The poisoned chalice: Urban warfare in the twenty-first century and beyond

Abstract

This chapter examines the complexity, challenges, threats, and opportunities of operating in the future urban environment in the twenty-first century and beyond, a far different urban environment to the twentieth century. It identifies some of the key issues involved, including population migration from rural to urban areas, climate change, the sheer size and character of future cities (with many being 10 million plus), technology, the impact of cyberspace, and the urban littoral. Specifically, it considers how we should attempt to understand the complex eco-systems of cities and larger urban conurbations and how to frame the problem in order that military forces can find the most appropriate way to operate. It considers seven major themes: understanding, freedom of manoeuvre, access, denial, control, depth (particularly mass), and technology.