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Urbanisation and Urban Land Use: A Normative Compass for Sustainable Urban Governance

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International Yearbook of Soil Law and Policy 2018

Part of the book series: International Yearbook of Soil Law and Policy ((IYSLP,volume 2018))

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Abstract

Urbanisation is a pressing trend in the twenty-first century. People’s lives more and more concentrate in cities: in 2030, approximately 6 out of 10 people will reside in urban areas. Therefore, cities are crucial for the success of the Great Transformation towards sustainability, including the transformation to sustainable land use. Not only does the growth of cities cause soil sealing in urban areas, but also production patterns for urban supply with food and goods influence land use in rural areas. Thus, it is indispensable to direct cities to a pathway of sustainable land use. This chapter contextualises cities and their sustainable development within the frameworks of international and national law and, beyond that, presents instruments of transformative planning. Does international law already reflect the importance of urbanisation for sustainable development? Does it provide orientation for cities towards more sustainability? The German Advisory Council on Global Change (WBGU) presented a normative compass as guideline for sustainable city development. The WBGU declares urban land use to be one underestimated transformative action field for cities. Within the SDGs, especially target 15.3 (land degradation neutrality) may become an important guideline for sustainable urban land use. Some cities already develop an adequate pathway towards sustainability. Thereby, many of them not only act on a local but also on an international level. Also, states set institutional and legal frameworks for transformative actions that have an effect on the cities themselves, as well as their transboundary activities. What are their potentials and limitations due to national legislation? How should the transformative power of cities be unleashed? This chapter points out the need for a polycentric responsibility architecture for sustainable urbanisation and will provide a concrete perspective for sustainable urban land use by particularly elaborating on the instrument of transformative planning.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    ICLEI (2017), p. 1.

  2. 2.

    WBGU (2016), pp. 68–75.

  3. 3.

    ICLEI (2017), p. 2.

  4. 4.

    ICLEI (2017), p. 2.

  5. 5.

    WBGU (2016), p. 71.

  6. 6.

    ICLEI (2017), p. 2.

  7. 7.

    WBGU (2016), p. 402.

  8. 8.

    Bodansky et al. (2017), p. 281.

  9. 9.

    Bodansky et al. (2017), p. 281.

  10. 10.

    Schröder and Bulkeley (2009), p. 314, further explanations in Sect. 4.1.

  11. 11.

    Aust (2017), p. 142 ff.

  12. 12.

    UN General Assembly (2015) Transforming our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Resolution Adopted by the General Assembly on 25 September 2015, A/Res/70/1.

  13. 13.

    UN General Assembly (2015) Transforming our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Resolution Adopted by the General Assembly on 25 September 2015, A/Res/70/1, rec. 34.

  14. 14.

    UN General Assembly (2015) Transforming our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Resolution Adopted by the General Assembly on 25 September 2015, A/Res/70/1, rec. 45, 52.

  15. 15.

    WBGU (2016), p. 377; UN General Assembly (2015) Transforming our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 25 September 2015, A/Res/70/1, rec. 52.

  16. 16.

    WBGU (2016), p. 377; Porras (2009), p. 556.

  17. 17.

    Ehlers (2017).

  18. 18.

    Ehlers (2017).

  19. 19.

    Wunder et al. (2018).

  20. 20.

    Ehlers (2017).

  21. 21.

    Boer et al. (2017).

  22. 22.

    Boer et al. (2017), p. 54 f.; See also Sect. 2.1.

  23. 23.

    UN General Assembly (1994), International Convention to Combat Desertification in those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly Africa (UNCCD). Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 14.10.1994, A/AC.241/27 (entered into force 1996); further analyses in: Beyerlin and Marauhn (2011), pp. 205–209.

  24. 24.

    Boer et al. (2017), p. 53.

  25. 25.

    Boer et al. (2017), p. 61.

  26. 26.

    Desai and Sidhu (2017), p. 43.

  27. 27.

    UNCCD (2017) The future strategic framework of the Convention. ICCD/COP(13)/L.18.

  28. 28.

    Boer et al. (2017), p. 62.

  29. 29.

    Boer et al. (2017), p. 63.

  30. 30.

    Aust (2017), p. 170 ff.

  31. 31.

    https://www.unccd.int/actions/ldn-target-setting-programme (accessed 23 June 2018).

  32. 32.

    The Global Mechanism of the UNCCD (2016), p. 11.

  33. 33.

    Further information on the programme available under: https://unhabitat.org/.

  34. 34.

    WBGU (2016), p. 111.

  35. 35.

    WBHU (2016), p. 381.

  36. 36.

    WBGU made several propositions how to reform UN-Habitat, WBGU (2016), p. 381 ff.

  37. 37.

    https://unhabitat.org/gltn/ (accessed 25 June 2018).

