Evaluation Using Sustainability Indicators for Urban Metabolism in Shanghai, China

Abstract

A material-energy flow analysis model was developed and the direct and indirect environmental burdens associated with urban metabolism in Shanghai, China, from 2007 to 2016, were evaluated by using four sustainability indicators: total material requirement, ecological footprint, CO₂ emission, and chemical footprint. The results clarified that the direct material input related to the accumulation of architecture building stock and the indirect environmental burden associated with manufacturing are significant large. Furthermore, the chemical footprint rose by 211％ over the ten-year period from 2007 as a result of increased volatile organic compound （VOC） emissions associated with urban activities. A multiple evaluation using sustainability indicators demonstrated that recycling construction materials and reducing VOC emissions from transportation are effective to reduce overall environmental burdens in Shanghai.