Exploring new horizons: the nexus of climate change, urban development and spirituality

Abstract

Urbanisation and climate change pose major challenges for humankind in the twenty-first century. Climate change will also change contemporary approaches to urban development as to how planners envisage development thus raising profound professional, technical and ethical issues. This article uses ideas of the emerging field of meta-theoretical studies, which bring to the forefront the phenomenon of spirituality. Scholars in this field point out that the reality of progressing climate change touches on the very existential (spiritual) foundations of human beings, which are hitherto largely ignored. Therefore, spirituality is increasingly seen as an important dimension framing and underlying the notions of and responses to climate change. According to these arguments, this article discusses the nexus and relationship of urbanisation, climate change and development with spirituality by applying Ken Wilber's integral theory. It concludes with implications of this approach with respect to planning theory and practice, and planning professionals