  38. 38.

    http://gltn.net/home/global-land-indicators-initiative-glii/ (accessed 25 June 2018).

  39. 39.

    WBGU (2016), p. 111; WBGU (2017).

  40. 40.

    UN Habitat I, Vancouver Declaration. Available under: https://unhabitat.org/history-mandate-role-in-the-un-system/ (accessed 25 June 2018).

  41. 41.

    UN Habitat II, Istanbul Declaration ‘Habitat Agenda’ and the Habitat Agenda Goals and Principles, Commitments and the Global Plan of Action. Available under: https://unhabitat.org/history-mandate-role-in-the-un-system/ (accessed 25 June 2018).

  42. 42.

    WBGU (2017), p. 1.

  43. 43.

    UN General Assembly (2016) New Urban Agenda. Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 23 December 2016, 71/256.

  44. 44.

    WBGU (2017).

  45. 45.

    UN General Assembly (2016) New Urban Agenda. Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 23 December 2016, 71/256, annex, rec. 69.

  46. 46.

    UN General Assembly (2016) New Urban Agenda. Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 23 December 2016, 71/256, annex, rec. 104.

  47. 47.

    WBGU (2017), p. 3.

  48. 48.

    WBGU (2017), pp. 1–2.

  49. 49.

    WBGU (2017), p. 3.

  50. 50.

    United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) (2015) Adoption of the Paris Agreement. FCCC/CP/2015/L.9/Rev.1.

  51. 51.

    Boer et al. (2017), p. 58.

  52. 52.

    https://unfccc.int/topics/land-use/workstreams/land-use%2D%2Dland-use-change-and-forestry-lulucf, accessed 25 June 2018.

  53. 53.

    https://unfccc.int/topics/land-use/workstreams/redd%2B, accessed 25 June 2018.

  54. 54.

    https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=IND&mtdsg_no=XXVII-7-d&chapter=27&clang=_en, accessed 24 April 2018.

  55. 55.

    Sands and Peel (2018), p. 319.

  56. 56.

    Detailed overview in: Bodansky et al. (2017), p. 213 ff.; p. 251 ff.; from a German perspective: Nückel (2017).

  57. 57.

    Franzius (2017).

  58. 58.

    Further remarks in 4.2.2.

  59. 59.

    WBGU (2016), p. 378.

  60. 60.

    Bodansky et al. (2017), p. 235.

  61. 61.

    UN Habitat (2017).

  62. 62.

    WBGU (2016), p. 127 ff.

  63. 63.

    WBGU (2016), p. 166.

  64. 64.

    WBGU (2016), p. 166.

  65. 65.

    WBGU (2016), p. 142 ff.

  66. 66.

    WBGU (2016), p. 166.

  67. 67.

    Further explanations on urban planning in Sect. 4.

  68. 68.

    WBGU (2016), p. 99; further explanations in 4.

  69. 69.

    WBGU (2016), p. 50.

  70. 70.

    Porras (2009), p. 536.

  71. 71.

    Schlacke and Kröger (2013).

  72. 72.

    WBGU (2016), p. 143.

  73. 73.

    WBGU (2016), p. 143.

  74. 74.

    Global Platform for the Right to the City (n.d.).

  75. 75.

    WBGU (2016), p. 143; further information on the Brazilian case in Fernandes (2007).

  76. 76.

    WBGU (2016), p. 100 ff.

  77. 77.

    Porras (2009), p. 552 ff.

  78. 78.

    WBGU (2016), p. 101.

  79. 79.

    Table 2.5-2, WBGU (2016), p. 102.

  80. 80.

    WBGU (2016), p. 99 ff.

  81. 81.

    WBGU (2016), p. 108.

  82. 82.

    WBGU (2016), p. 108.

  83. 83.

    WBGU (2016), p. 96.

  84. 84.

    An overview over different structures gives table 2.5-1, WBGU (2016), p. 98.

  85. 85.

    WBGU (2016), p. 96 ff.

  86. 86.

    UN Habitat (o.J.).

  87. 87.

    Lenk (2017).

  88. 88.

    WBGU (2016), p. 151 ff.

  89. 89.

    WBGU (2016), p. 339.

  90. 90.

    WBGU (2016), p. 339.

  91. 91.

    WBGU (2016), p. 173 ff.

  92. 92.

    WBGU (2016), p. 161.

  93. 93.

    WBGU (2016), p. 158.

  94. 94.

    WBGU (2016), p. 161.

  95. 95.

    WBGU (2016), p. 158.

  96. 96.

    WBGU (2016), p. 159.

  97. 97.

    WBGU (2016), p. 161.

  98. 98.

    WBGU (2016), p. 100.

  99. 99.

    WBGU (2016), p. 161.

