Tropentag, September 17 - 19, 2013 in Stuttgart-Hohenheim "Agricultural development within the rural-urban continuum"

URBAN NEXUS – An Approach for Sustainable Development and Example for Urban-Rural-Linkages

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Germany

Abstract

Urbanisation is one of the defining characteristics of the 21^st century. Over 90% of the anticipated global urban growth is taking place in metropolitan regions of developing countries. Urban agglomerations therefore represent important living environments of the future and are central to the aims of poverty reduction, economic growth, sustainable use of common resources and provision of services and food. Within urban agglomerations urban-rural-linkages are becoming increasingly relevant. A truly integrated approach to development must go beyond intra-city policy coordination and traditional rural services. The integration with surrounding areas, both urban and rural, needs also to be considered. The benefits of stronger urban-rural cooperation include more efficient land use planning, better provision of services (e.g. basic services, public transport, health) and better management of natural resources.
Maintenance of the “status quo” and “business as usual” approaches to resource extraction and consumption will undoubtedly lead us down to path of exceeding planetary boundaries , particularly with regards to urban water, energy and food consumption. The severity of the environmental, social and political implications of these resources cannot be overstated. In response to this threat, URBAN NEXUS presents a new approach to understanding the interdependencies of these resources and linking rural and urban areas by overcoming “silo thinking” and supporting mutually beneficial responses and the potential cooperation of different levels of action and policy.

Keywords: Peri-urban agriculture

Contact Address: Carmen Vogt, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Dag-Hammarskjöld-Weg 1-5, 65760 Eschborn, Germany, e-mail: carmen.vogtgiz.de