5. Sustainable Urban Community Development

Urban communities are of great importance as they have the largest landscape area with the highest population density when compared to rural and other communities. In the year 2000, the total urban population worldwide was 47%, which is approximately 2.8 billion people, and it is projected to increase to 60% by 2025. Urban communities offer more job opportunities as they are home to most industries, businesses, and commercial sites, making them more attractive and seemingly more stable for both individuals and families. Urban communities are also attractive because they are diverse in habits, customs, traditions and religious beliefs as well as social classes. With the high level of urbanization and the desire for a better lifestyle, natural resources are being consumed unsustainably. Many products are problematic in their disposal leading to an increase in environmental hazardous and pollution of air, water, energy, material, land, and soil. Resource depletion is leading to scarcity and society which will not be able to meet its current needs while taking into consideration the needs of future generations. In brief, currently urban communities are causing a threat to the surrounding environment that, if maintained, will lead to instability in the ecosystem and community. That is why a sustainable community is introduced to protect land, water, air, energy, and materials. The objective of this chapter is to propose a zero-waste practical approach for urban communities, hoping to create a common understanding and define a set of actions to protect the environment and ecosystem ensuring that they are pollution-free life and that natural resources are managed to guarantee the needs of future generations.