  100. 100.

    WBGU (2016), p. 161.

  101. 101.

    WBGU (2016), p. 162.

  102. 102.

    WBGU (2016), p. 163.

  103. 103.

    WBGU (2016), p. 163.

  104. 104.

    WBGU (2016), p. 164.

  105. 105.

    In detail: WBGU (2016), p. 166 ff.

  106. 106.

    WBGU (2016), p. 168 ff.

  107. 107.

    WBGU (2016), p. 169 ff.

  108. 108.

    WBGU (2016), p. 109.

  109. 109.

    Aust (2017), p. 142 ff.

  110. 110.

    Aust (2015), p. 270.

  111. 111.

    WBGU (2016), p. 111.

  112. 112.

    Part II.

  113. 113.

    Aust (2017), p. 148.

  114. 114.

    Aust (2017), p. 148.

  115. 115.

    Aust (2017), p. 152 ff.

  116. 116.

    Aust (2017), p. 152 ff.

  117. 117.

    Overview in Aust (2017), p. 30 ff.

  118. 118.

    Aust (2017), p. 30.

  119. 119.

    Aust (2015), p. 258.

  120. 120.

    Aust (2017), p. 157.

  121. 121.

    Aust (2017), p. 157.

  122. 122.

    Aust (2017), p. 157.

  123. 123.

    Aust (2017), p. 162 ff.

  124. 124.

    Aust (2017), p. 164.

  125. 125.

    Porras (2009), p. 539.

  126. 126.

    WBGU (2016), p. 109; Bodansky et al. (2017), p. 281 ff.

  127. 127.

    WBGU (2016), p. 109.

  128. 128.

    WBGU (2016), p. 109.

  129. 129.

    WBGU (2016), p. 112.

  130. 130.

    Current list of observer NGOs available under: http://unfccc.int/parties_and_observers/ngo/items/9411.php (accessed 08 March 2018).

  131. 131.

    WBGU (2016), p. 112.

  132. 132.

    Current list of accredited Civil Society Organisations available under: https://knowledge.unccd.int/search?text=&f%5B0%5D=type%3Acso (accessed 19 June 2018).

  133. 133.

    At least ICLEI published a Briefing Sheet on land degradation and cities in 2017, ICLEI (2017).

  134. 134.

    WBGU (2016), p. 381.

  135. 135.

    In the United States of America 1000 mayors agreed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to meet the Kyoto protocols target though the US Government didn’t sign the protocol; http://www.iclei.org/details/article/1000-us-mayors-commit-to-kyoto-targets.html.

  136. 136.

    BayVerfGH, decision 7.10.2011, Vf. 32-VI-10; WBGU (2016), p. 380.

  137. 137.

    Aust (2017), p. 63 ff.

  138. 138.

    Aust (2017), p. 70 ff.

  139. 139.

    Aust (2017), p. 120.

  140. 140.

    Aust (2017), p. 139.

  141. 141.

    WBGU (2016), p. 17.

  142. 142.

    WBGU (2016), pp. 18, 384.

  143. 143.

    WBGU (2016), p. 338.

  144. 144.

    WBGU (2016), p. 379.

  145. 145.

    Barber (2013).

  146. 146.

    WBGU (2016), p. 379.

  147. 147.

    WBGU (2016), p. 380.

  148. 148.

    WBGU (2016), p. 380.

  149. 149.

    WBGU (2016), p. 380.

  150. 150.

    Sect. 4.2.2.

  151. 151.

    WBGU (2016), p. 381.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Münster, Münster, Germany

    Sabine Schlacke & Ulrike Jürschik

  2. German Advisory Council on Global Change (WBGU), Berlin, Germany

    Sabine Schlacke & Ulrike Jürschik

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  1. Sabine Schlacke
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  2. Ulrike Jürschik
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Correspondence to Sabine Schlacke or Ulrike Jürschik .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. German Environment Agency, Dessau, Germany

    Harald Ginzky

  2. University of Exeter, Exeter, UK

    Elizabeth Dooley

  3. Specialist Group on Sustainable Soils and Desertification, IUCN World Commission on Environmental Law, Kleinmachnow, Germany

    Irene L. Heuser

  4. Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda

    Emmanuel Kasimbazi

  5. Research Centre for European Environmental Law, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany

    Till Markus

  6. Research Institute of Environmental Law, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China

    Tianbao Qin

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Schlacke, S., Jürschik, U. (2019). Urbanisation and Urban Land Use: A Normative Compass for Sustainable Urban Governance. In: Ginzky, H., Dooley, E., Heuser, I., Kasimbazi, E., Markus, T., Qin, T. (eds) International Yearbook of Soil Law and Policy 2018. International Yearbook of Soil Law and Policy, vol 2018. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-00758-4_1

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