Over the past decades, the world has under gone a significant degree of urbanisation, as more and more people are living in cities across the globe. According to figures published by the United Nations, 52.1 % of the world's population resided in urban areas in 2011, up from only 29.4% back in 1950. This figure is expected to increase even further, the likelihood being that some 67 % of the global population will be city dwellers by 2050.
Along with the growth of the urban population, the world is equally witnessing an increasing appearance of so-called "megacities" – urban areas with population counts of over 10 million people. This means that in the decades to come people will not only be more likely to live in cities – they might also be more likely to live in a "megacity".
This trend towards urbanisation varies across countries and regions. In Europe, for instance, some 72.9% of the population lived in urban areas in 2011, with the United Nations forecasts indicating that this number may rise to over 80% by the middle of this century.
Urbanisation entails both a host of opportunities and a great many challenges. On the one hand, cities often hold great potential for growth, jobs and innovation and thus play an important role for their local economies. On the other hand, increased human activity in cities around the world can also give rise to challenges related to pollution, congestion or climate change, all of which can have direct impacts upon the wellbeing of urban dwellers. In light of the above, it seems likely that policy-makers will grant particular attention to urban areas as the hubs of human activity when making decisions about a wide range of issues, including environmental protection and transport management.
In the European Union, the key role that cities will play in future policy making has long been recognised. And whilst the Union itself does not decide over urban matters in particular, many of its policies do have an impact upon the development of urban areas and the lives of city dwellers.
In recognition of this fact, the European Commission launched the so-called "Thematic Strategy on the Urban Environment" in 2006, which aims to contribute towards a high quality of life for those living in urban areas and likewise make Europe's cities an attractive location for businesses and investors. The Commission intends to achieve this objective by ensuring that the Union's environmental legislation is better applied at local levels. It hence aims to promote networking and best-practice exchange between local authorities, in order to ensure that high-performing cities can lead by example and share their solutions. In addition to promoting best practice exchange, the strategy also includes training opportunities for local authorities with regard to the environmental management of their cities.
Cities have equally been identified as important players in the fight against climate change, given that they consume vast amounts of energy and account for a large volume of CO2 emissions. The European Union has set itself the goal of reducing its CO2 emissions by 20% by 2020 and urban areas will hence play a vital role in achieving this aim. In February 2009, the so-called “Covenant of Mayors” was launched, which unites cities in the common goal to become more sustainable and to meet and exceed the climate targets of the European Union. This movement involves cities of various sizes that sign up to the commitments on a voluntary basis. Each signatory city will then aim to meet the CO2 reduction targets by improving its energy efficiency and its use of renewable resources.
Thus far, the Covenant boasts more then 4000 signatories, which also include many Maltese cities. Upon signing up to the movement, the cities are required to draw up an inventory of their emissions and to equally submit action plans that include a set of measures through which they intend to achieve their objectives. Cities will also have to produce interim reports mapping out the progress they have made in implementing the respective measures.
As more and more people flock to the cities, more and more attention is equally directed to urban areas when it comes future policy-making. As the showplaces of human activity, cities have a vital role to play in the effective implementation of various policies. And effective implementation, in turn, will have positive impacts on the wellbeing of urban residents. By recognising the growing importance of cities and addressing it with relevant initiatives, the European Union will hopefully be able to shape a future in which cities act as a lever for effective policy-making and likewise enable their residents to enjoy a healthy and balanced lifestyle.
David Casa is a Nationalist MEP