👆 This is the fifth article out of a series of articles about #SmartCities. Interested? Try out now👇 with #INFORMEDtrial. The next article coming up on Friday next week.
6/6
...This article discusses the global availability of #freshwater, the role that #SmartCities can play in this, and the side effects of these smart measures regarding to water availability, and the social and natural environment." 👇
Read more on #FPMblog 👉 https://freepeoplemedia.com
5/6
...pharmaceuticals, hormones, industrial chemicals, detergents, cyanotoxins, per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and nanomaterials. The overall impact is still unclear due to missing data. The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 aims to ensure the availability of water and sustainable water management and sanitation for the entire global population. However, none of the 6 #SDG targets are on track...👇
#SmartCites #urbanisation #freshwater
4/6
...domestic use has increased sixfold. Industrialization increases #urbanisation, which leads to a higher demand for freshwater and sanitation systems. Drinking water is overextracted, and water infrastructure is either lacking or insufficient. While water quality in lower-income countries is under pressure due to poor ambient water quality, in higher-income countries this is caused by agricultural runoff. Other concerns for drinking water quality are...👇
3/6
...They consume eighty percent of their annual renewable freshwater supply. Roughly seventy percent of global freshwater extraction is for agricultural purposes, about twenty percent for industrial use, and twelve percent for domestic use. Half of groundwater extraction is for domestic use, and twenty-five percent for irrigation. While irrigation and industrial water use have increased two- and threefold respectively since 1960,...👇
#SmartCities #urbanisation #freshwater
2/6
"Can #SmartCities deliver on their promise to be more sustainable, resilient and equitable than other cities?
Part III: Is the world running out of #freshwater and can smart cities be part of the solution?
Since the 1980s, global demand for freshwater has been increasing by approximately one percent per year. About half of the world's population experiences severe water scarcity. A quarter of the world's population faces extremely high levels of water stress...👇
1/6
The Guardian | ‘The water is no longer our friend’: how dredging is pushing Lagos Lagoon towards ecosystem collapse – photo essay by Valentine Benjamin in Lagos
Taking sand from the Nigerian city’s lagoon to supply a building boom harms more than fish – it affects the entire food chain, erodes coastlines and is depriving fishing communities of their livelihoods
Before dawn, when the noise of Lagos’s danfo buses fills the air and generators rumble to life, the city’s lagoon is already stirring. Not from fish splashing or canoes gliding, but from the long suction pipes of the dredging machines, pulling up the lagoon bed and spitting out wet sand that will be used in the construction of high-rise blocks, housing estates and flyovers.
Sand dredging is regulated by the Lagos state government and the waterways authority but in a city of more than 20 million people, where sharp sand has never been in higher demand, not all dredging is being done by the book.
Continue reading...
#conservation #urbanisation #lagoslagoon #fishingcommunities
Taking sand from the Nigerian city’s lagoon to supply a building boom harms more than fish – it affects the entire food chain, erodes coastlines and is depriving fishing communities of their livelihoods
Taking sand from the Nigerian city’s lagoon to supply a building boom harms more than fish – it affects the entire food chain, erodes coastlines and is depriving fishing communities of their livelihoods
What Is Urbanisation? Causes, Impacts, and Solutions
Urbanisation is one of the most powerful forces shaping the 21st century. The way we live, work, and engage with the environment is changing quickly as cities grow and people move from rural to urban locations. This article explains what urbanisation is, why it occurs, and how it impacts people and the environment, with an emphasis on sustainable solutions for expanding cities.
In this ArticleWhat Is Urbanisation?
Urbanisation describes the increasing share of a country’s population living in urban areas. Although it is mostly caused by individuals moving from rural to urban areas, it also represents more general social and economic shifts. Higher population density, developed infrastructure, and focused economic activity are characteristics of urban regions.
Differentiating between urbanisation and urban growth is crucial. Urban growth is the actual extension of cities, whereas urbanisation is the percentage of people that live in cities. While a nation may go through one without the other, both phases frequently take place at the same time.
What Causes Urbanisation?
Urbanisation is caused by a combination of political, social, environmental, and economic factors.
One of the most powerful motivators is economic opportunity. Cities frequently provide more economic stability, higher incomes, and a wider variety of work alternatives. Urban areas attract workers looking for better livelihoods as industry and service sectors increase.
