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On Urban Sustainability: Urbanization and Climate Change Collision

Author

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  • Abdulaziz I. Almulhim
  • Patrick Brandful Cobbinah

Abstract

While the disruption caused by urbanization and climate change continues to intensify, urban sustainability offers hope and optimism for the future. This paper analyzes how urbanization and climate change collide to unsettle urban sustainability, and further examines sustainable initiatives developed and implemented to manage the impacts. It is based on an extensive literature review involving 22 case studies worldwide, and a critical analysis of urban sustainability to establish efforts toward addressing climate change and urbanization. We found that urban sustainability is fully enmeshed at the confluence of the colliding forces of urbanization and climate change, and an improved understanding of this enmeshment is urgently required. Despite the threat of colliding forces, cities globally tend to focus on urban sustainability initiatives at different levels, scales, and times. However, in order to minimize the challenges of urbanization and climate change, prioritizing openness, cooperation, investigation, creativity, and diversity in urban sustainability initiatives across cities is imperative.

Suggested Citation

  • Abdulaziz I. Almulhim & Patrick Brandful Cobbinah, 2026. "On Urban Sustainability: Urbanization and Climate Change Collision," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 34(S2), pages 979-995, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:sustdv:v:34:y:2026:i:s2:p:979-995
    DOI: 10.1002/sd.70382
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    References listed on IDEAS

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