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SUSTAINABLE URBAN
DEVELOPMENT
It is impossible not to notice how important cities are as economic centres and the revenues they generate for national
economies. Unfortunately, apart from the positive attributes of cities, dynamic urbanisation also causes threats, such as
the growing number of slums, water pollution, air pollution from factories, traffic, houses or increased production of
waste. To understand the scale of the problem, a few facts from the United Nations can be cited, namely:
• Cities cover 3% of the earth's surface and generate 60-80% of energy consumption and are responsible for 75% of
greenhouse gas emissions;
• More than 800 million people already live in slums;
• By 2050, 70% of the population will live in cities
Source: United Nations. (N/D). Goal 11: Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. Retrieved from: https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/cities/
