ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the alternative concept of ecopolis, the idea of regenerative urbanisation. In developing countries ecopolis could be a useful concept for the design and management of newly emerging cities. An important issue in this context is the need for very substantial investments in the infrastructure of cities. Europe and the United States have their fair share of these, particularly in former coal mining and steel producing areas. New cultural, social and environmental initiatives usually originate in major cities, where non-governmental organization (NGOs), and research, information and communication clusters are concentrated. Solar thermal technology has been used for many years in the sunny Mediterranean, and its use is most widespread in both Israel and Palestine, where the costs are fully competitive with fossil fuel energy. Hydropower is listed as a renewable energy source but many reservoirs have limited lifespans because of siltation and flaws in the design of dams.
