Global Urbanization and Demand for Natural Resources

Abstract

The global urban population is now increasing at an unprecedented rate, creating tremendous stress on local, regional, and global environments and natural resources. Over half of humanity currently lives in cities and this proportion is expected to increase to nearly 60% over the next 40 years. Urbanization is changing the way humans consume natural sources and is transforming land use. This chapter investigates global urbanization and increased urban demand for natural resources. Land use changes introduced by global urbanization and their impacts on environments and natural resources are explored. Concepts and methodologies for framing global urbanization and demand for natural resources, such as urban metabolism, ecological footprint, lifecycle analysis, and their recent applications are reviewed. The importance of innovative planning and management of urban development to minimize the resource demands of cities by reducing energy and material inflows and closing the urban metabolism loop is discussed.