measures to curb insecurity. For instance, they could open up schools for young adults who dropped out of school due to one reason or the other and taught them a particular trade. A good example is a masonry. This can keep them out of the streets and enable them to become independent once they get out of school with their new acquired skill (Clear and Karp, 1999).
Job opportunity is a major factor for the growth and development of a community. In order for the community to develop economically and financially, there have to be job opportunities for a young adult who are fresh from universities ready to become independent. Research has it that a lot of young adults fresh from school still live with their parents even after attaining the independence age bracket. This is because job opportunities are not available or opportunities vacant are for those who are willing to pay something small in order to be considered. Bribery is the root of joblessness of young adults in a community who have potential but unable to secure jobs due to corruption and tribalism. It is this type of selfishness that hinders the prosperity of a region. You find that a company only employs people from a particular set of individuals or even offering jobs to members of his family irrespective of the individual’s knowledge of what is required of him. In Kenya, tribalism is a major factor that hinders the growth of its economy. You find that an individual who has gone to School, studied hard for his exams and passed can never get a job without parting with a substantial amount of money in order to get a job. This is some of the traits that make “sustainability of a city” look like a dream.
In the rural areas, job opportunities are scarce therefore, individuals tend to be self-employed and engage in farming and fishing if they live near lakes. In Kenya, individuals living in the rural areas are average in terms of financial stability. They rely on farming to sustain their day-to-day lives. Individuals in the rural areas who live near lakes have very promising business ventures, for example, creation of fishponds to rear fish. But they lack the financial support they need to facilitate such activities.
In conclusion, a sustainable city must be able to provide its inhabitants their basic requirements for their day to day lives and provide equal job opportunities without biases of any kind. Equal health care services should be available for every individual with no discrimination whatsoever because in order for it to prosper it needs the full participation of its inhabitants.
References
Bates, D. V. (1995). The Effects of Air Pollution on Children. Environmental health perspective , 103 (suppl 6): 49.
Clear, T. R., & Karp, D. R. (1999). The Community Justice Ideal: preventing crime and achieving justice . Boulder, CO: Westview press.
Cronin, M. J. (1996). Global Advantages or the Internet: from corporate connectivity to international competitiveness. New York: Willey.
Kadir A.A. (1998). “Drugs from plants.” In:Bruce A.and J.W.Palfreyman (eds.) Forest Products Biotechnology . Willey: Great British.
