Jordi Vaquer: Ecology, resource flows - part of cities' 'metabolism'

Modern megacities cannot be effectively developed without a metropolitan approach that considers the interconnectedness of cities, regions, and resource flows, Jordi Vaquer, secretary general of the Metropolis Association (Spain), said at the adoption of the Barcelona Metropolitan Declaration at WUF13, Report informs.

He stated that without a metropolitan approach, it is impossible to see the full picture of urban reality and develop effective solutions.

Vaquer noted that modern cities with populations over one million have long functioned not as isolated administrative units, but as integrated metropolitan agglomerations.

"Such territories are interconnected systems spanning several municipalities and extending beyond traditional city boundaries," he emphasized.

The Secretary General of Metropolis also stated that the urban governance system must consider not only administrative levels but also horizontal and vertical connections between regions and government bodies.

He paid special attention to the so-called circular dimension of metropolises, related to human flows, ecology, air quality, energy, and food security.

According to him, these factors shape the "metabolism" of modern cities and should be taken into account when developing policy decisions.