Managing urban environmental problems

Description

Managing a host of urban issues including: urban air pollution; protecting people from hazardous wastes; disposal of municipal, industrial, solid and liquid waste; conserving common resources; water supply; sanitation; and matters relating to the link between health, poverty and the environment.

Context

The world's major cities are getting bigger; by 2005 half of humanity will live in cities and urban agglomerations. This demographic shift will place an intolerable burden on urban environments and civic facilities. Increasingly, city residents will live in filthy environment that will threaten their health and stunt economic progress. The urban poor will continue to be the hardest hit by this urbanization boom.

Claim

There is no simple way to merge "green" and "brown" agenda issues. Cities are the engines of economic growth and their problems required greater government decentralization and citizens' participation to stimulate local communities toward finding solutions based on their own potential. Progress can be achieved only by linking urban environmental initiatives to national policy frameworks and action plans. In essence, local problems need to be included in national debates, but emphasis must remain on local capacities, initiatives and resources.