ABSTRACT
The modern city is an example of the PEOPLE/ environment relationship. The building of cities involves the creation of people-produced environments. Cities are attempts to escape from the tyranny of nature. Two aspects of energy use are important. First, in the long term the use of energy has been growing. The increase reflects continued economic growth and rising real incomes. In the medium to long term the changing energy situation may affect the form of cities. Cities, especially those of the core, with their sprawling suburbs tied together with highways along which gas-guzzling cars move, are really cities of the cheap energy era. Energy considerations will also be important in shaping the future growth of urban systems. Cities in energy-rich regions will be more attractive for firms than cities in energy-deficient regions. The supply of fresh water is being further reduced by pollution.
