Book review: Climate Change and Urban Environment Sustainability

Bhawana Pathak and Rama Shanker Dubey (eds), Climate Change and Urban Environment Sustainability, Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore, 2023; 329 pp.: ISBN: 978-981-19-7617-9, £179.99 (hbk)

The rapid pace of urbanisation and the escalating threat of climate change are the two primary challenges facing society. With urban area expansion and population growth, cities have become critical arenas where the impacts of climate change are keenly felt. Global warming, such as rising temperatures and erratic weather patterns, significantly affects urban centers. The increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, such as storms and heavy rainfall, also contribute to flooding and infrastructure damage. Cities near coastlines and low-lying areas are particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels and storm-induced flooding. To address these challenges, strategic approaches such as developing green infrastructure, improving energy efficiency, promoting sustainable transportation and implementing supportive policies are required. McPhearson et al. (2016) explain that developing and maintaining green infrastructure such as urban parks, green open spaces and green corridors can help absorb carbon, reduce the urban heat island effect and enhance air quality.

Climate Change and Urban Environmental Sustainability, edited by Bhawana Pathak and Rama Shanker Dubey, features contributions from approximately 49 experts. It discusses various aspects of urban sustainability, ranging from planning, design, water and waste management and air quality to governance and public health. The book consists of 18 chapters that provide comprehensive insights into the intersection of urban environmental sustainability and climate change, accompanied by case studies and successful initiatives worldwide. This structured approach enables readers to thoroughly understand the complexities of urban sustainability and its interconnections across various sectors.

Sustainable Urban Planning and Infrastructure is explored in Chapters 1–5, focusing on the significant challenges that cities face owing to climate change, including the increased frequency of extreme weather events, rising sea levels and the urban heat island effect. Emphasising sustainable urban planning and robust infrastructure development as key, the discussion includes various strategies and policies for enhancing urban sustainability and resilience. This encompasses green building practices, efficient public transportation systems and the integration of renewable energy sources. Case studies of prosperous cities have provided concrete examples and guidance for others to improve their sustainability and resilience in the face of climate change. The management of urban sustainability, including energy, waste and infrastructure, is highlighted in other chapters, emphasising government and community involvement in preserving environmental integrity. Integrating climate adaptation and mitigation strategies into urban transportation planning is also crucial for achieving sustainable urban mobility amid urbanisation and increasing transportation needs. Furthermore, the role of accurate climatological data in developing green urban infrastructure is discussed in detail, advocating for a multidisciplinary approach involving urban planners, climate experts and policymakers to address climate impacts and enhance urban environmental quality. A comprehensive methodology for sustainable urban planning that integrates environmental, economic and social elements through technologies such as GIS and predictive modelling underscores the importance of stakeholder engagement and a robust policy framework for successful implementation.

The next chapter, ‘Exploring Sustainable Food Systems for Urban Sustainability’, delves into the concept of sustainable food systems that are crucial in urban areas. Deeksha Dave emphasises that food policies should integrate human health, environmental quality and sustainability. He also underscores that food plays a pivotal role in understanding sustainable development. Challenges such as unhealthy food consumption and poor dietary practices hinder physical and mental growth, particularly among urban children. The solutions include increasing awareness, educational platforms, lifestyle changes and effective government policies and their implementation. The author argues that effective management of the food system is essential for achieving urban sustainability, boosting income levels and enhancing food accessibility and affordability.

In the context of urbanisation, Chapter 7 delves into the ecological significance of seagrasses in the Indian Ocean, emphasising their role in preserving marine biodiversity, sequestering carbon and supporting local fisheries. This discussion also highlights how urban development and climate change adversely affect seagrass ecosystems, leading to their degradation through pollution, coastal development and other human activities. Consequently, the authors advocate sustainable urban planning with robust conservation strategies to safeguard vital ecosystems from further deterioration.

