Environmental Sustainability and Services in Developing Global City Regions

Abstract

Globalization brings unparalleled challenges and opportunities for global city-regions, both in terms of wealth creation and environmental sustainability. The purpose of this paper is (1) to analyze the environmental challenges of global city-regions, especially in developing countries, where they are more severe; (2) to examine the implications of globalization for these challenges; and (3) to explore public policy options, private sector involvement and innovative, flexible instruments for addressing these challenges. Based on this analysis, the author proposes a new paradigm for the environmental management of global city-regions, driven by the private sector and civil society, with government playing a regulatory and facilitating role.