Sustainable and Liveable Cities
Environment
At present cities, on two per cent of the earth's surface, use 75 per cent of its resources. In the 'age of the city' we need new parameters for urban planning. The sustainable, resource efficient city is one of the great challenges of the 21st century. Much also needs to be done to deal with the inhospitality of modern cities. Concrete measures must be taken to reduce the need for travel, revive public transport and to reduce the dependence on the private motorcar.
What policy measures are needed to improve the resource productivity of our cities? How can we create cities that have a 'circular metabolism', that function well on a frugal use of resources, and whose wastes do not overload nature? How can we best create attractive public spaces, buildings and markets? How can we assure a greater presence of nature in the urban fabric? How can cities more effectively learn from one another about sustainability and liveability?
