ABSTRACT
Ensuring the future sustainability of life on Earth is becoming much more problematical as threats such as climate change, the loss of biological diversity, water scarcity and food insecurity are growing at unprecedented rates and scale. The convergence of these and other risks are being exacerbated considerably as the global population shifts from largely agrarian to urban societies. Barry Wilson, who heads 'an innovative, international construction design and management consultancy' in Hong Kong, cites the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs 2014 report, 'World urbanization prospects, and summarises the advantages and disadvantages of urbanisation. The benefits, he says, include: expanding 'access to the key services of education and healthcare for large numbers of people in an economically efficient manner' and accessing 'larger and more diversified labour markets'. In particular, he anticipated new lifestyles based on three key areas: future transport and technology needs; minimised environmental, social and cultural impacts; and reduced disaster risk.
