Ciudades sobrecargadas: la sobreexplotación de recursos como limitante del desarrollo sustentable

Abstract

The purpose of this article is, in order to promote sustainable development in cities, to provide a foundation from which to understand urban expansion, against a background of overexploitation of resources, and its implications. From this logic, it proposes that the role of cities is crucial for sustainable development. Thus, the article begins with a brief introduction and quantitative description of the contemporary problems and implications of urban expansion in different spheres. The need to rethink growth and urbanization, as well as resource use and waste management, is presented as an inexorable task for the creation of urban spaces that promote cohesion and economic, social and environmental well-being. The manuscript ends by briefly contextualizing the articles in the issue, in relation to the questions that have been leading the analysis of the scarcity and overexploitation of resources and the problem of waste management in cities. Finally, it shows that, beyond urban dystopian realities, cities are fundamental for sustainable development and, therefore, from an anthropological perspective, the contributions favor the discussion and integral understanding of the problems presented by cities.

Keywords

• climate change
• energy
• food
• overpopulation
• urban expansion
• water