1 The Tower of Babel was a Coastal Edifice
5
1.1
Taking Nature into Account
Environmental costs have to be internalised. Scarce goods (like raw materials and energy) must have a higher price than relatively abundant ones. As a result, raw materials
will have to be used sparingly and prevention of environmental damage financially
stimulated. The costs are to be internalised by means of taxes, subsidies, tradeable rights,
and laws and regulations.
1.2
A Drastic Increase in Productivity
Since industry and authorities will have to internalise environmental costs (see Sect. 1.1),
they shall and will strive to improve the efficiency of raw materials and energy, instead of the old focus on labour efficiency. In this field a true revolution will take place
(the efficiency will increase by a factor of 4 in 20 years and a factor of 10 in 50 years),
which will affect product design, production technology and consumption (dematerialisation). It has to become common policy to minimise the material input per unit service (MIPS).
1.3
New Policy Indicators Measure Welfare
The old emphasis on income growth has to be replaced by a broader definition of welfare as a criterion for progress (environment, social aspects, health, material welfare).
New policy indicators (national as well as regional) will provide insight in to this broad
view of welfare. Within the next 10 years, globally, the GNP will have to be adjusted for
environmental losses, and so the green GNP is coming into sight.
1.4
Concentration and Separation of Spatial Functions
Spatial functions (like buildings, recreation, nature and agriculture) will have to be
geographically strictly demarcated. Areas must have a dear function and dear boundaries. Large contrasts will have to be recognised by gradual transitions, like water-purifying swamps or park-like recreation areas between city and nature.
1.S
Explicit Management/Conservation and Development
of National Parks
Large nature reserves will have to be safeguarded, and their self-regulation restored.
Green and ecological functions must be fully developed. In natural areas the infrastructure will have to be reduced and constructed according to the latest technical concepts with the least possible damage to the area.
5
1.1
Taking Nature into Account
Environmental costs have to be internalised. Scarce goods (like raw materials and energy) must have a higher price than relatively abundant ones. As a result, raw materials
will have to be used sparingly and prevention of environmental damage financially
stimulated. The costs are to be internalised by means of taxes, subsidies, tradeable rights,
and laws and regulations.
1.2
A Drastic Increase in Productivity
Since industry and authorities will have to internalise environmental costs (see Sect. 1.1),
they shall and will strive to improve the efficiency of raw materials and energy, instead of the old focus on labour efficiency. In this field a true revolution will take place
(the efficiency will increase by a factor of 4 in 20 years and a factor of 10 in 50 years),
which will affect product design, production technology and consumption (dematerialisation). It has to become common policy to minimise the material input per unit service (MIPS).
1.3
New Policy Indicators Measure Welfare
The old emphasis on income growth has to be replaced by a broader definition of welfare as a criterion for progress (environment, social aspects, health, material welfare).
New policy indicators (national as well as regional) will provide insight in to this broad
view of welfare. Within the next 10 years, globally, the GNP will have to be adjusted for
environmental losses, and so the green GNP is coming into sight.
1.4
Concentration and Separation of Spatial Functions
Spatial functions (like buildings, recreation, nature and agriculture) will have to be
geographically strictly demarcated. Areas must have a dear function and dear boundaries. Large contrasts will have to be recognised by gradual transitions, like water-purifying swamps or park-like recreation areas between city and nature.
1.S
Explicit Management/Conservation and Development
of National Parks
Large nature reserves will have to be safeguarded, and their self-regulation restored.
Green and ecological functions must be fully developed. In natural areas the infrastructure will have to be reduced and constructed according to the latest technical concepts with the least possible damage to the area.