Template:Peak oil

From Lauraibm

Full article: Planning for Peak Oil (22-Aug-07)

It is believed that 64 of the 90 oil-producing countries of the world have already passed their peak production level, so it is vital that planners develop strategies to deal with the problems associated with a global oil shortage and increasing fuel costs.

Newman (2007) has described four different scenarios predicted by experts demonstrating the impacts upon a city afflicted by the peak oil crisis. Some experts predict that there would be an absolute collapse of society; others anticipate the ruralisation of our cities. A further theory addresses “The Divided City” in which the wealthy would live in the inner city with energy-efficient buildings, within walking distance of everything, whereas the lower-income groups would live in the outer suburbs where transport is unaffordable. The final scenario is that of the “Resilient, Sustainable, Solar City” made up of energy-efficient buildings, linked to other suburbs by electric transit.

Newman predicts it to be more likely for cities to adapt to the peak oil crisis with new urban technology and lifestyles rather than a dramatic change in the habitat where approximately half of the world’s population currently live.