Infrastructure and sustainable urban management are explored in Chapters 8–10. The authors introduce the Water Quality Index (WQI), emphasising its role in monitoring and managing urban water quality, which is crucial for sustainable development by impacting public health, ecosystems and overall quality of life. Chapter 9 addresses the intricate relationship between rapid urbanisation and climate change, highlighting how urban expansion exacerbates climate impact through infrastructure development and population growth, necessitating resilient urban planning that integrates climate adaptation and environmental protection. In Chapter 10, Arun Arya focuses on innovative technologies and lifestyle changes essential for sustainable urban environments, promoting solutions such as renewable energy, intelligent networks and eco-friendly practices such as public transportation and green buildings to reduce the urban ecological footprint. Policy frameworks and public awareness are pivotal for advancing sustainable urban strategies, drawing from successful global case studies.

The discussion related to spatial analysis and local impacts of climate change spans two chapters, starting with satellite remote sensing in Chapter 11 to analyse rainfall patterns across India. This emphasises the critical role of accurate data in understanding climate variability and effectively managing urban environments and advocates for advanced technological integration to enhance resilience and sustainability. Chapter 12 focuses on the ecological impacts of shifting treelines due to temperature increases and altered precipitation patterns. These changes affect species composition, habitat and socio-economic activities, which depend on forest ecosystems. This chapter calls for advanced remote sensing to monitor treeline dynamics and community-based conservation efforts to mitigate local impacts, stressing an integrated approach amid climate change challenges.

In addressing the complexities of optimising logistics networks for efficient humanitarian aid delivery post-climate disasters, Chapter 13 introduces the Imperialist Competitive Algorithm (ICA) as a powerful tool. This method enhances resource allocation and minimises emergency response times, emphasising the importance of advanced algorithms and technologies to bolster the efficiency and responsiveness of humanitarian logistics. These improvements are crucial for mitigating the impact of climate change on vulnerable populations. The next chapter explores how climate change-induced temperature increases affect the health, productivity and overall well-being of workers, particularly in informal work settings. This underscores the need for adaptive strategies and policies to mitigate these effects and effectively enhance workers’ resilience to heat stress.

The discussion spans across the themes of coastal and marine ecosystem resilience in the face of climate change and urbanisation. The first section focuses on seagrasses, highlighting their crucial roles in biodiversity preservation and carbon sequestration amidst challenges such as pollution and climate impacts. The need for integrated management strategies and community involvement is emphasised to protect these essential habitats. Moving forward, the attention shifts to mangroves, which are pivotal for coastal protection but are vulnerable to threats such as rising sea-levels, increased salinity and urban development pressures. Conservation initiatives, sustainable land-use practices and supportive policies are advocated to ensure the sustainability of mangrove ecosystems. The discussion concludes by exploring the intricate connections between urban expansion, habitat fragmentation and an increase in zoonotic diseases. The call for sustainable urban planning and conservation measures to mitigate disease risks and uphold biodiversity conservation efforts emerges.

The final chapter underscores the importance of empowering communities through educational, resource and participatory approaches to enhance their resilience to climate-related risks. Risk assessment tools and strategies enable communities to understand their vulnerabilities and develop proactive measures to mitigate their potential impacts. This advocates integrating traditional knowledge with modern risk assessment techniques to formulate robust adaptation plans. Building resilient communities shields them from climate impact and fosters sustainable development.

The book addresses the highly relevant issue of climate change and urban environmental sustainability, which is a crucial topic given the increasing urbanisation and growing impact of climate change. Using an interdisciplinary approach that combines environmental science, urban planning and public policy, this book provides a comprehensive understanding of various case studies from cities worldwide. However, there are limitations in covering different regional and cultural contexts, especially in developing countries, and the language used is too technical for non-specialist readers. Recommendations for improvement include providing a glossary of technical terms, using simpler language and adding more case studies from diverse regions, thus making the book a valuable resource for readers interested in climate change and urban environmental sustainability.

Acknowledgments

We thank Lembaga Pengelola Dana Pendidikan (LPDP RI) for funding our master’s studies at IPB University.

Reference

McPhearson T, Picket STA, Grimm NB, et al. (2016) Advancing urban ecology toward a science of cities. BioScience 66(3): 198–212. Crossref; Google Scholar