The summer of 2023 was the Earth's hottest since global records began in 1880, according to data from Copernicus and NASA. Across the globe, heatwaves, fires and floods have destroyed lives and livelihoods, as well as putting under tremendous tension nations infrastructures and services.
In this context of global warming, cities are facing dizzying challenges to make the urban environment viable for the billions of inhabitants who will populate them. According to UN DESA projections, 68% of the world’s population will live in urban areas by 2050.
UN Habitat warns that the effect of urbanization and climate change are converging dangerously. Global warming will most likely reach 1.5 degrees C between 2023 and 2052, and approximately 3 degrees C by 2100. This will have disastrous impacts on cities.
Human shadows under burning light.
