Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
threats. Certainly their episodic nature means it is difficult to predict many of ex-
treme natural processes and makes them easy to ignore. But the increasing force
and frequency of many of these natural events makes it imperative for us to develop
effective plans to reduce their impact, especially in the burgeoning cities of the less
developed world. But to blame natural processes alone for these and other problems
linked to the environment is now seen as unfair. Our sprawling, larger cities make
bigger targets for extreme natural events and many of our actions within our settle-
ments make them more vulnerable.
In addition, the last two decades has seen a greater awareness of the negative
effects of so many of our activities upon our cities and our planet, as well as rec-
ognizing that we are consuming finite resources at too fast a rate. The continuation
of such trends will mean that the opportunity for subsequent generations to match
our progress may be reduced, which is leading to an increasing understanding of
the value of introducing more effective sustainable policies and to recognize the
importance of green spaces for a healthier life. In addition we are adding far too
much toxic waste to our environment and are almost certainly contributing to global
warming through our increasing production of greenhouse gases. This is likely to
produce a series of more drastic climatic events that will have a series of negative
consequences of unknown magnitude upon our rapidly growing and larger settle-
ments (TE 2014a , b ). Yet it would be inappropriate to assume that all these climate
variations are of the same magnitude with a single result, for the vulnerabilities
of people, societies and economies vary between regions and places, an issue dis-
cussed in Chap. 5 (IPCC 2014 ).
Another set of problems associated with current urban trends comes from the way
that the changes seem to be negatively affecting the diversity and vitality of urban
places and the opportunities they provide in so many aspects of life. The distinctive
characteristics of many urban places that developed over centuries—as seen by their
urban morphologies, economies and social patterns and sustainability—are under
threat. The modernisation of the world based on the diffusion of western values,
life-styles and technologies, and the minimization of the differences produced by
local environmental character, is producing a creeping urban homogeneity in places
throughout the world. This is especially true in suburban or exurban areas where
the low density sprawl and over-dependence on the car reduces personal interac-
tion, increases traffic congestion and creates heath risks and environmental damage
through pollution. In social terms the new communication technologies have added
to a faster pace of life, with less time for leisure and contemplation, while more
rapid social and economic changes have added to the pressure and problems of life
in cities. In some urban areas these problems have been intensified by a rising tide of
family breakdowns, anti-social behaviour and crime, and the difficulties of absorb-
ing unskilled immigrants from many varied cultural backgrounds. The result has
been an increase in the numbers of the disadvantaged in urban places.
In economic terms a de-industrialization has occurred in parts of western coun-
tries due to a globalization of manufacturing, which has created additional problems
for many western cities. This change occurred because corporations found cheaper
places to produce or assemble goods, which was made possible by the quicker and
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