Publications
-
Spatial Characterization of Urban Land Use through Machine Learning
by Peter Kerins, Emily Nilson, Eric Mackres, Taufiq Rashid, Brook Guzder-Williams and Steven Brumby - June 2020This technical note describes the data sources and methodology underpinning a computer system for the automated generation of land use/land cover maps of urban areas.
-
Comparing the Life Cycle Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Dairy and Pork Systems Across Countries Using Land-Use Carbon Opportunity Costs
by Stefan Wirsenius, Tim Searchinger, Jessica Zionts, Liqing Peng, Tim Beringer and Patrice Dumas - May 2020This paper compares the lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) costs of dairy production across 13 countries and pork production across 10 countries to obtain insights about what causes higher or lower emissions.
-
Surabaya: The Legacy of Participatory Upgrading of Informal Settlements
by Ashok Das and Robin King - November 2019This case study describes the history of Surabaya, Indonesia’s inclusive housing policy and how the Kampung Improvement Program became a model for in situ slum upgrading efforts both nationwide and internationally. The paper suggests certain actions that the city can take to maintain its legacy of inclusive housing policy, including prioritizing in situ, incremental upgrading of informal settlements; partnering with NGOs and universities to facilitate innovation; and improving the city’s transportation network and limiting high-end development that displaces residents.
-
Unaffordable and Undrinkable: Rethinking Urban Water Access in the Global South
by Diana Mitlin, Victoria A. Beard, David Satterthwaite and Jillian Du - August 2019This working paper describes water access challenges in cities of the global south that have been hitherto largely invisible in global indicators. In analyzing 15 cities, we found that piped utility water is the most affordable option, yet, on average, almost half of all households lack access, and most of those that do have access receive intermittent service. This paper highlights four key action areas for cities to improve water access: extending the formal piped water network, addressing context-specific causes of intermittent water service, pursuing diverse strategies to make water affordable, and supporting informal settlement upgrading.
-
Creating a Sustainable Food Future
A Menu of Solutions to Feed Nearly 10 Billion People by 2050 (Final Report)
by Tim Searchinger, Richard Waite, Craig Hanson, Janet Ranganathan and Emily Matthews - July 2019By 2050, nearly 10 billion people will live on the planet. Can we produce enough food sustainably? World Resources Report: Creating a Sustainable Food Future shows that it is possible – but there is no silver bullet. This report offers a five-course menu of solutions to ensure we can feed everyone without increasing emissions, fueling deforestation or exacerbating poverty. Intensive research and modeling examining the nexus of the food system, economic development, and the environment show why each of the 22 items on the menu is important and quantifies how far each solution can get us.
-
Guadalajara: Revisiting Public Space Interventions through the Via RecreActiva
by Carolina S. Sarmiento, Saúl Alveano and Robin King - March 2019This case study tells the story of the Via RecreActiva, a ciclovía event that closes more than 60km of streets in Guadalajara, Mexico every Sunday for public recreation and entertainment. The paper explains the benefits that can come to a city that invests in car-free space and how these investments can spark broader change towards a safer and more equitable city.
-
Johannesburg: Confronting Spatial Inequality
by Edgar Pieterse and Kate Owens - December 2018This case study in the World Resources Report, Towards a More Equal City, examines transformative urban change in Johannesburg, South Africa, through transit-oriented development (TOD). The Corridors of Freedom program aims to help reduce spatial inequality in the city by extending bus rapid transit to many new areas and spur new or improved infrastructure for non-motorized transport, social facilities and public infrastructure.
-
Creating a Sustainable Food Future
A Menu of Solutions to Feed Nearly 10 Billion People by 2050 (Synthesis Report)
by Tim Searchinger, Richard Waite, Craig Hanson, Janet Ranganathan, Patrice Dumas and Emily Matthews - December 2018The result of multiple years of research and modeling, the synthesis report of World Resources Report: Creating a Sustainable Food Future shows there is no silver bullet to sustainably feeding 10 billion people by 2050. How we produce and eat food will need an overhaul.
-
Powering Cities in the Global South: How Energy Access for All Benefits the Economy and the Environment
by Michael I. Westphal, Lihuan Zhou, David Satterthwaite and Sarah Martin - September 2017 -
Confronting the Urban Housing Crisis in the Global South: Adequate, Secure, and Affordable Housing
by Robin King, Mariana Orloff, Terra Virsilas and Tejas Pande - July 2017This paper discusses the challenge of adequate, secure and affordable housing in the global south.