E X E C U T I V E S U M M A R Y Are we building competitive and liveable cities? Guidelines for developing eco-efficient and socially inclusive infrastructure The guidelines for the development of eco-effi cient and inclusive urban infrastructure have been developed by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia Are we building competitive and liveable cities? and the Pacifi c (ESCAP), the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America Guidelines for developing eco-effi cient and socially inclusive infrastructure and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and the United Nations Human Settlement Programme (UN-HABITAT), in partnership with the Urban Design Lab (UDL), the Earth Institute, at Columbia University in the City of New York, in the context of the project “Eco- effi cient and Sustainable Urban Infrastructure in Asia and Latin America”. The objective of the project is to promote the application of eco-effi ciency as a key Increase your city’s competitiveness and quality of life through criterion for economic competitive, socially inclusive and environmentally sustainable environmental improvements: urban development and for expanding fi nancing opportunities. Responding to the challenges posed by rapid urbanization, Activities included expert group meetings, case studies, pilot projects and training of globalization and climate change requires an urgent shift in the urban managers and planners. way urban infrastructure is planned, designed and managed: it The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication must be eco-effi cient and socially inclusive. do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or Eco-effi cient and socially inclusive infrastructure can: area, or its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. • be a driver of economic growth and competitiveness The content and views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and • increase employment opportunities not necessarily refl ect the views or policies, or carry the endorsement of any of the • contribute to poverty alleviation co-publishing organizations. Reference to a commercial entity or product in this • improve quality of life publication does not imply endorsement. • enhance energy security • improve the environment The co-publishing organizations do not guarantee the accuracy of the data included • avoid future costs and risks. in this publication and accept no responsibility for any consequence of their use. Reproduction and dissemination of material in this publication for educational or non- Do more with less commercial purposes are encouraged, with proper acknowledgement of the source. Eco-effi ciency is a management philosophy that encourages municipalities, Reproduction of material in this, or associated information products for sale or for businesses and communities to seek environmental improvements that other commercial purposes, including publicity and advertising is prohibited without generate parallel economic and social benefi ts. Doing this in an inclusive the written permission of the copyright holders. Applications for such permission, with a statement of purpose and extent of reproduction, should be addressed to the way guarantees equal opportunities for all people. Director, Environment and Development Division, United Nations, ESCAP. Deliver services to all United Nations publication Applied to infrastructure, the concepts of eco-effi ciency and inclusiveness ST/ESCAP/ – ISBN 978-974-680-292-5 are concerned with expanding the access to and quality of services, such as Copyright © United Nations 2011 housing, transport, energy, water and waste treatment, while reducing costs Clung Wicha Press Co., Ltd. Thailand and environmental problems, such as pollution, ineffi cient energy use and traffi c congestion. Core team: ESCAP: Rae Kwon Chung, Masakazu Ichimura, Lorenzo Santucci, Joris Oele Achieve win-win situations ECLAC: Joseluis Samaniego, Ricardo Jordan, Beatriz Valenzuela Infrastructure systems need to be rethought and redeveloped according to UN-Habitat: Raf Tuts, Bernhard Barth eco-effi ciency and inclusive principles and criteria. Essential strategies for UDL, The Earth Institute, Columbia University: Richard Plunz, Morana M. Stipisic cities to achieve win-win situations and develop into attractive, competitive and liveable places are leadership, long-term vision, integration across This publication was printed with vegetable oil based ink on green series paper sectors and institutions, public participation and building the business case made from 100% EcoFiber, utilizing Ecological type which uses 50% less ink. for eco-effi cient solutions. page 1 Forewords Dr. Noeleen Heyzer Under-Secretary-General of the United Nati ons and Executi ve Secretary of the United Nati ons Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacifi c (UN-ESCAP) “Cities in Asia-Pacifi c already suffer from severe environmental problems, while the basic needs of millions of