The Role of Sustainable Architecture in an Era of Environmental Challenges

Introduction

The accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere has been increasing rapidly due to various factors such as the use of fossil fuels, increasing world population, production activities in cities, reduction in forest areas, and misuse of land since the industrial revolution. All these factors intensify the natural greenhouse effect. They cause an increase in the surface temperature of the world and climate change with the contribution of increasing urbanization. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) defines climate change as a change of climate that occurs over comparable time periods as a result of natural changes or human activities. However, climate change experienced in the 21st century is also referred to as 'anthropogenic' (human-induced) climate change, because greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change have arisen as a result of human activities (IPCC, 2018). In order for the efforts carried out by international organizations in combating global warming to succeed, it is necessary to consider and evaluate especially urban areas where human activities that cause climate change are concentrated. There is a two-way relationship between climate change and urban areas; on the one hand, while some urban areas are already suffering from the negative side of climate change; on the other hand, urban activities that cause climate change are the biggest contributors to this problem. According to PlaNYC, urban areas“are at the forefront of both the causes and effects of climate change. Urban areas are estimated to be the source of approximately 80% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions” (PlaNYC, 2011). 56.2% of the world's population lives in urban and this number is constantly increasing; In the last 60 years, the number of people living in urban centers has more than fourfold (D. Satterthwaite, 2020). Therefore, urban areas must be encouraged more inclusive growth; adapted to climate change and action should be taken in these areas to reduce the risks of climate change. The problem is not just only related to the environmental issue. It also has devastating effects on communities, individuals socially and economically. According to a study conducted by the World Health Organization, by 2030, climate change is expected to contribute to approximately 250,000 additional deaths per year due to malnutrition, malaria, diarrhea, and heat stress (WHO, 2018, p. 20). In addition to negatively affecting human health, urban areas will face sea-level rise, tropical cyclones, heavy precipitation events, extreme heat events, drought (UNEP, 2019b).

The Brundtland Report, also known as our “common future”, warned the world in 1987 of the urgency to make progress towards sustainable development without making the world an inhabitable place for living things or depleting natural resources, or irreversibly damaging the environment. Starting with this report, important steps have been taken in the international arena. The United Nations Environment Program in 1988 and the World “Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)” established with the support of the Meteorology Organization, 1992 Rio Summit, 1997, Kyoto Climate Change Protocol, 2002 Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development are some of these initiatives. The initiatives require a planning process so that the measures taken do not conflict with each other. Although the common goal of the initiatives is to focus on restricting emissions of greenhouse gases, a measure taken at a lower scale may conflict with a measure taken at a higher scale. For example, the trend of increasing the density of cities, especially in Europe in recent years (Biesbroek et al., 2010), to reduce GHG from transport (Williams et al., 2000), has revealed many problems such as urban heat islands, increased flood risk, poor health consequences for residents (Dawson, 2011; Holderness et al., 2013; Hunt & Watkiss, 2011). This is where the importance of taking multiple parameters into account and applying them in comprehensive spatial planning to achieve a sustainable future emerges. Spatial planning can facilitate communication between local, regional, inter-regional, and global goals, taking into account various regional dimensions, and ensure consistent decisions to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Once the measures are decided within a plan, the root of the problems can be addressed with a bottom-up approach.