Urban metabolism

Urban Metabolism is a model that facilitates the analysis of the flow of energy and materials within cities. It provides a holistic view of the environmental impacts of urban development by examining the city as a system and identifying the inputs (resources) and outputs (waste) of the system.

Overview

Urban metabolism is a concept that draws parallels between cities and living organisms, where cities are viewed as living entities that consume resources, produce waste, and have lifecycles. This concept is used to analyze the flow of energy and materials within cities, with the aim of understanding the environmental impacts of urban development and identifying opportunities for sustainable urban planning.

History

The concept of urban metabolism was first introduced by Abel Wolman in 1965. Wolman's study, "The Metabolism of Cities", provided a method to quantify the balance of flows of water and other materials into and out of cities. Since then, the concept has been further developed and applied to the study of urban sustainability.

Methodology

The methodology of urban metabolism involves the quantification of all the flows of energy and materials into, within, and out of a city. These flows are then analyzed to determine the efficiency of the city's use of resources and the environmental impacts of its waste production. The results of this analysis can be used to inform sustainable urban planning and policy.

Applications

Urban metabolism has been applied in various fields, including urban planning, environmental science, and geography. It has been used to analyze the sustainability of cities, to identify opportunities for resource conservation and waste reduction, and to inform the design of sustainable urban infrastructure.

See also

• Sustainable city
• Urban ecology
• Urban planning
• Environmental impact assessment

References

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