Handbook on Urban Sustainability

ISBN-13: 9781402053504 / Angielski / Twarda / 2006 / 804 str.

Nolberto Munier

Opis

A PARAMOUNT CONCEPT The following article, authored by Mathis Wackernagel et al, illustrates the Ecological Footprint concept developed by William Rees and Mathis Wackernagel (1996). This is a fundamental concept to measure sustainability and the unequal use of land resources on the planet. The Ecological Footprint is mentioned many times in this book in different chapters, showing its importance. For this reason it is believed that the inclusion of this paper as a preface to this handbook will not only enhance the reader s understanding of the concept but will also aid in understanding further chapters. Nolberto Munier Editor THE ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT OF CITIES AND REGIONS: COMPARING RESOURCE * AVAILABILITY WITH RESOURCE DEMAND By Mathis Wackernagel, Justin Kitzes, Dan Moran, Steven Goldfinger and Mary Thomas SUMMARY: Cities and regions depend on resources and ecological services from distant ecosystems. The well-being of city and region residents is affected by both the health and availability of these ecosystems, especially in today s ecologically strained world. *Reprinted by permission of Sage Publications Ltd. from: Wackernagel, Mathis et al, The ecological footprint of cities and regions: comparing resource availability with resource demand, Environment and Urbanization, Vol. 18, No. 1, in press. ((c)Sage Publications Ltd., 2006). 1 (c) Sage Publications, 2006 2 Preface The management of a city or region s resource metabolism, including the natural capital that supports these flows, is becoming increasingly a central concern to cities and regions that want to succeed."

Recenzje

"This volume belongs in the library of every serious city planner and policy-maker committed to building a future that works for us all." Mathis Wackernagel, Global Footprint Network

Spis treści

Contributors. Acknowledgements.- Preface: The Ecological Footprint Of Cities And Regions: Comparing Resource Availability with Resource Demand.- Introduction.- Characteristics and Analysis of Urban Sustainable Systems.- Urban Social Sustainability.- The City and Its Environment.- Economy of the City and its Region.- Improving Lives of Slum Dwellers: Challenges and Strategies.- Planning for Sustainable Urban Environments.- Towards Sustainable Municipal Infrastructure Asset Management.- Urban Energy Management.- Urban Transportation Management.- Energy Use and Urban Buildings.- An Example of Creation of Self-Managed Cities.- Urban Wastes Management.- Water in the Urban Environment.- Natural Risk Assessment and Management.- Urban Reconstruction.- Road Map to Urban Sustainability and Decision-Making.- Process for Implementing a Municipal Sustainability Plan.- Glossary. Index.- Colour Plates.

Blurb

Municipal authorities and agencies around the world are striving to place their cities on the road to sustainability. Cities, as very complex entities, offer a constant interaction between people, resources and the environment. This makes strategic planning demanding and difficult.

This book, written by worldwide specialists from Canada, India, Italy, Palestine, Peru, Spain and the Netherlands, is a guide to establishing a city on a sustainable path. It addresses sustainable urban planning issues by breaking the city down to its main components. The authors analyze and discuss such topics as:

• urban social and economic factors, including immigration and cultural integration, the gender component, the formation of slums, and social indicators
• the interaction of the city with the environment, including the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
• urban and regional economics, including specialization and dependency, asset management, and community facilities
• the relationship of a city within its region
• urban planning, including urban sprawl and core revitalization
• housing and relocation, including such concepts as community participation
• degradation and measures to reverse this situation
• energy needs, transportation management, basic infrastructural services, the generation and disposal of waste, and water in the region
• a city’s preparedness, including risk analysis and contingency plans
• urban reconstruction after disasters

The concluding chapters provide a ‘what to do and how to do it’ practical roadmap for implementing a sustainability program.

 

"This volume belongs in the library of every serious city planner and policy-maker committed to building a future that works for us all."

                                                             Mathis Wackernagel, Global Footprint Network