Reader Response

Article:

Developing Sustainable Infrastructure in New Cities , original article.

Reader Response (Draft 2):

In the article, “Developing Sustainable Infrastructure in New Cities”, Cho (2014) states that sustainability needs to be ranked first to adapt to the extreme urban context in the 21^st century. The author mentions that “Envision Sustainability Rating System” is designed to monitor the performance of an infrastructure through the ability, flexibility and the usefulness to last from a present project. The writer states that both Mexico and Peru uses sustainable techniques to construct their highways, which has served the community well by overcoming these challenges such as “rising energy prices, water shortages, traffic congestions and etc.” At the same time, the writer plans to implement the strategies for the upcoming Impact King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) Fellowship. Lastly, the author hopes that new cities around the world will use these guidelines to strategize their new infrastructures.

While I agree to an extent that “Infrastructure is needed to adapt to the 21^st century’s extreme urban context”, I also believe that with extreme growth in urbanisation, countries have to sustain an equilibrium between economic activity, population growth and infrastructure services in order to uphold the living standards of its people. With the world's population living in urban areas, infrastructure sustainability will have a vast impact on the environment at global scales.

Infrastructure sustainability can lead to uphold the living standards of it people and also the economic growth of a country. Cross referencing to the article "Singapore, Tokyo among top ten best cities for urban sustainability" by Reyes (2013), Reyes states that "Singapore's key to success is that the government understood early that in that an efficient and affordable transportation system is a crucial factor, in terms of quality of living and competitiveness" Hence, using Singapore as an example would be the Singapore’s Urban Transport. In the article “Singapore’s Urban Transport: Sustainability by Design or Necessity?” Barter (2008) mentions that Singapore make use of the ASIF approach, (F); less intensive use of fuel per vehicle kilometre (I); structural changes to increase the role of transport modes with lower impacts per passenger kilometre, such as high-occupancy public transport or non-motorised transport (S); and reducing the overall level of transport activity (A) to improve in the urban transport system.

Comparing to Envision Sustainability Rating System, similarly, both systems concentrate to serve the community well with better energy source, water source and environment protection. However, ASIF approach specifies the full range of impacts regardless of either positive or negative impact before proceeding to the next policies of sustainable development.

Furthermore, in the article, Cho fails to explain how the Envision rating system is being implement and with the development, the economic activities of a country will be affected. Cho only concentrates on how the rating guideline will positively affect cities in future, the writer lacks out on the negative effect on present challenges where people faces during the process of developing of infrastructures. In conclusion, I do agree that Sustainability Infrastructure is needed in the long run to better maintain a country. However, different aspect of rating or policy systems may also be taken into considerations.

Reference:

Singapore, Tokyo among top ten best cities for urban sustainability (2013)  

http://www.eco-business.com/news/singapore-tokyo-among-top-ten-best-cities-urban-sustainability/

“Singapore’s Urban Transport: Sustainability by Design or Necessity?” by Paul A. Barter (2008) 

http://lkyspp.nus.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Barter-Sg-urban-transport-sustainable-by-design-or-necessity.pdf

Reader Response (Draft 1):

In the article, “Developing Sustainable Infrastructure in New Cities”, Cho (2014) states that sustainability needs to be ranked first to adapt to the extreme urban context in the 21^st century. The author mentions that “Envision Sustainability Rating System” is designed to monitor the performance of an infrastructure through the ability, flexibility and the usefulness to last from a present project. The writer states that both Mexico and Peru uses sustainable techniques to construct their highways, which has served the community well by overcoming these challenges such as “rising energy prices, water shortages, traffic congestions and etc.” Lastly, the author hopes that new cities around the world will use these guidelines to strategize their new infrastructures.

While I agree to an extent that “Infrastructure is needed to adapt to the 21^st century’s extreme urban context”, I also believes that with extreme growth in urbanisation, countries have to sustain an equilibrium between economic activity, population growth and infrastructure services in order to uphold the living standards of its people. With the world's population living in urban areas, infrastructure sustainability will have a vast impact on the environment at global scales.

Infrastructure sustainability can lead to uphold the living standards of it people and also the economic growth of a country. Cross referencing to the article "Singapore, Tokyo among top ten best cities for urban sustainability" by Reyes (2013), Reyes states that "Singapore's key to success is that the government understood early that in that an efficient and affordable transportation system is a crucial factor, in terms of quality of living and competitiveness" Hence, using Singapore as an example would be the "BCA Green Mark". BCA Green Mark is a green building rating system to evaluate a building for it energy efficiency water efficiency, environmental protection, indoor environmental quality and other green features and innovation. 

Comparing to Envision Sustainability Rating System, similarly, both systems concentrate to serve the community well with better energy source, water source and environment protection. However, BCA Green Mark identifies the specific energy efficient and environment-friendly features and practices incorporated in the projects. Points are awarded for incorporating environment-friendly features, which are better than normal practice. The total number of points obtained will provide an indication of the environmental friendliness of the building design and operation. Depending on the overall assessment and point scoring, the building will be certified to have met the BCA Green Mark Platinum, Gold^Plus, Gold or Certified rating. 

Furthermore, in the article, Cho fails to explain how the Envision rating system is being incorporated and with the development, the economic activities of a country will be affected. Cho only concentrates on how the rating guideline will positively affect cities in future, the writer lacks out on the negative effect on present challenges where people faces during the process of developing of infrastructures. In conclusion, I do agree that Sustainability Infrastructure is needed in a long run to better maintain a country. However, different aspect of rating system may also be taken into considerations.

Reference:

BCA Green Mark Assement 

http://www.bca.gov.sg/greenmark/green_mark_criteria.html  

Singapore, Tokyo among top ten best cities for urban sustainability (2013) 

http://www.eco-business.com/news/singapore-tokyo-among-top-ten-best-cities-urban-sustainability/