Creating Sustainable Cities

Cities are our future.

By the year 2050,

more than 70% of
the world's population will live in one.

But how will our world cope under
the strain of 3 billion more city duelers.

Together, cities already consume 80%
of material and energy resources,

and produce 75% of all carbon emissions.

Their high concentration
of people and infrastructure

make them vulnerable
to the impacts of climate change,

like raising sea levels,
higher temperatures, and storm damage.

And in the developing world,

many cities are growing faster

than the infrastructure
that is needed to support them.

Sustainability is the key

and cities are striving for it.

When cities are sustainable,

they are more competitive,

more attractive to people and investments,

more able to lift
their citizens out of poverty

and provide them with
a great place to live, work and play.

All over the world,

cities rich and vibrant
in their own cultures

are shaping their own ambitious plans

for their sustainable futures

but sharing common aims:

to take real action on climate change,

to encourage economic development

to the benefit, not the determent
of the environment,

to become more resilient to disasters

and the changing climate,

to improve the quality
of life and well-being of citizens

fostering supportive
and inclusive communities

in which everyone can thrive,

and to take advantage
of smart technologies

to improve
the efficiency of infrastructure

and provide citizens with better,

more responsive services.

But how?

Even the most advanced cities

can't make this journey alone.

And that's where business can help.

All over the world,

behind the drive towards
a sustainable urban future

are businesses dedicated to finding
and implementing the best solutions.

They're leading the way,

when it comes to creating

integrated systems of urban infrastructure

where buildings, energy, mobility,
water runways and communications

operate more efficiently and sustainably

for the benefit of everyone.

But, too often,

their expertise is introduced

too late in the planning life cycle
to be of full benefit.

And there could be barriers
which stop valuable dialogue taking place.

That's why the world business council
for sustainable development

established
the urban infrastructure initiative

or UII.

An innovative model
for early collaboration

between cities and business.

It's a simple idea,

in ten cities around the world

experts from 14 leading companies

and municipal governments

gathered around one table,

working together

they identify new approaches

to realizing the city's visions

of a sustainable future.

Innovative practical solutions emerged,

producing real benefits for
the city's inner sustainability programs.

Could this new approach
work for your town too?

We think so.

Everyone wins.

Cities by identifying solutions

that can make
their sustainability aspirations a reality

and business

by unlocking markets
for new services and products

essential in creating
the sustainable cities of the future.

To find out more go to:

wbcsd.org/urban-infrastructure.aspx