Urban Systems and Global Change

Malvani, M.P. (1995). Urban Systems and Global Change. IIASA Working Paper. IIASA, Laxenburg, Austria: WP-95-128

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Abstract

An outline of the condition of urban systems on a global perspective and under diverse points of view is presented here. Some major theories on urban future are also considered, together with the situation of the current debate on sustainable city development. Quality of life in cities and the idea of a more compact and energy-efficient future pattern of urbanization are among other important issues. The metaphor of Urban Metabolism can be used effectively to aid scientific understanding by calling attention to a number of special conditions which are proper to living organisms, and the idea of the Fractal City, based on a concept of self-similarity in the urban structure, is introduced. The recent development of information technologies requires a re-organization of the city functions which should be made possible with new town planning rules. It appears necessary to guide in this way the process of urban change in ways to minimize the effects of congestion which determines the condition of non-governability common to most urban systems today. There is a set of possible measures which could be recommended for action to be taken. Some perspectives for future research in the form of a more applied phase (concrete case studies) and of a more detailed and scientifical research work dealing with some specific aspects of the subject matter considered are drawn in conclusion.

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