Resilient Cities: Responding to Peak Oil and Climate Change

Island Press (2008)

Wendy Natt, Jan 12, 09.

Half the world’s population is now living in cities that in 20 years’ time are expected to hold approximately 5 billion people, yet “carbon-consuming urbanism” continues to be the status quo in an era of “peak oil” and increasing environmental and economic instability. What kind of future is in store for the world’s cities? Sustainability scholars Peter Newman and Timothy Beatley, with Heather Boyer, explore this question in their new book, Resilient Cities: Responding to Peak Oil and Climate Change.

From the book website:

“The authors of this spirited book don’t believe that oblivion is necessarily the destiny of urban areas. Instead, they believe that intelligent planning and visionary leadership can help cities meet the impending crises, and look to existing initiatives in cities around the world.”

“First, they confront the problems, describing where we stand today in our use of oil and our contribution to climate change. They then present four possible outcomes for cities: ”collapse,” “ruralized,” “divided,” and “resilient.” In response to their scenarios, they articulate how a new “sustainable urbanism” could replace today’s “carbon-consuming urbanism.” They address in detail how new transportation systems and buildings can be feasibly developed to replace our present low efficiency systems. In conclusion, they offer ten “strategic steps” that any city can take toward greater sustainability and resilience.”

Lead author Peter Newman, professor of sustainability at Curtin University in Western Australia, will talk the book Resilient Cities at a Houston Tomorrow Distinguished Speaker talk on January 22, 2009. Copies of Resilient Cities and Green Urbanism Down Under, a book on which Dr. Newman was a contributor, both will be available for purchase, and Dr. Newman will be signing books after the talk. Click here for details about the event and more about Peter Newman’s work.