Urban resource harvesting

Giuseppe Ioppolo

Chapter 181 in Elgar Encyclopedia of Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment, 2026, pp 683-686 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: Urbanization, population growth, and climate change are straining resource supplies in cities. Urban Harvest delves deeper, exploring all possibilities for harvesting renewable resources like rainwater and solar energy, while optimizing existing urban infrastructure. It aims to create closed-loop urban systems, minimizing environmental impact and reliance on external resources. Urban Harvest considers six key areas within a city: rivers, forests, energy sources, quarries, underutilized spaces, and farms. By analyzing these areas, Urban Harvest maximizes resource yield and minimizes waste. This approach requires a shift in perspective, viewing cities as self-sustaining ecosystems. Urban Harvest utilizes a four-phase strategy: identifying unused resources, developing a system model, inventorying harvest potential, and investigating technologies for resource collection. Moreover, Urban Harvest represents a significant step towards sustainable urban development. Forthcoming study should focus on integrating the concept into urban design and planning across diverse contexts.

Keywords: Resource Management; Urban Harvesting; Urban areas; Urban Resources Management; Urban Design; Sustainability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781035309887
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