The developing world is urbanizing rapidly. However, this urban growth is leading to increased inequity and vulnerability, particularly for the marginalized poor. Climate change further compounds these problems.
Asia showcases these challenges and highlights warnings to be heeded elsewhere.
Urbanization is causing unprecedented and rapid change of ecological landscapes, social values and economic relations. Cities, in particular smaller cities with populations under 500,000, are frequently expanding into hazardous areas including coasts, deltas, floodplains, and river basins. It is clear that settling people in such places can be lethal and expensive.
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About the author
Jim Jarvie
Jim Jarvie is Mercy Corps’ network director transitioning the Asian Cities Climate Change Resilience Network to a practitioner-based membership platform. He previously led development of Mercy Corps’ global programs in climate change and environment, focusing on Southeast Asia. He is a biologist with 20 years of experience, previously working on natural resource management, conservation and conflict.
