2. 6-5 What Are the Major Urban Resource
Environmental Problems?
 Learning Goal:
 Most cities are unsustainable because of high levels of
resource use, waste, pollution, and poverty.

3. Urban Living
 What percent of people in US live in cities?
 79% of Americans live in cities
 What percent of people in US live in cities?
 50% of world population lives in cities
 Why????
 Come to cities for jobs, food, housing, education, better
health care, entertainment

4. Disadvantages of Urbanization
 Unsustainable systems (2% land – 75 % resources)
 Lack of vegetation
 Water problems
 Pollution and health problems
 Noise pollution

5. Fig. 6-13, p. 110
Stepped Art
1973 2003

6. Fig. 6-14, p. 110
Economic Effects
Urban Sprawl
Natural Capital Degradation
Loss of cropland
Loss of forests and
grasslands
Loss of wetlands
Loss and
fragmentation of
wildlife habitats
Land and
Biodiversity
Increased use of surface
water and groundwater
Increased runoff and
flooding
Increased surface water
and groundwater
pollution
Decreased natural
sewage treatment
Water
Increased energy use
and waste
Increased air pollution
Increased greenhouse
gas emissions
Can enhance climate
change
Energy, Air,
and Climate
Decline of
downtown business
districts
Increased
unemployment in
central city
Loss of tax base in
central city

7. Mexico City
 Large population - 20 million
 Severe noise, water, and air pollution
 50% unemployment
 100,000 premature deaths per year

8. Mexico City
 3 million without sewer
 Fecal snow
 Geography contributes
to air pollution
 Progress – tree planting
and lower air pollution