This thesis aims to compare sustainable urban development practices across the globe in order to draw lessons for Lagos. In order to do this, a comparative analysis is carried out. 3 cities have been chosen: Freiburg (Germany) Ahmedabad (India), and Durban (South Africa). These cities are compared according to the three principles of sustainability, which are environmental protection, social and economic principles. Eventually, Lagos is evaluated according to the same principles in order to determine where it stands with regards to sustainable urban development.
Sustainable urban development is a wide topic that has been discussed globally. Sustainability draws on politics, economics and philosophy and other social sciences as well as the hard sciences. Sustainability as incorporating economic and social dimensions is widely accepted as the architectural importance to the societies based on the economic growth, social progress and effective protection of the environment.
With the rise of concerns about the consequences of human activity and based on Brundtland report in 1980, Sustainable development paradigm was introduced. This approach in different aspects of economic, social, cultural and environmental has been extended; today in urban planning literature, it has a special place. In order to achieve the sustainable urban development, first concepts, theories and indicators must be identified and examined to be able to provide strategies for the sustainable development of cities.
Table of Contents
- Chapter 1- Introduction
- 1.1 Problem Statement
- 1.2 Aim, Objective and Research Questions
- 1.3 Importance of the Research
- 1.4 Limitations of the Research
- 1.5 Methodology of the Research
- 1.6 Scope of the Thesis
- Chapter 2 - Literature Review
- 2.1 History of Sustainable Development
- 2.2 An Overview of Sustainable Development
- 2.2.1 Pillars of sustainable development
- 2.3 Sustainable Urban Development
- 2.3.1 The Concept of a Sustainable City
- 2.3.2 The Concept of Urban Sustainability
- 2.4 Goal 11 of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Chapter 3 - Comparative Analysis: Sample Cities Study
- 3.1 Sample Study Selection Criteria
- 3.2 Sample Study 1- Freiburg (Germany)
- 3.3 Sample Study 2- Ahmedabad (India)
- 3.4 Sample Study 3- Durban (South Africa)
- 3.5 Comparative Evaluation
- Chapter 4- Case Study Analysis
- 4.1 Brief History of the Study Area
- 4.1.1 Overview of Efforts Agitated towards the Legislative Planning in Lagos State
- 4.1.2 Urban Development in Lagos State
- 4.2 Sustainability Analysis of Lagos Case Study
Objectives and Key Themes
This thesis aims to compare sustainable urban development practices across the globe to draw lessons for Lagos City. The research utilizes a comparative analysis of three cities – Freiburg (Germany), Ahmedabad (India), and Durban (South Africa) – evaluating them according to environmental protection, social, and economic principles of sustainability. Finally, Lagos is evaluated against the same principles to determine its current standing in sustainable urban development.
- Comparative analysis of sustainable urban development practices.
- Evaluation of sustainable urban development principles (environmental, social, economic).
- Case study analysis of Lagos City.
- Identification of lessons learned from comparative cities for Lagos.
- Assessment of Lagos's strengths and weaknesses regarding sustainable urban development.
Chapter Summaries
Chapter 1- Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the thesis by outlining the problem statement, which highlights the global significance of sustainable urban development and its relevance to Lagos. It defines the research's aim, objectives, and questions, emphasizing the comparative approach. The chapter also discusses the research's importance, limitations, methodology, and scope, providing a clear framework for the subsequent chapters.
Chapter 2 - Literature Review: This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the existing literature on sustainable development, tracing its historical evolution and exploring its core principles. It examines the pillars of sustainable development, including environmental, social, and economic aspects. The review also delves into the concept of sustainable urban development and its application in creating sustainable cities, incorporating Goal 11 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into the discussion. This lays the theoretical groundwork for the comparative analysis in the following chapters.
Chapter 3 - Comparative Analysis: Sample Cities Study: This chapter presents a comparative analysis of three selected case studies: Freiburg (Germany), Ahmedabad (India), and Durban (South Africa). Each city is analyzed based on the three core principles of sustainability: environmental protection, social equity, and economic viability. The chapter details the built environment, transportation systems, urbanization patterns, land conservation strategies, energy usage, and waste management practices within each city. A comparative evaluation is then conducted to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of each city's approach to sustainable urban development, providing a benchmark for the Lagos case study.
Chapter 4- Case Study Analysis: This chapter focuses on a detailed case study of Lagos, Nigeria. It begins with a brief historical overview of the city and its urban development trajectory, including existing legislative efforts. The chapter conducts a sustainability analysis of Lagos across the same six dimensions as the comparative cities in Chapter 3: built environment, transportation, urbanization, land conservation, energy use, and waste management. This analysis assesses Lagos's performance against the benchmarks established in Chapter 3, highlighting both its successes and challenges in achieving sustainable urban development.
Keywords
Sustainability, sustainable development, sustainable urban development, Lagos, Freiburg, Ahmedabad, Durban, comparative analysis, environmental protection, social equity, economic viability, case study, urban planning, built environment, transportation, urbanization, land conservation, energy, waste management.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the overall focus of this research?
This research focuses on comparing sustainable urban development practices across different global cities to identify lessons applicable to Lagos, Nigeria. It employs a comparative analysis of Freiburg (Germany), Ahmedabad (India), and Durban (South Africa) alongside a detailed case study of Lagos.
What cities are included in the comparative analysis?
The comparative analysis includes three cities: Freiburg (Germany), Ahmedabad (India), and Durban (South Africa). These cities serve as benchmarks for evaluating sustainable urban development practices.
What are the key themes explored in the research?
Key themes include comparative analysis of sustainable urban development, evaluation of environmental, social, and economic principles of sustainability, a detailed case study of Lagos City, identification of lessons learned from the comparative cities, and assessment of Lagos's strengths and weaknesses in sustainable urban development.
What methodology is used in this research?
The research utilizes a comparative analysis methodology, comparing three different cities against a set of sustainability principles (environmental, social, and economic). This is followed by a case study analysis of Lagos, evaluating its performance based on the same principles.
What are the main chapters and their contents?
The thesis is structured as follows: Chapter 1 (Introduction) sets the stage; Chapter 2 (Literature Review) provides a theoretical background; Chapter 3 (Comparative Analysis) compares Freiburg, Ahmedabad, and Durban; and Chapter 4 (Case Study Analysis) examines Lagos in detail. Each chapter delves into specific aspects of sustainable urban development.
What are the specific aspects of sustainable urban development examined?
The research examines several aspects, including the built environment, transportation systems, urbanization patterns, land conservation strategies, energy usage, and waste management practices in each city.
What are the key principles of sustainability used for evaluation?
The evaluation uses three core principles of sustainability: environmental protection, social equity, and economic viability.
What is the significance of the Lagos case study?
The Lagos case study provides a practical application of the findings from the comparative analysis. It allows for an assessment of Lagos's current standing in sustainable urban development and identifies areas for improvement based on the lessons learned from the other cities.
What are the key findings (in general terms)?
The research aims to identify best practices and challenges in sustainable urban development from the selected cities and apply these lessons to improve the sustainability of Lagos. Specific findings are detailed within the individual chapters.
Where can I find more detailed information?
The detailed findings and analysis are presented in the full text of the thesis, including a comprehensive literature review and in-depth case study analyses.
- Quote paper
- Toluwani Oluwafemi (Author), 2018, Sustainable Urban Development. Drawing Lessons for Lagos City, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/453265