Social considerations are also very important. In urban locations, access to modern infrastructure, healthcare, education, and cultural amenities might be significantly better. The prospect of higher living standards is a strong motivator for many families to move.
Moreover, environmental pressures can push people away from rural areas. For instance, land degradation, declining agricultural productivity, droughts, and floods can make living in rural areas extremely difficult. In some regions, climate change is accelerating this shift.
Political and historical factors also shapes urbanisation. This is because government policies may encourage industrial development in cities, while conflict or insecurity can force people to migrate in search of safety.
Global Patterns and Trends
Globally, urbanisation is happening at varying rates. High-income nations typically have long-urbanised populations, well-established infrastructure, and slower, more stable urban growth. On the other hand, fast and frequently uncontrolled urban expansion is occurring in low- and middle-income countries.
One of the most notable global trends is the growth of megacities, or urban regions with more than 10 million inhabitants. Asia and Africa, where urban populations are expected to treble by 2050, are home to several of these megacities. Peri-urban areas are emerging as new development frontiers, and informal settlements are growing as housing supply cannot keep up with demand.
According to UN forecasts, more than two‑thirds of the world’s population will live in urban areas by mid‑century. This shift will reshape economies, ecosystems, and social structures on a global scale.
How Urbanisation Affects People and the Planet
Depending on how cities are designed and run, urbanisation can have both advantages and disadvantages, such as:
Economic growth in cities is one of the benefits of urbanisation. They create settings where businesses and sectors thrive by concentrating talent, innovation, and investment. Dense urban life can lower per-capita energy and land use, and urban dwellers frequently have better access to public services, healthcare, and education.
However, unplanned or rapid urbanisation can lead to serious issues. Cities can be challenging places to live due to overcrowding, a lack of housing, and growing living expenses. Transportation networks and water supplies are examples of infrastructure systems that could find it difficult to meet demand.
As trash production, air pollution, and the loss of green space become more noticeable, environmental pressures increase. The urban heat island effect, in which constructed surroundings retain heat and boost local temperatures, is another issue that many cities face.
Moreover, when growth surpasses governance, social inequality may worsen. Without proper access to electricity, clean water, or safe housing, informal settlements may grow, putting vulnerable groups at risk for health and safety hazards.
Urbanisation and the Sustainability Challenge
Sustainability and urbanisation are closely related. Despite using a large portion of the world’s energy and resources, cities present some of the most promising avenues for addressing climate change.
The goal of sustainable urban development is to enhance quality of life while minimising negative effects on the environment. Parks, wetlands, and green roofs are examples of green infrastructure that helps control air pollution, heat, and flooding. By restoring ecosystems inside urban environments, nature-based solutions increase cities’ resilience to climate threats.
Another crucial element is transportation. Reducing emissions and improving air quality can be achieved by switching from car-dependent systems to walkable areas, public transport, and cycling. Energy-efficient buildings and digital mobility systems are examples of smart city technologies that provide innovative approaches to resource management.
Managing Urbanisation for a Better Future
Long-term planning and inclusive decision-making are necessary for effective urban management. While efforts for affordable housing make sure that growth does not exacerbate inequality, zoning laws aid in directing development and safeguarding natural areas. Integrated public transport systems promote low-carbon transportation and ease traffic.
Community participation is crucial. Cities become more responsive, equitable, and resilient when citizens participate in the development of their communities. By facilitating data-driven planning and enhancing service delivery, digital innovation can help with this.
Although urbanisation is unavoidable, its effects are not. Instead of becoming causes of environmental stress, cities may become engines of sustainability with the correct tactics.
Conclusion
The world is changing really quickly due to urbanisation. It offers chances for economic expansion, cross-cultural interaction, and higher living standards, but it also poses social and environmental problems that call for careful responses. We can create cities that benefit both people and the environment by comprehending the factors driving urbanisation and making investments in sustainable planning.
Whether future cities are resilient, inclusive, and sustainable or overburdened by the demands of rapid growth, will depend on the decisions taken now.
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#Biodiversity #ClimateChange #environment #EnvironmentalImpacts #UrbanGrowth #Urbanisation
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