Cities are real centres of human life, and are also, therefore, gifted with an incredible complexity.
The main concern in many cities is to solve everything that relates to structural and logistical problems, in order to be able to accommodate a growing number of population, mostly attracted by employment possibilities and resource availability.
This has made them become, sometimes, inhospitable places, where social and environmental imbalance could thrive.

The concept of sustainability refers to the availability of equal resources for future generations. Life quality and good use of city resources may often be associated to public bodies, but the truth is, each and every one of us can do their part.

And much of it may still depend on the public sector, but if we do nothing and our mentalities do not adapt, nothing will change. It is our responsibility.
That is why today we discuss some of the good practices for a more sustainable city.

The first, and already known by many, is recycling. Try to reuse waste by repurposing it, or recycle accordingly. A good way to recycle organic residue is to start composting at home, and they will become great plant fertiliser. This way, you will reduce the amount of rubbish that is sent to landfills, and avoid the need to purchase manure and fertiliser.

Look to use fewer plastic objects and packages, and some of the measures are as simple as just using netted bags for your fruits and vegetables at the supermarket, or trade in your toothbrush for wooden brushes, which are now starting to be sold. Pay attention to your purchases, sometimes products are already being sold in recycled packages.

Choose local and organic products. Products that come from distant locations mean transportation, pollution and packaging. The best option is your neighbourhood store where, aside from selling local products, have organic products, which have a smaller impact on the environment, as well as added health benefits (less amounts of pesticides, for instance). If you have the chance, grow what you eat.

Ensure your insulation efficiency: before considering the purchase of heating/cooling systems, make sure you have correctly insulated your house’s surfaces. An effective insulation might reduce in up to 30% of your power consumption. Choose efficient devices and close your doors and windows. You may save an additional 10% by every degree of temperature you manage to reduce. Install double or triple windows with low thermal transferability. This may reduce up to 50% of your thermal losses through windows and frames, as well as outside noise.

Another measure that is simple to implement is the purchase of efficient light bulbs, whose cost is quickly redeemed.

Very frequently we go through short distances, like home-work-home-supermarket-gym, by car, getting stuck in traffic, and wasting money on fuel, all this besides the pollution, of course. Cycling through town may be in fact very practical, whether for everyday life or for sightseeing. If you don’t like the physical effort you can always go for an electric bicycle.

Public transportation are another practical and economical possibility to get around town.

In your garden: water your plants early in the morning or at the end of the day to minimise evaporation losses.
Consider planting autochthonous species, they are better adapted to our climate and do not require a lot of watering. There are also other plants that have very interesting shapes, colours and aromas that do not require intensive watering like a lawn.

You may also re-use water, there are several water re-using systems that make use of bath or rain water (water collectors), and once collected, it may be used for the toiled, watering your garden, washing, etc…

As you can see there are many simple options that allow you to contribute towards your sustainable city, all you need to do is start.
Choose the most practical measure for you and start tomorrow.

Amália Souto de Miranda
Landscape Architect