Human Sustainable Cities: Towards the SDGs and Green, Just, Smart and Inclusive Transitions

Description

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. 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