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STATE OF THE WORLD'S CITIES 2012/2013 Prosperity

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Chapter 2.5<br />

Environmental<br />

Sustainability and the<br />

<strong>Prosperity</strong> of Cities<br />

The prosperity and environmental sustainability of cities are<br />

inextricably linked. Urban areas consume huge amounts of<br />

environmental goods and services like food, water, energy,<br />

forestry, building materials, and ‘green’ or open spaces often<br />

beyond their boundaries. This undermines the assimilative<br />

capacity of the environment around urban areas. 1 For<br />

example, the cities of the world generate over 720 billion<br />

tons of wastes every year, but in developing regions, even<br />

in large, presumably more<br />

affluent, cities only 25 to<br />

55 per cent of wastes are<br />

collected. 2 Demographic<br />

and spatial expansion can<br />

be so rapid as to outstrip<br />

the capacity of cities to<br />

provide basic amenities −<br />

housing, water and<br />

sanitation, etc. − resulting<br />

in poor urban conditions. 3<br />

FACT Environmentally<br />

sustainable cities<br />

are likely to be more<br />

productive, competitive,<br />

innovative, and prosperous<br />

enough to provide better<br />

preservation for the<br />

environment and enhance<br />

quality of life and well-being<br />

for all the population.<br />

POLICy<br />

Inasmuch cities are sources of environmental<br />

problems within and beyond their jurisdictions,<br />

they are also best-placed to provide most of the solutions.<br />

Environmentally sustainable cities are able to draw a healthy<br />

balance between economic growth and the environment, and<br />

facilitate prosperity and resilience in the process. 4<br />

78<br />

A key message is that prosperous cities can operate<br />

efficiently and productively without damaging the<br />

environment. 5 This is possible only when environmental<br />

and social objectives are fully integrated in a city’s overall<br />

economic goals to help bring about environmental<br />

sustainability. 6<br />

ENvIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITy IN <strong>CITIES</strong><br />

It is generally assumed that any country can preserve<br />

the environment while maintaining economic growth. 7<br />

However, a degree of commitment is required from all<br />

Solar panel assembly at a Suntech factory in Wuxi, China. A high<br />

percentage of China's homes use solar-heated water.<br />

© Qilai Shen/Panos Pictures

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