Geographia Technica, Vol 14, Special Issue 2019, pp. 98-107
URBAN TRANSFORMATIONS TO PURSUE SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH RESOURCE EFFICIENCY, QUALITY OF LIFE AND RESILIENCE: A CONCEPTUAL APPROACH
Sigrun KABISCH (Leipzig, Germany)
ABSTRACT: We consider urban transformations as fundamental changes of human life and actions towards sustainability. They are an up-to-date challenge worldwide as more than 50 % of the population is living in cities and the share and total amount of urban dwellers is further growing. The UN’s sustainable development goals (2015) as well as the “New urban agenda” which was the final declaration of the Habitat III-conference in 2016 provide both a general normative agenda and a commitment of the UN member states to secure resilient livelihoods for all people. To reach resource efficiency, quality of life and resilience as core dimensions of the conceptual approach, appropriate strategies are necessary which deal with the management of scarce resources such as restricted land, drinking water or energy. Furthermore extreme weather events which cause flooding, storms or heat stress impacting living conditions in cities need increased consideration. These challenges require an interdisciplinary research agenda which include the human factor and its behavioral change, awareness raising, knowledge and the willingness to participate.
Keywords: Environmental Resources, Resilience, Sustainability Goals, Stakeholder Participation, Urban Transformations, Quality of Life.
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