This book argues that accelerating action toward sustainability for and by cities and their inhabitants can make a huge difference to humanity’s endeavor to recover from current crises and build a sustainable future. It sheds light on cutting-edge concepts and actions toward sustainability that can taken by and for cities and with citizens. In this book, author Voula Mega takes the reader on a journey inside and across cities and highlights efforts toward a paradigmatic shift that reconciles human systems with nature. Leadership, education, innovation, trust and citizen empowerment all play a crucial role for the co-invention of a new model that balances human well-being, sustainable prosperity and the future of the planet. Building on robust evidence and inspired by best practices, Human Sustainable Cities offers compelling messages and convincing advice to all stakeholders who are striving to overcome crises, speed up the path toward resilience and preparedness and bounce forward better.
Author(s): Voula Mega
Publisher: Springer
Year: 2022
Language: English
Pages: 322
City: Cham
Preface
Acknowledgements
Contents
List of Watercolours
Acronyms and Abbreviations
Chapter 1: A Planet of Cities at a Time Unlike Any Other: Towards the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda
1.1 Cities at the year 2021: Megatrends, Upheavals and Drivers of Change
1.2 The Sustainable Development Goals 2030: A Most Valuable Compass
1.3 Cities Accelerating Progress After the Cascade of Crises
1.4 The Bond Between Cities and Citizens: The Transitions Ahead
References
Selected Websites
Chapter 2: Urban Ecology and Humanism: Pathways to Renaissance
2.1 Biodiversity and Resourceful Urban Ecosystems
2.2 Zero-Pollution for Air, Water and Soil in Cities
2.3 For a Reinforced Geostrategic Nexus ‘Health-Water-Food-Energy’
2.3.1 Health: A Global Public Good that Links All Living Beings and the Environment
2.3.2 Water, an Irreplaceable, Vital and Scarce Resource to Preserve
2.3.3 Striving for Nutritious, Affordable Food and Food Waste Elimination
2.3.4 Clean Energy: Fundamental for Clean Air, Good Health, Sustainable Food
2.4 Nature-Powered Design and Ecological Lighthouses in Cities
References
Selected Websites
Chapter 3: Climate-Conscious Cities: The Critical Decade to 2030
3.1 Cities and Climate: Highly Interlinked and in Still to Impact Ways
3.1.1 The Climate Existential Threat for Humanity Striving to Recover from the Pandemic
3.1.2 Cities on the Climate Scene: Need for Accelerating and Amplifying Action
3.2 Climate Mitigation and Adaptation in Farsighted Cities
3.3 Climate Intertwined Extreme Events and Eco-Systemic Resilience
3.4 Strengthening Preparedness in Vulnerable Waterside Cities
References
Selected Websites
Chapter 4: The Energy Race to Decarbonisation
4.1 The Future Belongs to Renewable and Efficient Energy
4.1.1 The World Energy Outlook at the Singular Year 2020
4.1.2 Efficient Renewable Energy Is the Only Future for Decarbonizing Cities
4.2 Cities Heading the Buildings Renovation Wave
4.3 Smarter Mobility for Cleaner, Fairer and Accessible Cities
4.3.1 Sustainable Urban Mobility: Walking, Cycling and Cleaner Public Transport
4.3.2 Sustainable Urban Mobility Models and Awards
4.4 Urban and Local Excellence for Post-carbon Societies
References
Selected Websites
Chapter 5: Regenerative Wellbeing Economies for Sustainable Cities
5.1 Resourceful Cities at the Heart of the Circular Transformation
5.2 Essential Activities and the Human-Centred Industry 5.0
5.3 Responsible Corporate Conduct and Investments for Net Zero
5.4 Competitive and Sustainable City Performances and Indexes
References
Selected Websites
Chapter 6: A New Social Contract for Healthy, Safe and Happy Cities for All
6.1 Open and Just, Welcoming and Sharing Cities
6.2 Inclusiveness and Diversity, Employment and Integration
6.3 Sustainable, Equitable and Affordable Housing
6.4 Healthy and Safe Cities, Gender-Conscious and Citi-Zen
References
Selected Websites
Chapter 7: Cities as Living Labs of Knowledge, Co-creation and Innovation
7.1 Smarter Cities: Investing in Science, Technology and Sustainability
7.2 Human and Artificial Intelligence, Tangible and Intangible Assets
7.3 Outstanding Public, Cultural and Heritage Commons
7.4 Art and Architecture for Quality of Life in Cities
References
Selected Websites
Chapter 8: Accountable Strategic Planning and Citizen Engagement
8.1 Strategic Foresight, Vision and Integrated Action Planning
8.2 Children, Youth and Education for Urban Sustainability
8.3 Institutions, Stakeholders and Quintuple Helices
8.4 Participative Democracy and the Right to the City
References
Selected Websites
Chapter 9: Cities and Citizens in Concert for the Global Sustainability Bond
9.1 Urban Leadership, Networks and Coalitions of the Committed
9.2 Global Alliances for Accelerating the Quantum Leap: Cities as Beacons of Change
9.3 Together for the Global Green, Smart, Fair and Inclusive Transition
References
Selected Websites
Annex: Towards an Ideopolis Network and Global Community of Best Practice
A Planet of Cities at a Time Unlike Any Other: Towards the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda
Global Mayors COVID-19 Recovery Task Force, by C40, 2020 www.C40.org
The Good Life Goals (UNEP and Futerra) www.oneplanetnetwork.org/sustainable-lifestyles-and-education/good-life-goals
Urban Ecology and Humanism: Pathways to Renaissance
BreathLife Challenge Campaign and World’s Foremost Air Quality Databank www.breathelife2030.org
Climate-Conscious Cities: The Critical Decade to 2030
One Planet City Challenge by WWF www.wwf.panda.org/projects/one_planet_cities
Oceanix City www.oceanixcity.com
The Energy Paths to Decarbonisation
Solar Impulse Foundation and Alliance www.solarimpulse.com
WBCSD 2020 Enabling Data-Sharing: Emerging Principles for Transforming Urban Mobility www.wbcsd.org
Regenerative Wellbeing Economies for Sustainable Cities
Doughnut Economics Action Lab www.doughnuteconomics.org
A New Social Contract for Healthy, Safe and Happy Cities for All
22 for 2022: Inclusive Covid-19 Response in at Least 22 Cities by the End of 2022 https://www.mayorsmigrationcouncil.org
Making Every School a Health Promoting School www.who.int › activities › making-every-school-a health promoting school
Cities as Living Labs of Knowledge, Co-creation and Innovation
European Capital of Innovation www.ec.europa.eu
European Capital of Innovation 2020: Leuven
And the Runners-up 2020
Accountable, Interconnected Cities and Citizen Engagement
WBCSD Sustainable Cities Engagement Model, 2017 www.wbcsd.org/Programs/Cities-and-Mobility/Sustainable-Cities/Resources/Sustainable-Cities-Engagement-Model
Cities and Citizens in Concert for the Global Sustainability Bond
The Global Green New Deal by C40 www.c40.org/global-green-new-deal
Principles of the Global Green New Deal
Race to Zero: 1000 Cities Racing to Zero Emissions www.climatechampions.unfccc.int/1000-cities-racing-to-zero-emissions
About the Writer
Index
