title: Urban metabolism: a review of research methodologies.
abstract: Urban metabolism analysis has become an important tool for the study of urban ecosystems. The problems of large metabolic throughput, low metabolic efficiency, and disordered metabolic processes are a major cause of unhealthy urban systems. In this paper, I summarize the international research on urban metabolism, and describe the progress that has been made in terms of research methodologies. I also review the methods used in accounting for and evaluating material and energy flows in urban metabolic processes, simulation of these flows using a network model, and practical applications of these methods. Based on this review of the literature, I propose directions for future research, and particularly the need to study the urban carbon metabolism because of the modern context of global climate change. Moreover, I recommend more research on the optimal regulation of urban metabolic systems.
authors.affiliation: State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Xinjiekouwai Street No. 19, Beijing 100875, China. zhangyanyxy@126.com
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D002947:Cities; D055669:Ecological and Environmental Phenomena; D017753:Ecosystem; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D012107:Research Design