A Changing Environment for Human Security

15  Cities, human security and global environmental change

David Simon and Hayley Leck

Introduction

This chapter contributes to nascent efforts to integrate human security perspectives into the hitherto largely neglected urban (as opposed to global, national and rural) dimensions of global environmental change. Key urban challenges for human security in the context of environmental change relate to overall ecological footprints, maintaining institutional and infrastructural integrity, and safeguarding shelter, utilities, economic activities and livelihoods. These take on somewhat different complexions in coastal and inland urban areas. While in wealthier parts of the world, urbanization levels have generally been stable or declining, they are ...