Some typical statistics we hear: “In 2007, the world’s urban population surpassed 50% for the first time in history, and this proportion is growing; by 2050, it’s estimated to exceed 70%.” Currently, more than 90% of Americans live in urban areas, and more than 80% of Canadians live in urban areas. Urbanization is an important reality in our daily experience, and has enormous import on how we use energy and natural resources. We encounter the term “Sustainable Development” and question whether development is sustainable, and what the limits of growth might be. It is important take a look towards where we came from, and how we got here- in order to gain some understanding of where we are headed.
Advancing Sustainability in the Built Environment 