citizens are yet to be met. The rapid urbanization of the region poses an even greater challenge for providing services to all. We need to urgently promote eco-effi ciency and social inclusiveness to make our cities competitive, vibrant and liveable.” Alicia Bárcena Under-Secretary-General of the United Nati ons and Executi ve Secretary of the United Nati ons Economic Commission for Lati n America and the Caribbean (UN-ECLAC) “Urban regions consume 75% of the planet’s resources. In Latin America and the Caribbean today, the challenges of development and equality are linked to those of urban management, including infrastructure, housing, transportation, and access to water and sanitation. The adoption of eco-effi ciency as a core urban value will require a thoroughgoing change in the way cities function and develop. Making eco-effi ciency a main criterion for decision-making on these issues represents a step towards the development of sustainable cities.” Dr. Joan Clos Under-Secretary-General of the United Nati ons and Executi ve Director of the United Nati ons Human Sett lements Programme (UN-HABITAT) “A new strategy based on more effective urban planning, strengthened local institutions and governance processes as well as the enhanced economic contribution of cities is needed. Only Infrastructure that is energy and eco-effi cient, that serves the economic development of cities and supports the betterment of all citizens can be sustainable.“ page 2 Executive summary Developing eco-efficient and socially inclusive infrastructure page 3 Why focus on cities? CITIES OF HOPE, Why do we need eco-effi cient and socially inclusive CITIES OF urban infrastructure development? DESPAIR 80% of people in Latin America live in cities Urbanization: towards a global city In Latin America 80% of people live in urban areas. This figure will rural 20%20% urban grow to 85% by 1 8080%% 2030. In 2030, about 2.6 billion people will live in cities in Asia Adding a new city nearly the size of Singapore and the Pacific.2 every month for the next 20 years This growth is equivalent to adding an entire new city of 3.5 million people, every month for the next 20 years. 20 x 12 x 3.5 million Social issues: urbanization of poverty 30% of citizens in Asia live in slums Approximately 30% of urban residents in Asia 70% and the Pacific live in slums,3 without basic services. The number of people living in urban 30% slums in India4 now exceeds the entire 45 million people in Brazil live in slums population of the Philippines.5 In Brazil 45 million people live in urban 6 45 million slums. This is almost 3 times the entire population of Chile.7 page 4 Executive summary Developing eco-efficient and socially inclusive infrastructure page 5 ECOLOGICAL Why focus on cities? Why focus on cities? CITY FOOTPRINT ECONOMIES Environment: Cities use 75% of the Earths resources Asia needs US$10 trillion over 10 years for infrastructure Finance: need for enormous footprint investment Cities occupy 3% Infrastructure of the Earth’s investment in Asia land surface, and the Pacific house half of the must reach an estimated US$10 human population, 75%75% use 75% of the trillion over resources,8 and the next 10 years account for to keep up with approximately 2/3 its consumption of all used energy and construct- 12 and greenhouse gas ion needs. emissions.9 This enormous investment requirement is comparable with two times the whole Latin America and the The Ecological Caribbean region’s Footprint yearly GDP.13 measures how much We need more than one planet Earth 80% of Asia’s GDP is produced by the cities of the Earth Infrastructure or how many investment planet Earths it requirements in would take to Latin America and regenerate the the Caribbean are resources we use are an estimated and to absorb the ? US$1.3 trillion waste we produce. to keep up with In 1990, our consumption and humanity started LAC needs 3% of annual GDP for infrastructure construction demanding more needs.14 than one planet Earth to support Economic issues: our current engines of growth lifestyle.10 In Asia and the Pacific over 80% of the region’s GDP is produced in ci-ties and towns.15 Bangkok Carrying capacity alone accounts is defined as the for 38% of maximum population Thailand’s GDP.16 that can survive indefinitely in a The GDP of Buenos given environment. Aires outsizes It depends on some of the the available region’s national resources and GDPs like those the consumption of Ecuador and habits.11 GDP of Buenos Aires is larger than GDP of Paraguay Paraguay.17 page 6 Executive summary Developing eco-efficient and socially inclusive infrastructure page 7 SHAPING Why focus on infrastructure? Why focus on infrastructure? CHOOSING OUR Are traffi c congestion and high energy costs eating up OUR CITIES your competitiveness? Cities are at a crossroad FUTURE Infrastructure has key implications for urban development. It is diffi cult Choices made today will determine the competitiveness, quality of life and costly to modify.