Built Environments of the Future

Abstract

Sustainability refers to the concept of improving the quality of human life while living within the carrying capacity of supporting ecosystems. Cities like all human activities, exist in the context of energy and resource flows—that is, as parts of larger ecosystems—so the concept of sustainability is highly relevant to cities. This implies future-oriented thinking about cities—designing for many decades to come mindful of emerging challenges Cities of the future will confront challenges related to resource and energy use such as an increasing scarcity of petroleum, land, and water, and the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These challenges will require innovative strategies for urban design and function. Cities will confront demographic trends including continuing urbanization an aging population, an increase in chronic and degenerative diseases, and greater demographic diversity. These trends also have implications for future cities. Concepts such as green cities and sustainable cities have gained currency in recent years, implying important changes in present approaches to the built environment, in areas ranging from transportation to energy and from housing to food, water, and sanitation Green, sustainable cities of the future need also to be healthy cities, incorporating public health principles into planning and implementation can help them reach this goal.