“if they are well planned and developed, including through integrated planning and management approaches, cities can promote economically, socially and environmentally sustainable societies.” Ban Ki-moon
Secretary-General, United Nations
As per CBD report, by 2050, an estimated 6.3 billion people will inhabit the world’s towns and cities -- an increase of 3.5 billion from 2010. Our planet will have undergone the largest and fastest period of urban expansion in human history. The area directly transformed in the next four decades will be roughly the size of South Africa, and the new demands of cities will reshape most landscapes, both built and natural. Urban growth will have significant impacts on biodiversity, natural habitats and many ecosystem services that society relies on.
The challenges of urbanization are profound, but so too are the opportunities. Well-designed cities can sustainably accommodate large numbers of people in a relatively small amount of space, offering improved quality of life and allowing for greater resource efficiency and the preservation of larger intact natural areas. Cities can reconcile human society and biodiversity by creating environments that are ecologically sustainable, economically productive, socially just, politically, participatory and culturally, vibrant.
So the challenge we have is how to make Biodiversity fashionable in big cities.....please send your suggestions in the comment boxes, we will be running a series of blogs on this topic and your inputs will be highly appreciated.
Secretary-General, United Nations
As per CBD report, by 2050, an estimated 6.3 billion people will inhabit the world’s towns and cities -- an increase of 3.5 billion from 2010. Our planet will have undergone the largest and fastest period of urban expansion in human history. The area directly transformed in the next four decades will be roughly the size of South Africa, and the new demands of cities will reshape most landscapes, both built and natural. Urban growth will have significant impacts on biodiversity, natural habitats and many ecosystem services that society relies on.
The challenges of urbanization are profound, but so too are the opportunities. Well-designed cities can sustainably accommodate large numbers of people in a relatively small amount of space, offering improved quality of life and allowing for greater resource efficiency and the preservation of larger intact natural areas. Cities can reconcile human society and biodiversity by creating environments that are ecologically sustainable, economically productive, socially just, politically, participatory and culturally, vibrant.
So the challenge we have is how to make Biodiversity fashionable in big cities.....please send your suggestions in the comment boxes, we will be running a series of blogs on this topic and your inputs will be highly appreciated.
