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 detriment,
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 and waste, 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 cities
and their 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