Abstract
The discussion on urban metabolism has been long dominated by natural scientists focussing on natural forces shaping the energy and material flows in urban systems. However, in the anthropocene human forces such as industrialization and urbanization are mobilizing people, goods and information at an increasing pace and as such have a large impact on urban energy and material flows. In this white paper, we develop a combined natural and social science perspective on urban metabolism. More specifically, innovative conceptual and methodological interdisciplinary approaches are identified and discussed to enhance the understanding of the forces that shape urban metabolism, and how these forces affect urban living and the environment. A challenging research agenda on urban metabolism is also presented.
Highlights
In this anthropocene epoch (Crutzen, 2002) human-driven activities and associated impacts on the environment, such as CO2 accumulation in the atmosphere, have become very pervasive and profound factors for the development of the earth system (Steffen et al, 2007; IPCC, 2014)
We focus on the need to come to a better understanding of the different disciplinary perspectives on urban metabolism through identifying and analyzing the flows and drivers
The challenge is to come to an integrated view of the relationships of the various drivers to the multiple flows and stocks in the urban metabolism (UM). Such an approach needs to build on contributions from various areas of research and scientific disciplines and connect them through inter- and multidisciplinary approaches. For this we put forward a conceptual model comprising a series of layers with each layer representing a field of knowledge/ discipline, which combined can help to come to an improved understanding of the UM, the factors that shape it, and how it may develop towards a sustainable UM
Summary
In this anthropocene epoch (Crutzen, 2002) human-driven activities and associated impacts on the environment, such as CO2 accumulation in the atmosphere, have become very pervasive and profound factors for the development of the earth system (Steffen et al, 2007; IPCC, 2014). This demonstrates how all factors affecting the UM are connected, and that we need to develop an integrated view and vision to better understand UM and ways to shape UM within sustainable development paths (Rosales Carreón and Worrell, 2017) In this white paper, we focus on the need to come to a better understanding of the different disciplinary perspectives on urban metabolism through identifying and analyzing the flows and drivers. Our suggestions in this white paper are the result of an extremely stimulating debate between scientists from a wide variety of disciplines and backgrounds over the past few years These results will certainly not be the final word, but rather set the stage for interdisciplinary analysis to come to a better understanding of the UM and ways to make cities sustainable, healthy and thriving places for humanity. We end this paper with a research agenda on UM
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