Urban areas and climate change
Cities are centers of ideas, trade, culture, science, production, social progress. They enable people to progress socially and economically. Today, more than half of humanity lives in cities, and it is expected that by 2030, almost 60 percent of the world's population will live in urban areas. Rapid urbanization is putting pressure on freshwater supplies, sanitation, the environment and public health. Although cities occupy only 3% of the earth's surface, they account for about 70% of energy consumption and 75% of carbon emissions. In addition, cities face such problems as traffic congestion, lack of funds for basic services, housing shortages, and unsupported infrastructure. Mental disorders are more common in urban than in rural areas, due in large part to stress, increased noise levels and limited physical activity.
The impact of climate change is particularly important for infrastructure and buildings, given their long life and high initial cost, as well as their key role in the functioning of modern societies and economies. Buildings and infrastructure can be vulnerable to climate change due to their construction (low storm resistance) or location (eg in areas at risk of floods, landslides, avalanches). They can be damaged or unusable as a result of changing climatic conditions or the increasing frequency of extreme weather events such as: rising sea levels, torrential rains and floods, extremely low or high temperatures, heavy snowfall, strong winds and more. The effects of climate change on buildings and infrastructure will vary from region to region.
Challenges can be overcome in ways that allow cities to thrive and grow, while improving resource use, reducing poverty, and limiting the generation of waste and air pollutants, including greenhouse gases.
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