The Economy of Green Cities

Green Economy is a key theme of the June 2012 Rio+20 UN Conference on Sustainable Development. The inclusive Green Urban Economy approach embodies a challenge to local government leaders and city practitioners to apply existing tools and methods in new ways to develop innovative approaches by engaging economic-environmental considerations and stakeholders in a much more active fashion. This volume bridges the gap between the global promotion of the Green Economy and the manifestation of this new development strategy at the urban level. Green cities are an imperative solution, not only in meeting global environmental challenges but also in helping to ensure socio-economic prosperity at the local level.  Environmentalists must learn to understand the language and dynamics of the economy, and to combine important economic interests (such as cost savings) with ecological interests (such as saving of resources). Business and economic leaders must also understand and accommodate ecological interests to advance social improvement and sustainable development. The editors compiled contributions of varying perspectives and practical experiences from the emerging fields of environmental economics, urban development and green cities, along with concrete examples from city governments.  The Economy of Green Cities documents and demonstrates the different layers of knowledge required for a Green Urban Economy. The compendium supports researchers, business thinkers and practitioners to explore, detail and discuss an urban Green Economy agenda.