The sustainability of urban neighborhoods versus suburban areas is one topic slated for discussion during Sustainability Chats from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday, March 13 at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
“Urban populations are more sustainable than low density suburban populations,” said Dr. Andrew J. Theising, associate professor, Political Science and director, Institute of Urban Research (IUR). Theising is one of three guest speakers on the program at the Sustainability Chats, “Increase the Power of Your Degree,” in the Morris University Center’s Maple/Dogwood Room.
The schedule for the Sustainability Chats includes: 11 a.m.-noon, Dr. Jessica DeSpain, assistant professor, SIUE English Language and Literature, Year of The Book Omnivores’ Dilemma; noon-1 p.m., Theising, who also is the director of SIUE East St. Louis Center, Urban Development; and 1-2 p.m. Dr. Linda Markowitz, professor, Sociology, Corporations and Over Consumption.
Theising gave a brief explanation for his assessment of urban areas relating to sustainability. Cities that have taller buildings have more efficient usage per square foot. And it’s possible to live in an urban area and not own a car, he said.
Another example Theising gave for consideration was 100 families living in one tall building. There would be fewer electrical wires, sewer lines, street lights and less paved sidewalks there, he said, than placing those same 100 families in a subdivision. Spreading those families out would require much more infrastructure.
“Yet, the urban and suburban customer pay the same rate for sewer, electricity and water, even though the cost to deliver them are very different,” Theising said. “Suburbia comes at a cost.”
Markowitz would agree that when it comes to sustainability, the price and costs are not always equal.
“We here in the United States make up 4 percent of the global population, yet we consume 25 percent of the world’s resources,” Markowitz said. “Not only do we consume more than our share, we also create more than our share of pollution.”
The sociology professor noted Madison County’s environmental report card. According to Markowitz, the county has flunked its environmental report card for the past few years and is second only to Los Angeles County for rates of cancer caused by pollution. Markowitz will talk further about overconsumption in the U.S. and the structural causes that promote it.
“Sustainability has become an important concern to every business,” said Wolf Mark Veverka, vice president of SIUE’s Student Organization for Sustainability (SOS). “Not only is it the right thing to do, but it improves the bottom line, improves a company’s competitiveness, and helps address the increasing demand for limited resources companies need to do business.”
SOS is sponsoring the Chats, which are designed to help students “learn why sustainability is an important component of any degree in an engaging and interactive atmosphere.” For more information, visit SOS online, friend them on Facebook and follow them on twitter @ sossiue. Details about SIUE’s sustainable options and programs can be found on the sustainability homepage.