Global Sustainable Cities - by Danielle Spiegel-Feld & Katrina Miriam Wyman & John J Coughlin

About the Book

"This book provides a critical look at the measures that leading cities in the global north and south are taking to meet the sustainability challenges of the 21st century. Bringing together local experts from around the world, the volume surveys these cities' efforts to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gases, secure fresh drinking water supplies, and adapt to climate change"--

Book Synopsis

Perspectives from worldwide experts on how major cities across the globe are responding to the major environmental threats of our time, including global climate change

Over half of the world's population now lives in cities, and this share is expected to increase in the coming decades. With growing urbanization, cities and their residents face substantial environmental challenges such as higher temperatures, droughts, wildfires, and increased flooding. In response to these pressing challenges, some cities have begun to develop local environmental regulations that supplement national and environmental laws. In so doing, cities have stepped into a role that has been historically dominated by higher levels of government.

Global Sustainable Cities takes stock of the policies that have been implemented by cities around the world in recent years in several key areas: water, air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and climate adaptation. It examines the advantages--and potential drawbacks--of allowing cities to assume a significant role in environmental regulation, given the legal and political constraints in which cities operate.

The contributors present a series of case studies of the actions that seven leading cities--Abu Dhabi, Beijing, Berlin, Delhi, London, New York, and Shanghai--are taking to improve their environments and adapt to climate change. The first volume of its kind, Global Sustainable Cities is a critical comparative assessment of the actions that major cities in the global North and South are taking to advance sustainability.

Review Quotes

"Global Sustainable Cities features a phenomenal lineup of contributors whose topics, narrative arc, and implications create a readable, highly compelling volume. Taken altogether, the revealing case studies highlighted in these essays convincingly make the case for the centrality of cities to environmental law."-- "Nestor Davidson, Faculty Director, Urban Law Center, Fordham University"

"An important volume that fills a gap in the literature on cities and climate change. While many have argued that cities are and should be significant actors in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and averting the worst impacts of climate disasters, this book illustrates how different kinds of cities are doing so. The book is also important for its comparative examination of cities' environmental and climate actions across geographic regions and political systems. Any future assessment of cities' roles in maintaining environmental quality and addressing climate change should begin with this impressive volume."-- "Sheila R. Foster, Georgetown University, author of Co-Cities: Innovative Transitions toward Just and Self-Sustaining Communities"

"An impressive volume whose international focus allows for cutting-edge comparative assessment in regards to the role of cities in addressing today's environmental challenges. Global Sustainable Cities will contribute significantly to the literature on the role of major cities as they work to advance sustainability through innovative transportation, infrastructure, and energy initiatives."-- "Vanessa Casado Pérez, Texas A&M University"

"This broad and highly readable comparative collection provides a valuable tool for scholars working with eager students and environmental activists who raise crucial urban ecological issues without always understanding the complex, interlocking legal and governance issues involved in the meaningful implementation of change... its systematic analysis should be an engaging foundation for understanding what has been accomplished, what can be done in the future, and how action can be effectively channeled toward these vital urban issues."-- "CHOICE"

"This important, timely and interesting book explores the current landscape of environmental leadership - examining both their strengths and weaknesses. It provides ample support for the important idea that it is in cities that we can act rapidly to address climate change and its consequences - because we must."-- "David Miller, former Mayor of Toronto and author of Solved: How the Great Cities of the World Are Fixing the Climate Crisis"

About the Author

Danielle Spiegel-Feld (Editor)
Danielle Spiegel-Feld is Executive Director of the Guarini Center on Environmental, Energy & Land Use Law at NYU School of Law.

Katrina Miriam Wyman (Editor)
Katrina Miriam Wyman is the Sarah Herring Sorin Professor of Law in the School of Law at New York University.

John J. Coughlin (Editor)
John J. Coughlin is Global Distinguished Professor of Religious Studies and Law and NYU, Abu Dhabi and Affiliated Faculty at NYU Law School and author of Canon Law: A Comparative Study With Anglo-American Legal Theory and Law, Person and Community, Theological, Philosophical, and Comparative Perspectives on Canon Law.