Future proofing cities
Around 75 per cent of the world's population will live in cities within 40 years. Almost all of this population growth will happen in the developing world, with 4.6 billion people projected to live in already rapidly growing Asian and African cities.
How will these cities in the developing world cope socially, environmentally and economically with such accelerated urbanisation?
A major new report has been published in a unique partnership by Atkins, the UK Department for International Development (DFID) and University College London (UCL), which assesses the risks to 129 cities - from mega cities like Bangkok to smaller cities such as Zaria in Africa. It looks at their risk profile from climate hazards, resource scarcities, and damage to ecosystems and urges action now to future proof against these risks.
This report provides a fresh approach to the urgent issues arising from rapid urbanisation. It assesses the environmental risks facing cities in an integrated way and identifies more than 100 practical policy options that are most relevant and will be of most benefit to the different types of cities.
In addition it is a new approach to research as it brings together policy expertise and practical application from the outset. It builds on the collective work on urbanisation by DFID, Atkins and UCL.
The report is set against a growing awareness of the need for increased funding for infrastructure development in developing countries at the city level.
With forewords from the World Bank and the Rockefeller Foundation, the report findings are essential reading for those who live, work or invest in cities.
David Tonkin, CEO UK, Atkins, commented: “The earlier cities take steps to future proof themselves the better. As this report demonstrates, these are complex challenges which require deep technical skills brought together to understand the scale and urgency of the risks that cities face. Through our broad experience of working in cities around the world and our ability to integrate a range of disciplines we understand both the complexity and the opportunities that can be created. It is not easy, but it is important that all those who live, work and invest in cities come together and shape solutions for their future.”
For more information on this report, please email elspeth.finch@atkinsglobal.com or nick.godfrey@atkinsglobal.com.
You can also download the executive summary of the report, request the full report or find more information at www.futureproofingcities.com.
For further information on our approach to, and experience of, Future Proofing Cities, please download our brochure here.
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