An example of Sustainable Urban Living
BedZED (Beddington
Zero Energy
Development)
It is in SW London
Video from BBC here
Your Task:
• For the exam you will need to know the
following for this case study:
• The characteristics of a sustainable city
• Environmental: the importance of
conserving historical and natural
features, using brownfield sites,
providing open spaces, reducing and
disposing of waste.
• Social: including local people in decision
making, providing an efficient public
transport system
BedZED claims to be the UK’s largest sustainable community. Built in
2002, it has 100 homes designed to provide ordinary people with a high
quality of life while living within their share of the earth’s resources.
BedZED, in Beddington, south-west London, was built on a brownfield
site on previously industrial land. Fifty per cent of houses are for private
sale or rent, 25% for shared ownership and 25% social housing for rent
Photo: Bio Regional
In a BedZED home energy use for heating and hot water is reduced 81%
by simple things like south-facing windows and triple glazing. Electricity
consumption is reduced 45% by low-energy lighting and appliances
BedZED walls are thicker than average, with insulation between the
bricks to prevent energy loss. The building materials have used less
energy to make and, where possible, are locally produced
A combined heat and power plant was designed to burn BedZED waste
to produce hot water and electricity. But technical and commercial
difficulties mean the system is not in operation and will be replaced.
Effluent from the buildings is treated on site and the water is used for
flushing toilets
A distinctive feature of the buildings is the wind cowls on the roofs.
These cowls ventilate the houses and recover heat from the air
coming out. The roofs are covered by solar panels (to generate
electricity) and plants (for insulation and a habitat for wildlife)
People separate their waste in their kitchens to make recycling and
composting easier. Sixty per cent of waste is recycled, three times the
UK average. Residents encourage each other to recycle
BedZED has a green transport plan to reduce car mileage. There is a
car-sharing club and electric car charging points. Good public transport
links and cycle storage spaces are also provided
Photo credits
The photographs included in this presentation
were taken by Bio Regional.
For more information and images of BedZED visit:
www.bioregional.com/what-we-do/ourwork/bedzed/
Using the blog as a resource….
• Use the www.geogteacher.wordpress.com site.
Click on changing urban environments in the
blue category cloud and you will find 2 posts on
Bedzed. Use these to do your work.
• Don’t miss out on those 8/8 answers I put a link
to - they really are excellent!
What the syllabus says you need to
know ….
• The characteristics of a sustainable city.
• Environmental – the importance of conserving the
historic and natural environment. Use of Brownfield sites.
Reducing and safely disposing of waste. Providing
adequate open spaces.
• Social – including local people in the decision-making
process. Provision of an efficient public transport system.
• A case study of sustainable urban living.
What you need to do…. Either a) draw a
spider diagram b) draw a bedzed house or
c) write an essay
• Introduction: What is Bedzed and where is it?
• Main part: a) In what ways has Bedzed tried to be
sustainable? b) What impact do these schemes have? (Split
into sections such as: energy, water, transport, community etc)
• Conclusion: what do you think of their achievements? Is
Bedzed a success? Refer to the evidence you have collected
Social
characteristics
General place
specific
information
Environmental
characteristics
Bedzed
Bedzed: your work
An exam question from 2010 said
“Use one or more named case
studies to describe the features of a
sustainable settlement.” (8 marks)
Read the 4 answers, all of which I
gave 8/8
Use a case study to describe the main features of
sustainable urban living. (8 marks)
The sustainable urban settlement I have studied is Bedzed in
South London. They have made efforts to be sustainable
both socially and environmentally.
One of the schemes they have used for the environment is
to….. This is sustainable because it …..
A second environment scheme is …… this is sustainable
because
A 3rd scheme for the environment is …. This is sustainable
because….
One of the schemes for the people is …. This is piece of
sustainable because it helps people ….. (mention quality of
life or standard of living)
Overall the most important feature of Bedzed is… this is
because ….