Cities People Planet: Urban Development and Climate Change, 2nd EditionISBN: 978-0-470-77270-6
Paperback
328 pages
May 2008
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Urban growth is changing the condition of humanity and the face of
the earth. Half the world's people now live in cities, with most of
the other half depending on them for their economic survival.
Mega-cities of ten million or more people are the largest, most
complex structures ever made. They are the Central hubs of modern
economies and their transport systems. The resource use and waste
discharge of contemporary cities dominate the human presence on
earth. Fossil fuel technology powers modern urbanisation, but in
the coming decades many cities will become vulnerable to the rising
tides of climate change. Across the world, we need a revolution in
'future-proofing' our cities, dramatically increasing their energy
efficiency, switching to renewable energy technology and mimicking
natural zero-waste ecosystems.
Since its publication in 2004, Cities People Planet has established itself as the classic book on urbanisation. With this new edition, the fast-moving text and ninety case studies of leading-edge city initiatives the world over, have been supplemented by a new chapter that looks at how cities are constructively tackling climate change as the changes to both the biosphere and the atmosphere have become undisputed and as the depletion of natural resources are becoming a major constraint. Girardet discusses the work that has been done in established cities such as Heidelberg in Germany, Adelaide in Australia and Working in the UK, as well as the pioneering efforts that are being undertake in eco-cities such as Dongtan, near Shanghai, Where an entire metropolis is being built from scratch for half a million inhabitants.
'Praise for 1st edition of cities People Planet: 'Timely textbook' - Ecologist, March 2005
'This book is as good a place as any to start [on the topic sustainability]' - RIBA Journal, March 2005
Since its publication in 2004, Cities People Planet has established itself as the classic book on urbanisation. With this new edition, the fast-moving text and ninety case studies of leading-edge city initiatives the world over, have been supplemented by a new chapter that looks at how cities are constructively tackling climate change as the changes to both the biosphere and the atmosphere have become undisputed and as the depletion of natural resources are becoming a major constraint. Girardet discusses the work that has been done in established cities such as Heidelberg in Germany, Adelaide in Australia and Working in the UK, as well as the pioneering efforts that are being undertake in eco-cities such as Dongtan, near Shanghai, Where an entire metropolis is being built from scratch for half a million inhabitants.
'Praise for 1st edition of cities People Planet: 'Timely textbook' - Ecologist, March 2005
'This book is as good a place as any to start [on the topic sustainability]' - RIBA Journal, March 2005