Urban transition strategy
Introduction
The weight of cities is a concept used to refer to the result of quantitative assessments and reflections carried out on the amount of resources consumed by cities. To obtain this result, the resources consumed, sustainable alternatives and more efficient management of resources are taken into account. This concept was reflected in the report developed by experts who have worked on the International Resources Panel of UN Environment.
The strategy, based on efficient urbanization and the management of resources consumed in cities and reflected in the International Resource Panel (IRP), is in line with the objectives of the New Urban Agenda, approved by the United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development in October 2016 in Quito (Ecuador).
The world's population resides primarily in urban areas, where the greatest consumption of resources and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions occur, contributing to climate change. Cities are responsible for approximately 60% of the world's total 'domestic consumption of materials' (DMC)[1].
Cities tend toward high urban growth, so the use of their natural resources must be done more efficiently in relation to transportation, commercial real estate, and heating and cooling of buildings in order to reduce energy consumption, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and water use.
At the Climate Summit (COP26) in Glasgow (United Kingdom), adaptation, mitigation, financing and international cooperation are discussed as the main axis in collaboration to reduce the planet's temperature and its consequences, especially paying attention to the adaptation of the most vulnerable territories to the extreme meteorological phenomena that the most disadvantaged countries are already suffering and that contribute the least to the climate crisis.[2][3].
Concept
Weight of cities is the name of the report prepared by the International Resources Panel, where "the infrastructure, technology, spatial patterns and governance changes necessary to move towards socially inclusive, resource-efficient and sustainable modes of urban development are evaluated."[4].
The objectives are: to achieve an urbanization in which 'no one is left behind', to achieve 'sustainable and inclusive economies' and 'environmental sustainability'. All this together with the achievement of resource efficiency, low greenhouse gas emissions and the construction of resilient homes, infrastructure and basic services.