Crisis in the Horn of Africa: Politics, Piracy and the Threat of Terror

Cities are amongst our greatest creations. Yet at the start of the twenty-first century there is increasing concern over their unchecked expansion and the detrimental effect this is having on the planet, as induced climate change and ever increasing demands upon the world's resources take effect. How can we make the world's cities more sustainable? Ian Douglas tells the story of cities - why they exist, how they have evolved, the problems they have encountered and those they will face as our century progresses. Global in geographical coverage, and ranging from the cities of the classical world to the megacities of today, it is the first comprehensive environmental history of cities. Suitable as a textbook for undergraduate and master's course in environmental management, environmental science, planning, urban geography, planning. Cities are amongst our greatest creations. Yet, with cities now home to over half the world's population, there is increasing concern over their unchecked expansion and the detrimental effect this is having on the planet. This unfettered growth is affecting every ecosystem on Earth, from the deepest oceans to the highest mountains, as induced climate change and ever increasing demands upon the world's resources take effect. As the pace of urbanisation quickens, how can we make the world's cities more sustainable? Ian Douglas tells the story of cities. He shows why they exist, how they have evolved and the problems they have encountered, revealing how from the very beginning environmental management played a key role in urban life. He addresses specific problems, such as noise and air pollution, water supply and waste management, as well as the vulnerability of cities to hazards such as earthquakes and flooding. And he considers strategies to make cities more sustainable and help them adapt to climate change, such as waste recycling, energy conservation, dual water systems, sustainable housing, as well as initiatives to retrofit existing cities.Written by an acknowledged international authority, this unique volume will be welcomed by students and specialists in environment, planning, geography, ecology and the built environment. There Is Increasing Concern Over The Unchecked Growth Of The Worlds Cities And The Detrimental Effect This Is Having On The Worlds Ecosystems. This Unfettered Growth Is Affecting Every Ecosystem On Earth, From The Deepest Oceans To The Highest Mountains, Through Both Climate Change And The Lack Of Food And Other Resources. Trading Village To Global Megalopolis : The Origins And Expansion Of Cities -- Communities Responding To Disasters And Threats : Vulnerable And Resilient Cities -- Foods, Goods, Materials And Ornaments : The Metabolism Of Cities -- Smoke, Fumes, Dust And Smog : Changing The Atmosphere Of Cities -- Water From The Hills, The Ground, The Sea, And The Roof : Towards Integrated Water Resource Management In Cities -- Sanitation, Sewage And Mountains Of Trash : Wastewater And Garbage In Cities -- Urban Sounds And Smells : The Noisy, Aromatic City -- Cities And A Dynamic Earth : Urban Changes To The Land Surface And Responses To Geophysical Hazards -- Urban Greenspaces : The Tamed And Wild Nature In Cities -- Urban Sustainability : Cities For Future Generations. Ian Douglas. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 323-353) And Index. This book explores why cities exist, how they have evolved and the problems they have encountered, revealing how from the very beginning environmental management played a key role in urban life. Here, an acknowledged international authority addresses specific problems and explores sustainable solutions.