Two-thirds of world’s energy consumed in cities: Urban economy official

The remarks were made by the chairman of the second international conference on urban economy during a recdent local gathering.

The second international conference on urban economy is to be held in the Iranian capital in October 2017.

Hossein Pourzarandi noted that one of the lesser considered aspects of urban development process is the mutual impact of cultural and economic development.

Pourzarandi, also the president of Iran Urban Economics Scientific Association (IUESA), said according to economists, an individual’s economic behavior is based on a rational advantage, but it should be noted that the type of people’s choices, even in relation to economic issues, is based on their beliefs and their peripheral culture.

Saying that one of the issues that specify the relationship between those two categories is the role of culture in the optimization of energy consumption, the official said according to researches, although we have problems with methods of pricing in our country, major part of waste is due to socio-cultural issues.

Adding that cities account for more than two-thirds of the world’s energy consumption, he said any change in energy consumption in the metropolitan area can change the consumption equation globally.

Pourzarandi said that particular attention has been paid to infrastructures to promote efficiency and saving energy consumption in resistance economy.

He added that only by optimizing energy consumption, it will be possible to save $ 100bn for the country. Even if 10% of this figure is realized, it can make a leap in the country’s growth path.

Referring to the second international conference on urban economy, Pourzarandi said one of the main topics of the conference is to focus on modifying the pattern of energy consumption in cities.

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