Urban Sustainability

Nowadays, more than half of the population of the world lives in cities, but this is something new for us, we used to live estrictly connected to the land. But it is going to be worst the next 30 years, the world's urban population is expected to double to more than five billion, with virtually all the growth taking place in less economically developed countries. 

---

We are living in only the 2% of the surface of the earth, but we use three quarters of the planets resources. We have to be conscious of it, we have to do something about it.
"Technology has both facilitated the expansion of cities and enhanced the quality of life for its inhabitants. This has indirectly led to many increasing economic, social and environmental problems. The positive aspects of technology include job creation and easier transport for people".
You can learn more about it in the added presentations.

Presentation about urban sustainability:
Part 1: https://docs.google.com/present/edit?id=0Ad-uTvmOBMZ8ZGhiNnNyNXpfMjhndHZrN3JnOQ&hl=en_US&authkey=CImNjt4P
Part 2: https://docs.google.com/present/edit?id=0Ad-uTvmOBMZ8ZGhiNnNyNXpfMzNkZ2premJocg&hl=en_US&authkey=CJ2C3oMF

Minden - Donostia

We have already been some days in Germany, so we have learnt a lot abaut how is the transport in here. We have seen that in Minden it´s usual to use the bike, you can see hundreds of people every day using it. But on the other hand citizens from Minden like using their car; when they are able to have it. They say that if you don´t have a car here, you will be lost...

In Donostia i´t also very common to use bikes, but not so much to use the car. Why? Donosti wants to be The European Capital of Culture, so they are traying promote the red roads. Also, the Crisis is in all over Spain so The Government is trying to make money in any way. Some weeks ago, in Donosti, the Government put OTA and that´s one big reason not to use the car there.

Differences between Donostia and Minden in transports

Perfect City

A perfect city should be one that has in mind the impact to the environment, a city that tries to maximize the use of energy, water food and minimize the pollution it produces.
here is a link and a presentation on the subject.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainable_city

Another presentation:
Part 1: https://docs.google.com/present/edit?id=0Ad-uTvmOBMZ8ZGhiNnNyNXpfMTRndmc4amdnaw&hl=en_US&authkey=CIynpMUP
Part 2: https://docs.google.com/present/edit?id=0Ad-uTvmOBMZ8ZGhiNnNyNXpfMjFnYmQ2NDVkcw&hl=en_US

Transportation

We are going to talk about transportation, which is the second cause of pollution after the factories.

 We have all seen an old vehicle that emanates an unpleasant black gas, right?

However, to avoid these situations, San Sebastian, is promoting the use of non motorized vehicles or others which are respectful with the environment such as bike, bus...

 

 It is said, that these buses are the least polluting ones.

 

 In this photo you can see a "cycling road" or "red road".

Transport is the movement of people and things from one location to another. Modes of transport include air, road, water… In San Sebastian an in Minden, like in other countries all around the world; the transport is a very important sector. You can just take a taxi, a public bus or a train, but if you like doing sport and being fit, is a good idea using your skate, your long board or your bike. There are special roads which are made for this kind of transport, and they are called “red roads” or "cycling roads". Normally they are not very used, because young people, the ones who use this kind of transport, prefer going everywhere. San Sebastian is trying to be more respectful with the environment, and these roads, which encourage us to use the bike, are helpful. Our buses are also helpful, because they pollute less than others.

Here you have some links if you want to know some more about transport:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transport

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_transport

http://www.civitas-initiative.org/city_sheet.phtml?lan=en&id=83

And some games  (We know you wanna play... hehehe)

http://www.funnygames.co.uk/transport.htm

http://learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org/en/language-games/balloon-burst/transport