Urban health and well-being challenges

This chapter is a detailed look at urban sustainability from a health and well-being viewpoint, and is thus a complement to Chap. 1, which emphasised the biophysical aspects of urban sustainability. Two globally important health problems are the ageing of the population and the widespread rise in health costs as a share of national income. The health and well-being of urban residents, which goes beyond the mere absence of physical and mental illness, are examined for both OECD and non-OECD countries. The creation of a truly sustainable city in the future not only requires simple increases in energy efficiency. The personal quality of life for urban residents—the creation of livable, stable and vibrant communities—is also important, and will become increasingly so in future. The urban problems of China, home to 20% of the global urban population, are given particular emphasis.