Urban growth and the environment

The demographic explosion is a major phenomenon on the scale of our planet. The centralisation of growing populations in cities makes the environment an increasingly sensitive issue. Indeed the current world population (7.2 billion) is expected to increase to 8.1 billion by 2025 and 9.6 billion by 2050. Population growth has been associated with the emergence of environmental risks associated with increased urban waste. Global solid waste generation is expected to reach 11 million tonnes per day by 2100. Urban waste is classified mainly according to its origin allowing for a better understanding of environmental risks and treatment methods. Inefficient or non-management of waste leads to risks of pollution to the environment as well as to human health and animal and plant biodiversity.