Urbanization in the Pacific: environmental change, vulnerability and human security

The world is in the midst of a substantial urban transition, but the impacts of this on the environment and human societies are not fully understood. Very little attention has been paid to urbanization processes in developing countries with smaller populations, despite the evident problems associate...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental conservation 2000-12, Vol.27 (4), p.392-403
Main Authors: Cocklin, Chris, Keen, Meg
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Applied ecology
Biological and medical sciences
Brackish
Cities
Conservation, protection and management of environment and wildlife
environmental change
Environmental security
Freshwater
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
General aspects
Human security
Land resources
Marine
Population growth
Rapid urbanization
South Pacific islands
Sustainable cities
Sustainable urbanism
Urban populations
Urbanization
vulnerability
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Summary:The world is in the midst of a substantial urban transition, but the impacts of this on the environment and human societies are not fully understood. Very little attention has been paid to urbanization processes in developing countries with smaller populations, despite the evident problems associated with urbanization. There are both biophysical and social vulnerabilities associated with urbanization in the South Pacific and these vulnerabilities affect human security. The biophysical vulnerabilities include the fragile environments of the island nations, limited land resources, shortages of basic resources, and the risks associated with global warming. The ability to respond to these problems is constrained by social vulnerabilities, notably weak economies, difficulties associated with land ownership, and institutional limitations. There is a need for institutional reform, improved planning, better urban resource management, and greater regional cooperation, if Pacific island nations are to respond effectively to rapid urbanization and global change.
ISSN:0376-8929
1469-4387
DOI:10.1017/S0376892900000448