Green Cities ; Urban Development Series

Abstract

Asia's cities have been the drivers of the economy and have lifted millions out of poverty. However, the environmental consequences of this rapid development are apparent, and the citizens of Asia's urban areas are increasingly insistent that something should be done. And there is an investment deficit in Asian cities' infrastructure spending, mostly in environmental infrastructure, of some $100 billion per annum. Asian cities can be more environmentally friendly. The resources are there to achieve this. Up to 80% of gross domestic product today comes from urban areas in Asia, and its megacities are nation-sized in population and economic product. New cities, such as the innovative "eco-towns" in Japan and "eco-cities" in the People's Republic of China (PRC), have begun to put into action a sustainable urban development model.