An urban biosphere reserve is an attempt to apply the biosphere reserve concept to urban areas by the MAB Programme of UNESCO. Through urban planning and ecosystem management, an urban biosphere reserve is expected to support sustainable development and conservation. Brighton and Hove is bidding to become the world's first urban biosphere reserve.[1][2]
The need for urban biosphere reserves has arisen as the number of people living in the world's cities has reached three billion, nearly half of the total population.[3] By 2050 two-thirds of the total population will be living in the cities.[4] The rapid expansion of the cities and of their populations pose a challenge for a viable global environment. Although some of the existing biosphere reserves include cities and towns, entirely urban-oriented biosphere reserves have yet to be included in the list.[5]
- ^ Jones, Alanna (October 20, 2008). "Brighton & Hove – first 'Urban Biosphere City'?". thebadgeronline.co.uk. The Badger. Archived from the original on September 24, 2009. Retrieved June 24, 2009.
- ^ "Brighton 'to be world's first city biosphere reserve'". The Guardian. Guardian News and Media Limited. 6 October 2008. Retrieved 2009-06-24.
- ^ "World Cities join to protect their biological and cultural diversity". unesco.org. UNESCO. 23 October 2003. Retrieved 2009-06-24.
- ^ Gunatilleke, Dr. Nimal (4 October 2007). "City of Kandy and its hinterlands as an urban biosphere reserve". Daily news. The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd. Retrieved 2009-06-24.
- ^ "Urban Biosphere Reserves in the context of the Statutory Framework and the Seville Strategy for the World Network of Biosphere Reserves" (PDF). UNESCO. June 2003. Retrieved 2009-06-24.