European Environment Agency's home page

Write to us

For the public:

For media and journalists:

Contact EEA staff

Contact the web team

FAQ

Urban environment - SOER 2010 thematic assessment: The global population is congregating in our cities. Eighty per cent of the world’s estimated nine billion people in 2050 are expected to live in urban areas. Our cities and urban areas face many challenges from social to health to environmental. The impacts of cities and urban areas are felt in other regions which supply cities with food, water and energy and absorb pollution and waste. However, the proximity of people, businesses and services associated with the very word ‘city’ means that there are also huge opportunities. Indeed, well designed, well managed urban settings offer a key opportunity for sustainable living.
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › Thematic assessments
Economic determinant — GDP per capita figures for European cities, 2004 (EUR): The map shows the GDP per capita for European cites
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Europe's future depends on cities resilient to climate change: Around three quarters of Europeans live in cities. Most of Europe's wealth is generated in cities, and urban areas are particularly at risk due to climate change. Europe should seize the opportunity of improving quality of life while adapting to climate change in cities, according to a report from the European Environment Agency (EEA). The report also warns that delaying adaptation will be much more costly in the long-term.
Located in Press room › News
Percentage of the city that would be flooded in case rivers rise one metre: Percentage of the city that would be flooded in case water in rivers rises 1 m (only cities > 100 000 hab). The city is defined by its biophysical delineation (Urban Morphological Zone) inside the core city boundaries (Urban Audit). The background shows the relative change in 100-year return level of river discharge. Neither coastal floods nor flood protection measures are considered in the calculations.
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Europe's air story told in pictures: Air is a tricky subject to photograph, but this challenge has proved to be a source of inspiration for the winners of photo storycompetition ‘ImaginAIR’, organised by the European Environment Agency (EEA).
Located in News
Urban trends: Historical urban population trends and projections by world regions (1950- 2050), showing the share of cities with less than 750 000 inhabitants
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Urban soil sealing in Europe: Soil is the earth's living skin and provides us with essential services for life in our planet: production of food; infiltration and cleansing of water and protection against flooding; habitat for plants; areas for recreation and mental health; micro climate regulation, etc. It is such a crucial resource that it can't be ignored. However, particularly in urban areas, soil is being sealed off with increasing housing and infrastructure.
Located in Articles
Urban adaptation to climate change in Europe: Challenges and opportunities for cities together with supportive national and European policies
Located in Publications
European urban population trends: The graph shows the proportion of urban population of the overall population in Europe and the absolute numbers of urban population over time
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Climate change and flood risk in European cities: Increased flooding is likely to be one of the most serious effects from climate change in Europe over coming decades. Some of the conditions which may contribute to urban flooding are highlighted in an Eye on Earth map from the European Environment Agency (EEA).
Located in News