UCL’s Grand Challenge of Sustainable Cities launched

UCL formally launched its Grand Challenge of Sustainable Cities ' a programme to rally the university's breadth of expertise in service of urban sustainability ' at an evening event on 8 July 2009. Hundreds of invited guests ' including policymakers and practitioners from government bodies and non-governmental organisations, architectural practices and engineering firms ' were welcomed by UCL President and Provost Professor Malcolm Grant. Video: Launch participants? perspectives Professor Grant said that by the end of the 21st century some 80% of humanity would live in cities. This rapid growth would further stress the urban environment, posing significant problems in areas such as food security, energy, water, waste, transport, economy, trade, manufacture, wealth creation and quality of life. This evening marked UCL's commitment to deploying the breadth of its expertise ' in imaginative, interdisciplinary collaborations and partnerships with policymakers and practitioners ' to make our cities fit for purpose. A panel discussion followed, moderated by Roger Harrabin, BBC Environmental Analyst, with presentations by: Professor Mark Maslin (UCL Geography), Director of the UCL Environment Institute; Professor Raquel Rolnik (University of São Paulo), United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Adequate Housing; Yvonne Rydin (UCL Bartlett School of Planning), Professor of Planning, Environment & Public Policy; and Paul Finch, Programme Director of the World Architecture Festival and Editor Emeritus of 'Architectural Review'.Professor Maslin declared that the battle to deal with climate change will be won or lost in cities, which are responsible for 75% of energy demand.