Category: Urbanization

Roads: An Essential Element of Development

map of Kenya showing roads

Roads data is critical to planning and development of rural transportation in developing countries, where better transportation systems can help improve livelihoods.

A Sustainable Strategy to Deal with Urban Poverty

by | 5.3.2013 at 5:10pm
Photo credit: Fernando Arias

When architect Fernando Arias first arrived in Kumasi, Ghana last year, he saw unpaved roads, trash burning, garbage everywhere, and shoeless children running all around. He knew he needed to act on their behalf.

Certificate Student Builds Green Roofs

by | 4.15.2013 at 3:41pm
Eric

Eric Dalski, a student in the Earth Institute Executive Education Certificate Program in Conservation and Environmental Sustainability is building vegetative layers grown on a rooftop. Learn more about his perspectives on the Certificate Program.

Discussing Climate, Cities and Food

by | 3.6.2013 at 1:14pm
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Last week, the Earth Institute and the International Research Institute for Climate and Society hosted a discussion on cities, food and climate. What were people saying? Find out in this Storify recap of reactions from across Twitter!

A Road Map Toward Better Understanding of Global Environmental Change

Map of "Social Process," showing key systems and interactions among systems that were seen as underpinning the human “drivers” of global environmental change.

The Social Process Diagram published in 1992 was an attempt to map out the key systems and interactions among systems that were seen as underpinning the human drivers of global environmental change.

Upcoming Scientific Fieldwork: A Guide

by | 2.27.2013 at 10:37am
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Earth Institute research expeditions investigating the dynamics of the planet on all levels take place on every continent and every ocean. Most projects originate with our main research center, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, and are often run in collaboration with other institutions.

Extraordinary Support for Sustainable Development

by | 2.18.2013 at 3:03pm
2012 Donor Report

Visit the interactive digital Earth Institute 2012 Annual Donor Report to see some of the remarkable projects, initiatives and achievements that have been made possible through the support and advocacy of donors, students, faculty and staff in fiscal year 2012.

Aquanauts Take on New York Water Issues

by | 1.2.2013 at 3:55pm
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Working with engineering PhD candidate Rob Elliott, we imagined a green roof and blue roof system that would serve as a space for environmental education and student wellness, the culmination of a semester spent examining and taking action on stormwater management issues in New York City.

Smaller Colorado River Projected for Coming Decades, Study Says

by | 12.23.2012 at 2:28pm
The Colorado River irrigates crops throughout the U.S. Southwest.

Some 40 million people depend on the Colorado River Basin for water but warmer weather from rising greenhouse gas levels and a growing population may signal water shortages ahead.

Using Spatial Analysis to Help Manage Conflict

by | 12.18.2012 at 3:44pm
This map shows the identified areas of potential conflict. It shows that the risk is located mainly in the east-southern part of the peri-urban area of Meknes, where agricultural activities are widespread and where agro-pedoclimatic conditions are especially favorable for agricultural production. But in the last few years, this has been also one of the areas of development in terms of urbanization and industrialization.

Peri-urban areas are particularly vulnerable to land use conflicts due to their geographic and socio-economic characteristics: They are transitional zones in transforming societies, where various economic activities associated with each urban setting try to co-exist. In this context, peri-urban agriculture plays a key role for the multiplicity and diversity of stakeholders providing environmental and economic services to urban cities.