Bringing together an interdisciplinary team of scholars, this book illustrates how and why cities are comprised by a mosaic of vulnerable human and ecological communities. Case studies ranging across various international settings reveal how 'urban vulnerabilities' is an effective metaphor and analytic lens for advancing political ecological theories on the relationships between cities, nature and development. Contributions expand upon conceptions of vulnerability as a static condition and instead present vulnerability as a phenomenon that is produced through complex and contentious planning histories, and which may, in turn, be politicized, exploited and-in some instances-contested. Expanding upon snapshot vulnerability assessments, this volume articulates vulnerability as a process that is marked by the accumulation of risk over time and the transference of risk across space and populations. Moving beyond notions of vulnerability as a singular, case studies demonstrate that social and ecological vulnerabilities are deeply integrated and, as such, are irreducible to one or the other. This volume also highlights how the production of vulnerabilities is frequently achieved through integrated and mutually reinforcing economic development and environmentally driven agendas. This collection thus suggests that vulnerability-and also forms of resilience-are implicated in efforts to plan for and manage sustainable cities. This book provides timely and provocative perspectives on a wide range of urban issues including: park management, gentrification, suburban expansion, sustainability planning, local organic food systems, hazards management, climate change activism and north-south flows of urban environmental externalities. Collectively, these works reveal the complexities of urban vulnerabilities-related to scalar interactions, accumulation and transfer of risk, politicization and governance, and capacity for resistance-and in doing so, provide readers with coherent, robust and well-theorized analysis of the politics and production of urban vulnerabilities.

The handbook seeks to illuminate the key concepts in the study of development-environment through showcasing some of the Majoritarian (formerly "Developing") world’s scholars in order to explore theoretical connections through critical/radical theory, “small” theory, various conceptual frameworks, and non-Western and subaltern viewpoints. The volume examines the themes around the study of the relationship between economic and social development and the environment. Part 1 covers theoretical and conceptual approaches to the study of development and environment by examining the diverse ways in which people perceive, understand, and act upon the world around them. Cross-scalar topics such as neo-liberalism and globalization, human rights, climate change, sustainability, and technology are covered in Part 2. The book shifts to examinations of resources and production in Part 3, where authors with a focus on one or more environmental resources or types of economic production are presented. Topics range from water, agriculture, and food, to energy, bioeconomy, and mining. The fourth section presents chapters where people are at the center of the development-environment nexus through topics such as gender relations, children, health, and cities. Finally, policy and governance of development and environment are explored in Part 5. The section includes both academics and practitioners who have worked with policy makers and are policy makers themselves. The book is primarily intended for scholars and graduate students in geography, environmental studies, and development studies for whom it will provide an invaluable and up-to-date guide to current thinking across the range of disciplines, which converge in the study of development and environment.

Selected, peer reviewed papers from the 4th International Conference on Civil Engineering, Architechture and Building Materials (CEABM 2014), May 24-25, 2014, Haikou, China

Communication across and integration of disciplines in the urban-water sector seems today more imperative than ever before. Water is a strategic and shrinking resource. It is probably the world's most valuable resource and clean water has even been touted as the 'next oil'. Control of water - from access to management - has always been a

Bringing together classic readings from a wide variety of sources, this key book investigates how our cities and towns can become more sustainable. Thirty-eight selections span issues such as land use planning, urban design, transportation, ecological restoration, economic development, resource use and equity planning. Section introductions outline the major themes, whilst the editors' introductions to the individual writings explain their interest and significance to wider debates. Additional sections present twenty-four case studies of real-world sustainable urban planning examples, sustainability planning exercises, and further reading. Providing background in theory, practical application, and vision, in a clear, accessible format, The Sustainable Urban Development Reader is an essential resource for students, professionals, and indeed anyone interested in the future of urban environments.

Building on the success of its second edition, the third edition of the Sustainable Urban Development Reader provides a generous selection of classic and contemporary readings giving a broad introduction to this topic. It begins by tracing the roots of the sustainable development concept in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, before presenting readings on a number of dimensions of the sustainability concept. Topics covered include land use and urban design, transportation, ecological planning and restoration, energy and materials use, economic development, social and environmental justice, and green architecture and building. All sections have a concise editorial introduction that places the selection in context and suggests further reading. Additional sections cover tools for sustainable development, international sustainable development, visions of sustainable community and case studies from around the world. The book also includes educational exercises for individuals, university classes, or community groups, and an extensive list of recommended readings. The anthology remains unique in presenting a broad array of classic and contemporary readings in this field, each with a concise introduction placing it within the context of this evolving discourse. The Sustainable Urban Development Reader presents an authoritative overview of the field using original sources in a highly readable format for university classes in urban studies, environmental studies, the social sciences, and related fields. It also makes a wide range of sustainable urban planning-related material available to the public in a clear and accessible way, forming an indispensable resource for anyone interested in the future of urban environments.

This edited volume uses an African-centred approach to examine a renewed vision of development education in Africa. The purpose of the volume is to supplant prevailing Western ideologies, traditions, and rhetoric in the development education discourse in Africa and to advocate for alternative paradigms, knowledges, beliefs, and practices through the effort of dialogue between competing orientations, values and experiences. The book argues that Africa's development challenges are uniquely African requiring indigenous African solutions. Consequently, this book offers an insightful collection of case studies and conceptual papers that examine how indigenous African knowledge, philosophies, traditions, beliefs, and values shape the theory and practice of development education in Africa. Reimagining Development Education in Africa exemplifies an interdisciplinary and multifaceted scholarship, addressing topical issues and advances in development education in Africa. The book discusses among other topics, Ubuntu-inspired education for sustainable development, decolonising African development education, Afrocentricity, Globalisation, and gender equality. This book is a must read for scholars and students interested in understanding indigenous educational efforts aimed at promoting sustained improvements in the quality of life of African peoples.

This book is the result of three symposia of the Dutch Society for Landscape Ecology (Werkgemeenschap voor Landschapsecologisch Onderzoek) about • the Dutch National Ecological Network • urban ecology • and civil infrastructure. The three topics - among others - show important contexts in which landscape ecologists do their research and apply their knowledge and skills. The book focuses on urbanisation, intensive land use and water management as characteristic features of the Netherlands and therefore presents an important view on landscape ecology in the Dutch context.