Suchergebnisse

The city is the home of prosperity. It is the place where human beings find satisfaction of basic needs and access to essential public goods. The city is also where ambitions, aspirations and other material and immaterial aspects of life are realized, providing contentment and happiness. It is a locus at which the prospects of prosperity and individual and collective well-being can be increased. What this new edition of State of the world's cities shows is that prosperity for all has been compromised by a narrow focus on economic growth. UN-Habitat suggests a fresh approach to prosperity beyond the solely economic emphasis, including other vital dimensions such as quality of life, adequate infrastructures, equity and environmental sustainability. The Report proposes a new tool - the City Prosperity Index - together with a conceptual matrix, the Wheel of Prosperity, both of which are meant to assist decision makers to design clear policy interventions. The Report advocates for the need of cities to enhance the public realm, expand public goods and consolidate rights to the 'commons' for all as a way to expand prosperity. This comes in response to the observed trend of enclosing or restricting these goods and commons in enclaves of prosperity, or depleting them through unsustainable use. - Publisher.

1. Eco-cities : re-examining concepts and approaches / Hidefumi Imura -- 2. Let's get real : critical visions and sustainable eco-urbanism / William S. W. Lim -- 3. Some thoughts on the development of eco-cities in Asia / Lye Liang Fook and Chen Gang -- 4. Building ecotopia : critical reflections on eco-city development in China / Pow Choon-Piew and Harvey Neo -- 5. Moving toward eco-friendly city : perspective on Thailand / Rujiroj Anambutr -- 6. Challenges to implementing the eco-city concept in Indonesia's major cities / Suraya A. Afiff -- 7. Eco-city : China's realities and challenges in urban planning and design / Wang Tao and Shao Lei -- 8. Sustainable living : an overview from the Malaysian perspective / Hardev Kaur and Mizan Hitam -- 9. Prospects on ecological development in Philippine cities / Marife M. Ballesteros.

In discussions on the future of the world's cities, urban agriculture (UA) has garnered attention for its potential to contribute to the food supply, to income for urban producers, and to the multiple benefits of 'green cities'. The research project UFISAMO analysed potentials and challenges of UA in Cape Town and Maputo. The role of UA for income generation and food & nutrition security depends strongly on the historical, political, economic and social context. Urban agriculture in Maputo is the main source of income for approx. 5% of the population, even if it does not even provide sufficient income to cover the monthly food basket for most producers. The cultivation of horticultural products furthermore contributes to a more balanced diet, mainly for the producing families themselves. Associations and extension officers provide a solid frame for UA in the city. Main challenges in Maputo are the uncontrolled application of pesticides as a consequence of mono-cropping patterns without adequate rotation. Supporting services should promote sustainable practices along GAP or organic practices. That requires the establishment of a market for such products. UA practised in the townships of Cape Town on small plots with sandy soils – and under regular water stress - plays a negligible role when it comes to income and food & nutrition security. This is partly due to weak market links within the townships and the difficult marketing routes to the city centre, which are usually organised by NGOs or 'social businesses'. However, UA does provide income for some, and is a good platform for farmers' self-organisation beyond township barriers. It can thus contribute to overcoming historical cleavages, and to real empowerment in communities struck by high unemployment and social tension. Supporting farmers business skills so that they can establish market links in their communities and encouraging their self-organisation are crucial measures to take by supporting bodies.