Publication Type
Journal
Journal Name
Earth's Future
Publication Date
Volume
12
Issue
11
Abstract
Cities are concentrators of complex, multi-sectoral interactions. As keystones in the interconnected human-Earth system, cities have an outsized impact on the Earth system. We describe a multi-lens framework for organizing our understanding of the complexity of urban systems and scientific research on urban systems. We then describe four critical dimensions along which improvements are needed to advance the urban research that addresses urgent climate challenges: 1) solutions-oriented research, 2) equity-centered assessments which rely on fine-scale human and ecological data, 3) co-production of knowledge, and 4) better integration of human and natural systems occurring through theory, observation, and modeling.
