Urban metabolism
Urban Metabolism
Urban Metabolism (pronunciation: /ˈɜːrbən mɪˈtæbəlɪzəm/) is a model that facilitates the analysis of the flow of energy and materials within cities. The concept has its roots in industrial ecology and systems ecology.
Etymology
The term "Urban Metabolism" is a metaphor used to express the flow of materials and energy within a city. It was first used in the 1960s by Abel Wolman, a pioneer in the field of sanitary engineering. The term "metabolism" is derived from the Greek word "metabole" which means change, and it is used in biology to describe the process of maintaining life in an organism.
Definition
Urban Metabolism is a model in urban planning and sustainability studies that analyzes the flow of energy and materials within cities. It considers cities as living organisms that consume resources, produce waste, and constantly change with time. The model helps in understanding the environmental impact of urban development and in designing more sustainable cities.
Related Terms
- Urban Ecology: The study of ecosystems that include humans living in cities and urbanizing landscapes. It is closely related to urban metabolism as it also studies the flow of energy and materials in urban areas.
- Sustainability: The ability to maintain or improve standards of living without damaging or depleting natural resources for present and future generations. Urban metabolism is a tool used to measure the sustainability of a city.
- Industrial Ecology: The study of material and energy flows through industrial systems. Urban metabolism is a part of industrial ecology as it studies these flows within cities.
- Systems Ecology: An interdisciplinary field that focuses on the interaction of ecological systems. Urban metabolism uses the principles of systems ecology to analyze the flow of energy and materials in cities.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Urban metabolism
- Wikipedia's article - Urban metabolism
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