Why Cities?

Cities occupy 3% of land surface

Cities consume over 70% of natural resources and energy

Cities produces 80% of the global GDP

Cities produce 60% of GHG emissions and waste

54% of the global population lives in urban areas

Urban population growth increases by 1.8% every year

Cities are particularly vulnerable (e.g. coastal cities)

As much as 50% of the urban fabric expected to exist by 2050 must still be constructed

Increasing demands for housing, water, food, materials, and waste generation as population and urbanisation expands

Need to better understand resource flows in/through cities and environmental impact

Water scarcity is emerging as a critical issue in rapidly urbanising cities (e.g. water table in parts of Delhi decreasing 2 metres/year)

Loss of Biodiversity in cities

Urban Density allowing Economies of Scale

Urban Diversity furthering Innovation Capacity