19
CHAPTER 01. The state of the art of the Ecological Footprint indicator
1.1. Study context
Cities are considered dissipative structures governed by thermodynamic principles for energy
and material transfer, resulting in a permanent imbalance (Rees, 2011, 2012; Bettignies et al.,
2019; Gallopín, 2020) and greatly depending on their hinterland (Lenzen & Peters, 2010;
Lenzen et al., 2014; Gallopín, 2020), implying that the pressure of these structures exceeds
their boundaries (Folke et al., 1997). Indeed, the environment surrounding cities are under
continuous and increasing pressure, as cities expansion is fuel by its growing population, as
more than 60% of the world's population is expected to be living in cities around 2030 (IISG,
2016). These urban centers represent the breeding grounds for the economy but are also a
source of several forms of pollution, such as carbon dioxide emissions of more than 70%
(Shimomura & Tadashi, 2010; Wade, 2014; UNEP, 2017; Bettignies et al., 2019; Palme &
Salvati, 2019; Enel group, 2020; Küfeoğlu, 2022). Therefore, especially in developed countries,
the increasing generation of such a pollutant is likely to challenge decision-makers to find
appropriate solutions, whether implementing urban forest planting operations or exploring
the potential of other natural systems such as marine, river, and wetland ecosystems (Bazaz
et al., 2018). In contrast, urban development in developing and less developed countries raises
numerous concerns. Mainly the increased sprawl of the population accompanied by
undesirable events of resource depletion, inequality, and weather conditions, therby putting
additional strain on resource management policies (Henderson, 2002; El Sakka & El khamess,
2015; Padraig, 2016; Raed & Mounjur, 2017; World Economic Forum, 2018; Abubakar &
Adedoyin Aina, 2019). However, Galaeser et al. (2020) argue that urbanization in developing
cities may strengthen economic productivity. Nevertheless, it will require brilliant expertise
supported by accurate planning policy capacities. Developing countries must use the concepts
of sustainable development to grasp the factors hindering their progress. Such analysis must
be built on scientific data, allowing quantification indicators and robust measurement
methods to assist with management programs (Plag et al., 2019; El Rifai, 2021). In this regard,
Algeria's economic progress inspired the adoption of a set of development indicators to
ensure political and economic updates and competiveness with other countries (Mesbahi,
2021). According to Algeria's human development index, the country has progressed from
medium to high development over twenty years (UNDP, 2020). This index establishes an
outlook based on a country's health, knowledge, and standard of living performance.
However, the improvement in quality of life is not without consequences. Thus, in its
developing stage, Algeria should implement conservation measures for natural resources and
the environment and increase its resilience, especially in vulnerable regions. Considerations
should also include the increase in the population and the associated needs. Accordingly,
Algeria has been developing numerous territorial and sectorial action plans targeting natural
resource conservation, such as water (installation of desalination plant), improving the quality
of transport, especially in the agglomerations (Algiers metro), reducing pollution forms (solid
waste wastewater treatment), and more importantly, restructuring urbanization (United
CHAPTER 01. The state of the art of the Ecological Footprint indicator
1.1. Study context
Cities are considered dissipative structures governed by thermodynamic principles for energy
and material transfer, resulting in a permanent imbalance (Rees, 2011, 2012; Bettignies et al.,
2019; Gallopín, 2020) and greatly depending on their hinterland (Lenzen & Peters, 2010;
Lenzen et al., 2014; Gallopín, 2020), implying that the pressure of these structures exceeds
their boundaries (Folke et al., 1997). Indeed, the environment surrounding cities are under
continuous and increasing pressure, as cities expansion is fuel by its growing population, as
more than 60% of the world's population is expected to be living in cities around 2030 (IISG,
2016). These urban centers represent the breeding grounds for the economy but are also a
source of several forms of pollution, such as carbon dioxide emissions of more than 70%
(Shimomura & Tadashi, 2010; Wade, 2014; UNEP, 2017; Bettignies et al., 2019; Palme &
Salvati, 2019; Enel group, 2020; Küfeoğlu, 2022). Therefore, especially in developed countries,
the increasing generation of such a pollutant is likely to challenge decision-makers to find
appropriate solutions, whether implementing urban forest planting operations or exploring
the potential of other natural systems such as marine, river, and wetland ecosystems (Bazaz
et al., 2018). In contrast, urban development in developing and less developed countries raises
numerous concerns. Mainly the increased sprawl of the population accompanied by
undesirable events of resource depletion, inequality, and weather conditions, therby putting
additional strain on resource management policies (Henderson, 2002; El Sakka & El khamess,
2015; Padraig, 2016; Raed & Mounjur, 2017; World Economic Forum, 2018; Abubakar &
Adedoyin Aina, 2019). However, Galaeser et al. (2020) argue that urbanization in developing
cities may strengthen economic productivity. Nevertheless, it will require brilliant expertise
supported by accurate planning policy capacities. Developing countries must use the concepts
of sustainable development to grasp the factors hindering their progress. Such analysis must
be built on scientific data, allowing quantification indicators and robust measurement
methods to assist with management programs (Plag et al., 2019; El Rifai, 2021). In this regard,
Algeria's economic progress inspired the adoption of a set of development indicators to
ensure political and economic updates and competiveness with other countries (Mesbahi,
2021). According to Algeria's human development index, the country has progressed from
medium to high development over twenty years (UNDP, 2020). This index establishes an
outlook based on a country's health, knowledge, and standard of living performance.
However, the improvement in quality of life is not without consequences. Thus, in its
developing stage, Algeria should implement conservation measures for natural resources and
the environment and increase its resilience, especially in vulnerable regions. Considerations
should also include the increase in the population and the associated needs. Accordingly,
Algeria has been developing numerous territorial and sectorial action plans targeting natural
resource conservation, such as water (installation of desalination plant), improving the quality
of transport, especially in the agglomerations (Algiers metro), reducing pollution forms (solid
waste wastewater treatment), and more importantly, restructuring urbanization (United