Abstract
The highest share of the global population lives in cities. The current configuration of the latter requires considerable amounts of resource flows causing the degradation of local and global ecosystems. To face the complexity of these challenges, scientists use the concept of urban metabolism (UM), i.e. measuring urban input and output flows from a systemic perspective. This accounting method results in a large data collection from multiple sources that are often not harmonised. Metabolism of Cities Data Hub is an online platform which facilitates data collection, processing and visualisation in order to extract urban metabolism insights. This work highlights the challenges faced when mining urban metabolism data in the case of Lausanne and Geneva, as well as provides insights on how data could be best used from users and providers. Slight differences between the two case studies, in terms of data accessibility and availability where experienced but the main challenges revolved around data copyright, format and availability. As a conclusion, the used tool can enable harmonisation and standardisation of UM data. As such it could contribute to the use of data mining to streamline the environmental monitoring of cities as well as facilitate the creation of mitigation strategies.
Highlights
Cities are the arenas where social, economic, political, cultural activities co-exist and are deeply intertwined
To face the complexity of these challenges, scientists use the concept of urban metabolism (UM), i.e. measuring urban input and output flows from a systemic perspective
The current functioning of urban areas and their associated activities are responsible for the extraction and transformation of resources which in turn result in the degradation of local and global ecosystems but are directly or indirectly linked to profound societal crises [2]
Summary
Cities are the arenas where social, economic, political, cultural activities co-exist and are deeply intertwined. The current functioning of urban areas and their associated activities are responsible for the extraction and transformation of resources which in turn result in the degradation of local and global ecosystems but are directly or indirectly linked to profound societal crises [2]. The complexity of these interlinkages makes it difficult to discern how to deal with, let alone tackle, them. One strand of researchers focuses on the accounting of resource use flows entering, being transformed and or stocked, and released in the form of pollution flows [2] This environmental accounting procedure uses different accounting methods ranging from
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
