Urban metabolism: Measuring the Kaunas city sustainable development

Abstract

Urban metabolism seeks to assess the amount of resources produced, consumer and disposed of in the city. Material and energy flow analysis becomes an important tool to understand the city's environment and propose the more sustainable urban design and planning to improve residents' health, ensure sustainable production and consumption. The purpose of this study is to measure the changes in Kaunas city material and energy use in period from 2010 to 2018. Kaunas city urban metabolism analysis is based on energy production and outflows data analysis with the city's waste management analysis from an urban metabolism perspective. To understand the city social and economic transformation, it is also including social and economic aspects analysis. Research results have revealed better living conditions and a growing economy increase energy production and demand, construction materials, and waste flows along with rising environmental issues. Air pollution analysis has shown that SO2, CO2, NO2 and O3 emissions in the city remain stable. The paper helps to understand the importance of assessing city's environmental impact and highlights the necessity of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) implementation.