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Urban centres provide opportunities for a range of social and cultural activities, as well as being critical for innovations in science, technology and education. They are also of critical importance for social and economic development. However, with approximately 40% of global energy use taking place within city buildings, this sector is also the single largest contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions.
As a result, the design and use of energy and resource-efficient buildings has a key role in climate change mitigation to accelerate the global green economy transition. Although vast savings are possible by constructing new green buildings and retrofitting existing buildings, even greater gains can be achieved by adopting a long-term life-cycle approach involving stakeholders at different stages – from environmentally-minded investors and architects, to sustainable extraction, construction and usage, and the eventual demolition and the recycling or disposal of the building materials.
Cities are well-placed to play a major role in decoupling economic development from resource use and environmental impacts, while finding a better balance between social, environmental and economic objectives. Resource-efficient cities combine greater productivity and innovation with lower costs and reduced environmental impacts, offering at the same time financial savings and increased sustainability.
Created a Post in Cities and Urban Development
“No Return to Business as Usual”: Mayors Pledge on COVID-19 Economic Recovery. What are the priorities?
Cities can gain multiple co-benefits from climate action. In this report, learn about cities such as León, Mexico, which is reforesting public spaces with native species, updating their bus rapid transit, conducting daily monitoring of air pollutants, and continuing to invest in cycling infrastructure and promote bicycling.
San Salvador city is ready to adopt sponge city concept that has proved successful in reducing flood risk in several other cities in different countries. In San Salvador, floods and landslides are washing away valuable topsoil, and with it the fertility of the coffee plantations.
COVID-19 has highlighted several challenges facing smart city projects. As technological advancements to address them come fast, there is a growing need for cities around the world to innovate while keeping stakeholder concerns at the center of their future roadmaps. Find out five imperatives for building smart and inclusive cities, which include cleaner and greener urban transport.
What carbon neutral paths can cities take to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius?
Seoul announced plans to create its first “wind path forests” to circulate clean air, absorb particulate matter and minimise the urban heat island effect. There will be three types of forest: Wind-generating forests, connecting forests, and smaller forests. Seoul Metropolitan Government said that this initiative could help reduce the average temperature in downtown Seoul by up to 7 degrees Celsius in summer.
How could COVID-19 shape urban infrastructure to be more sustainable? Think compact city.
How can countries grow their economies and keep air pollution in check at the same time? A new blog and World Bank report explore this question, with insights from Beijing, New Delhi, and Mexico City on how current and past efforts improved air quality.
Created an Event in Cities and Urban Development, Transportation and Mobility
Does your city need funding for climate-friendly projects?
The Green City Finance Directory, developed in partnership between the Alliance and the Penn Institute for Urban Research, is a resource to help subnational governments and stakeholders identify project preparation facilities that can support them in developing green and resilient infrastructure, including implementing more efficient heating and cooling systems, building renewable energy, setting up sustainable transit, or climate-proofing resilient infrastructure.