Activist Post
At the 2012 UN Earth Summit for Sustainable Development Rio+20 there was an initiative to offer “many great opportunities for people from all over the world to come together, build bridges, and draft a common path upon which all residents of this breathtakingly beautiful planet we call home can journey towards a sustainable and equitable future.” This ideal would be brought to life in the plans of Agenda 21 Ecocities.
The blueprint for “a prosperous, secure and sustainable future for people and planet” where Agenda 21 comes to life under the directives of the UN and with the cooperation of the world’s governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and private-sector corporations.
The Ecocity Builders is a non-profit organization which is a collaboration of international networks of associates that influence and actively participate in local city planning projects all across the US. Through training courses, they advocate the ecocity approach as the only way to continue in civilized society.
Through coercive conferences like the International Ecocity Conference series that is an international movement toward building locally and globally. They have created UN sustainable cities in countries like India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Brazil, Senegal, South Africa, Turkey, nine countries in Europe, Korea, and Australia.
They focus on reworking current issues to match UN Agenda 21 guidelines in planning for local cities including transportation, energy, architecture, design, natural restoration, development, planning, and advocacy.
The push toward the ecocity is the design of a metropolitan city that puts nature first and humanity last. Their justification for moving people into ecocities and out of the rural areas is that 90% of people currently live in or near a major city – why not just move everyone in closer together.
They characterize the ecocity as:
- Human settlements modeled after sustainable development that functions with natural ecosystems and living organisms.
- Reduce the inhabitants ecological impact on the environment.
- Restoration of ecosystems after the recolonization of humans into dense cities.
- Sustainable living under Agenda 21 supports regional, national and global economic systems.
These ecocities can control the movements of inhabitants by mandating mass transit and removing the ability to use personal cars; being built and designed in ways that support surrounding environments and natural resources, and mitigate the human impact on climate change with the assumption that man-made influence is the direct causation of the destruction of the biosphere.
Ultimately, ecocities are sold as “a practical vision for a sustainable and restorative human presence on this planet and suggests a path towards its achievement through the rebuilding of cities, towns and villages in balance with living systems.”
In Surat, India The Ecological Sequestration Trust (TEST) is funding the building of an ecocity that adheres to Agenda 21 sustainable development models.Beginning this month, TEST and the South Gujarat Chamber of Commerce is funneling funds to construct green buildings that reduce heat and regulate water use, pair with an intelligent mass transit system, control traffic and use GPS to map routes for tenants to take on local roads. Reduced use of existing roadways will be facilitated by an eco-friendly transit system.
Peter Head, director of TEST remarked: “Surat can be the next Singapore in terms of ecology and water management systems.”
Ecologically sustainable “megacities” will direct three sectors to ensure control over resources – water, energy and food security.
Integrating land use plans will provide that by 2013 these schemes will be well underway.
In the plans is a directive to force 75% of the Surat population to use mass transit or “para transit like rickshaws and other modes of travel.” Commuter travel will be strongly suggested to reduce CO2 emissions.
SK Datta, senior planner for The Surat Urban Development Authority (SUDA) said: “The integration of sanitation, sewerage and other amenities along with land use in the master plan 2013 will change the face of Surat city dramatically.”
Control over life in the ecocity will include:
- Reduction of urban city temperature by 3 to 4 degrees.
- Regulated community food production spaces.
- Mandated reduction of travel time with intelligent transit systems.
- Controlled use of energy, water and waste.
- Mandated green top technology buildings.
- Forced reduction of public water use.
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