Managing urban environmental problems

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.

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.

1. 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.

1. Managing the environment
2. Instigating community resources management
3. Facilitating urban regeneration
4. Creating sustainable cities

1. Using integrated approaches to environmental infrastructure in informal settlements
2. Reporting on urban environments
3. Reducing urban air pollution
4. Managing urban wastes

1. Training urban staff on environmentally sound management of urban development
2. Supporting public participation in urban environment improvement programmes
3. Renewing urban environment
4. Planning cities

1. Integrating biodiversity concerns with urban economic development

1. Urban slums
2. Environmental degradation of inner city areas

1. Problem

1. The WWW Virtual Library: Urban Environmental Management