Global Urbanisation and Climate Change

Urbanization is a global phenomenon. The proportion of the world’s population living in urban areas was only 30% in 1950 but reached 55% in 2018, and is projected to be 68% by 2050. These dramatic shifts have substantial impacts on people, the environment, and development, across local, regional and global scales. 

Urban areas occupy only 2.8% of the earth’s surface yet as of 2008 more than 50% of the world’s population inhabits urban areas. Our understanding of climate change impacts and vulnerability in urban centres has grown rapidly in recent years, as has the number of cities developing and implementing plans to respond to the challenges of climate change.

This urban growth dynamic is not homogeneous, and urban expansion patterns differ markedly across developing countries. By 2050, the number of urban dwellers will increase by 2.5 billion, with nearly 90% of this growth happening in Asia and Africa. 

Urbanization and Climate Change Challenges

Climate change is now recognized as one of the most pressing global issues of our planet. It is no coincidence that global climate change has become a leading international development issue at the same time as the world has become urbanized. The way to plan, manage, operate and consume energy in the cities will have a critical role in the quest to reverse climate change and its impact.

Mainstreaming climate resilience into urban development is essential because climate risks may only be one of the several factors defining poverty levels, well-being, economic growth and development in an urban environment. Increasing urbanization will be one of the defining features of the 21st century. This produces particular environmental challenges, but also creates opportunities for urban development that can contribute to broader goals of improving the quality of life for urban residents while achieving greater levels of global sustainability.

Half of the world’s population already lives in urban areas, with a growing number of these people living in towns and cities in low and middle-income countries. As well as being a demographic phenomenon, urbanization is intricately linked with economic, social and environmental transitions. Nations with the most rapid and sustained economic growth have urbanized most. 

Recognizing the increasing role of cities, this builds on the 2007 report ‘Liveable Cities: the benefits of urban environmental planning’ to explore how a variety of issues have been taken into account in different urban areas, and how a range of activities have been implemented that show the potential for integrating the environment in urban planning and management.

Since the launch of the ‘Liveable Cities report’ in 2007, cities have become increasingly prominent in terms of addressing global environmental issues. Much of this has been around climate change, with the expansion of initiatives such as the ‘C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group’, the launch of the Carbon Cities Climate Registry in 2010, and the initiation of the Durban Adaptation Charter in 2011.

Africa is experiencing rapid population growth, especially in the East and West. According to the OECD, approximately, 4500 new cities emerged in Africa between 1990 and 2015. Urban populations grew by approximately 500 million people between 1990 and 2020.

The Availability of Major Urban Forms 

The major urban forms were detected for African cities in 2015: first, the transitional urban form, characterized by built-up sprawling urbanization and a decrease in open space, as seen in Accra, Addis Ababa, Bamako, Cairo, Gombe, Ibadan, Khartoum, Kigali, Luanda, Marrakesh, and Port Elizabeth. 

The second type of urban form is the compact-grey form. This kind of city has become even more compact and simple in shape, and includes cities such as Alexandria, Kairouan, Oyo and Tebessa. 

The third type is the ragged-small form, which is less irregular and complex in shape, with examples including Arusha, Beira, Nakuru, and Ndola. Cities under these different urban forms are projected to experience various changes as they expand further, offering the opportunity for more sustainable planning, but also presenting a challenge. 

Over 59% of the urban population in sub-Saharan Africa is estimated to be living in informal settlements. It is crucial to investigate urbanization and climate change together in rapidly changing regions such as East Africa and West Africa.

Solutions to Address Climate Change Challenges

There is a priority tools identified by the Global Land Tool Network (GLTN) that are needed at country and city level to address climate change challenges. Climate change phenomenon is making the issue of sustainable urbanization a matter of urgency. The GLTN together with other programmes focus on issues related to cities and urban areas. 

Global Land Tool Network (GLTN) has identified key priority and promising land tools:

Law, regulations and law enforcement mechanisms are not enough in most countries. More important is consolidated and coordinated action for ensuring quality and standard of urban environmental services. A strong urban environment monitoring agency is essential. An independent, powerful and capable urban environment protection force can be established.

Rural development and urban development are closely linked through migration, flow of resources, economic empowerment, commodities, and services. The problem can only be tackled at a broader scale, requiring both rural and urban development.

Particularly vulnerable areas with large poor populations that are unable to protect themselves against sea level rise and storm floods need international and national support. Since the cause of the problem is also global, it is necessary to develop an international system for funding of such large-scale operations. 

This is an area where UN agencies could play an important role. Support will also be needed for building professional capacity to tackle such large resettlement schemes. Organizing a network of professional staff from threatened countries and cities is an important first step.

Conclusion

Climate change and rapid urbanization are combining to quickly change urban environments in Africa, with implications for the long-term sustainability of cities, and the health of the residents. Despite this, there are still substantial evidence and research gaps.