state of the world's cities 2012/2013 - United Nations Sustainable ...

Environmental Sustainability and the Prosperity of Citiesinstitutions and grassroots leaders collaborating oncommunity outreach schemes, and various programmesThe main message from Arab States is thatinvolving the citizenry in the ‘sustainable’ agenda. The city- policy urbanisation and economic growth are inevitable;and if matched with appropriate and effective policies andState’s ‘compact city initiative’ promotes density, facilitatesgovernance, the environmental consequences are manageable.mass transit and includes a ‘walkable’ campaign. UnderSingapore’s waste management scheme, 58 per cent of solidwastes are recycled, another 40 per cent incinerated toproduce energy, and the remaining two per cent goes to a are rarely considered”, with an absence of effective policiespurpose built off-shore sanitary landfill.for urban planning, although they are needed in areaslike traffic and waste management. 19 However, in Doha,Cities in Arab StatesAqaba and Dubai, most local experts report that theirAcross Arab States, only one-third of local experts consider respective cities have proper policies in place. In Dubai,that economic development has unintended detrimental environmental sustainability policies include the Emirates’effects on the environment (Figure 2.5.3). However, this Energy and Environment Rating System and the Airfavourable average conceals sharp differences acrossQuality Management System, among other robust policiescities. Experts that view that economic development has and governance mechanisms promoting environmentalnegative effects on the environment are an overwhelming sustainability in Qatar’s capital city. 20majority in Beirut, and 50 per cent in Kuwait City, Shirazand Muharrak in Bahrain. These cities have relatively Latin America and the Caribbeanlarge populations (Beirut, Kuwait City and Shiraz) and Two distinct phenomena may be at play here: the region’sintense economic activity. In Beirut, local experts see a high rates of urban spatial expansion and relatively highdirect link between rapidurban expansion andenvironmental problems,with one describing the cityFigure 2.5.3as “a metaphor for brutal Environmental Impact of Growth* – Arab Citiesreal estate speculation”,per centwith attendant noise90pollution and trafficcongestion. 1780Similarly in Kuwait70City, local experts pointto the construction boom60associated with economicgrowth and urban50expansion. As noted by40one, this double boom hasplaced “acute pressures on30road networks, with trafficbecoming a nightmare”. 1820Only very few local10experts in Saida (Lebanon),Basra and Beirut believe0their respective citiespromote environmentalsustainability as a matter* As perceived by local experts surveyed by UN-Habitatof policy. In Beirut,Source: UN-Habitat, City Monitoring Branch, Policy Survey, 2011“environmental concernsBeirutKuwait CityMuharrakShirazAmmanBasraErbilDubaiDohaAqabaSaidaAll SampledArab Cities81