IB Environmental systems and societies Topic 8.2D Principles of Ecological Urban Planning Revision Notes (HL)

IB Environmental systems and societies Topic 8.2D Principles of Ecological Urban Planning Revision Notes (HL) | RevisionDojo

Written by official IB examiners

Ecological Urban Planning Rests on Three Principles: Compactness, Mixed Land Use, and Social Mix

Ecological urban planning designs cities to be sustainable, cutting environmental harm while improving quality of life and fairness.
Its three core principles are urban compactness, mixed land use, and social mix.

Together these principles aim to build cities that meet environmental, economic, and social needs at the same time.

Note

This is HL-only content in subtopic 8.2.
HL answers earn marks for naming real cities and for weighing each principle's advantages against its trade-offs.

Urban Compactness: Building Up, Not Out

Urban compactness means building cities at higher density, with buildings and infrastructure packed closely together.
The goal is to stop cities spreading into rural and natural land, which reduces urban sprawl.

Why Compactness Is Sustainable

Reduced urban sprawl
1. Limiting outward growth protects nearby natural land, farmland, and wildlife habitats.
Less car dependency
1. Denser cities make walking and cycling easier, so fewer people need private cars.
2. This cuts traffic, lowers air pollution, and reduces carbon emissions.
Energy efficiency
1. Denser areas use energy, water, and transport more efficiently.
2. Buildings that sit close together can share infrastructure, so energy reaches them with less waste.
Better public transport
1. Compact cities support reliable transport networks, making travel cheaper and easier for everyone.
Increased accessibility
1. Schools, hospitals, and shops sit closer together, so people without a car can still reach them.

The Trade-Off: Compactness Versus Overcrowding

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Tip

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Ecological Urban Planning Rests on Three Principles: Compactness, Mixed Land Use, and Social Mix

Ecological urban planning designs cities to be sustainable, cutting environmental harm while improving quality of life and fairness.
Its three core principles are urban compactness, mixed land use, and social mix.

Together these principles aim to build cities that meet environmental, economic, and social needs at the same time.

Note

This is HL-only content in subtopic 8.2.
HL answers earn marks for naming real cities and for weighing each principle's advantages against its trade-offs.

Urban Compactness: Building Up, Not Out

Urban compactness means building cities at higher density, with buildings and infrastructure packed closely together.
The goal is to stop cities spreading into rural and natural land, which reduces urban sprawl.

Why Compactness Is Sustainable

Reduced urban sprawl
1. Limiting outward growth protects nearby natural land, farmland, and wildlife habitats.
Less car dependency
1. Denser cities make walking and cycling easier, so fewer people need private cars.
2. This cuts traffic, lowers air pollution, and reduces carbon emissions.
Energy efficiency
1. Denser areas use energy, water, and transport more efficiently.
2. Buildings that sit close together can share infrastructure, so energy reaches them with less waste.
Better public transport
1. Compact cities support reliable transport networks, making travel cheaper and easier for everyone.
Increased accessibility
1. Schools, hospitals, and shops sit closer together, so people without a car can still reach them.

The Trade-Off: Compactness Versus Overcrowding

Definition

Paywall

(on a website) an arrangement whereby access is restricted to users who have paid to subscribe to the site.

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Note

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam quis nostrud exercitation.

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Tip

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.
Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum.

Topic 1: Foundation 3 subtopics

Topic 2: Ecology5 subtopics

Topic 3: Conservation and biodiversity3 subtopics

Topic 4: Water4 subtopics

Topic 5: Land2 subtopics

Topic 6: Atmosphere and climate change4 subtopics

Topic 7: Natural resources3 subtopics

Topic 8: Human populations and urban systems3 subtopics

HL lenses 3 subtopics

IB Environmental systems and societies 8.2D Principles of Ecological Urban Planning Notes

Topic 1: Foundation 3 subtopics

Topic 2: Ecology5 subtopics

Topic 3: Conservation and biodiversity3 subtopics

Topic 4: Water4 subtopics

Topic 5: Land2 subtopics

Topic 6: Atmosphere and climate change4 subtopics

Topic 7: Natural resources3 subtopics

Topic 8: Human populations and urban systems3 subtopics

HL lenses 3 subtopics

Ecological Urban Planning Rests on Three Principles: Compactness, Mixed Land Use, and Social Mix

Urban Compactness: Building Up, Not Out

Why Compactness Is Sustainable

The Trade-Off: Compactness Versus Overcrowding

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Unlock the rest of this chapter with a free account

Ecological Urban Planning Rests on Three Principles: Compactness, Mixed Land Use, and Social Mix

Urban Compactness: Building Up, Not Out

Why Compactness Is Sustainable

The Trade-Off: Compactness Versus Overcrowding

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Unlock the rest of this chapter with a free account