State of the World 2007: Our Urban Future.

STATE OF THE WORLD 2007: Our Urban Future WORLDWATCH INSTITUTE 

Each year, the Washington-based Worldwatch Institute releases a summary of the ecological, economic, and environmental challenges facing the world and describes how local and governmental agencies are addressing the problems. This latest installment focuses on the continued urbanization of various countries. Since 1950, the world's urban population has increased from 732 million to 3.2 billion. By 2008, more than half of all people will live in urban areas. This increase has widespread implications for sanitation, the availability of clean water and fresh food, and the use of electricity. Each chapter of this report is written by an academic or policy expert and addresses the various challenges facing urban communities and gives examples of how some cities are addressing them. Melbourne, Australia, for instance, is reducing carbon emissions by its transit system. Jakarta, Indonesia, is reducing the threat from natural disasters by better managing the flow of area rivers. And Nairobi, Kenya, has developed an effective public health program. Each chapter includes sidebars and tables that present and illustrate copious statistical information. W.W. Norton, 2007, 250 p., b&w images, paperback, $18.95.