Why Cities?
Significant Impacts
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)
Urbanization and Resource Management
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
Opportunities
Urban Density allowing Economies of Scale
Urban Diversity furthering Innovation Capacity
