Half of the world’s population now resides in cities, a number expected to rise to five billion in the next two decades. Many urban areas, particularly in the U.S., suffer from inefficient transportation systems and poorly designed buildings, leading to excessive fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. As carbon-based fuels dwindle, the question arises: are cities doomed to collapse? The authors argue against this fatalism, advocating for intelligent planning and visionary leadership to navigate impending crises. They highlight existing initiatives worldwide, choosing hope over fear. The book outlines the current state of oil use and climate change, presenting four potential outcomes: “collapse,” “ruralized,” “divided,” and “resilient.” In response, they propose a new “sustainable urbanism” to replace the current “carbon-consuming urbanism,” detailing feasible transportation and building innovations. Concluding with ten actionable “strategic steps” for cities to enhance sustainability and resilience, the authors provide practical solutions already in practice. While acknowledging the worsening issues cities face, they emphasize that these challenges are solvable and stress the urgency of taking action now.
Heather Boyer Bücher
