Urban growth meets climate change: Asia proves need for integrated approach | Julian Hunt and Yuguo Li

With growth in Asia driving up greenhouse gas emissions, the development agenda must take an integrated approach to urban crises and climate change

As countries make final preparations for this month's UN summit in New York to agree the post-2015 development agenda, there is a growing need for policies that take an integrated approach to climate change and urban crises. Ground zero is Asia, where 60% of the world's population live.

Asia's conurbations are transforming faster than ever, with their geographies and populations doubling in less than 10 years. As the continent consumes ever-greater natural resources and discharges more waste, cities are generally not able to keep air pollution levels within international health standards. There is now a greater incidence of illness and death among the elderly and vulnerable, including young children.