Blog Posts: cities

Historically, cities have upgraded poor neighborhoods by razing and reconstructing them, often displacing residents. But to actually improve affordable housing and give residents access to services and opportunities, cities need a different approach.

We move from one place to another. From one point within a city to another. From one city to another. From one country to another. Such movement is difficult to avoid, but did you know that such travel has massive environmental impact?

Building a new capital on Borneo may not improve conditions within Jakarta, and will require large infrastructure improvements in the new location. Looking at the variety of data on Resource Watch and Global Forest Watch, we’ve compiled five maps that show issues to consider before moving the capital.

Relocating the capital city could put immense pressure on new areas and might not remedy the flooding and gridlock affecting Jakarta.

New WRI research shows that cities in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia are expanding outward rather than vertically. As these places grow in population, continuing their unwieldy expansion outward could push them into economic, environmental and social crises.

A clear message from cities emerges from the IPCC 1.5 report: Cities must live and build differently to mitigate and adapt to climate change. A manifesto from WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities lead Ani Dasgupta.

Most people don’t associate cities with trees, but urban areas are actually dependent on healthy forests. A new initiative helps cities protect trees—both those within city boundaries and others hundreds or even thousands of miles away.

As a multisport event involving over 9,000 athletes from 45 nations in Asia, the Asian Games holds promise to raise awareness and influence public opinion over certain issues, including sustainability.

WRI President and CEO Andrew Steer is interviewed by the World Green Building Council about the ways that green buildings can help the world meet climate targets and promote low-carbon development.

Mobility is increasing both in Jakarta and the suburbs, and this results in severe congestion in Greater Jakarta, which costs Rp100 trillion in 2017. One of the government’s solutions to address the congestion issue is by establishing Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT). Unfortunately, MRT/LRT alone won’t be enough to overcome congestion in Jakarta. Complementary policies to address the issues of limited network, land use sprawl and costly infrastructure are required.