This issue disseminates population census data and comparable national data on registered vital events (births, deaths, marriages and divorces) in the ESCWA region, with complementary analysis. To optimize accuracy, data have been checked for consistency against national, regional and international sources and for comparability purposes, rates have been computed using the World Population Prospects: The 2008 Revision prepared by the United Nations Population Division.

The economic development in the ESCWA region is accompanied by an overexploitation of resources causing adverse impacts on the environment, particularly deteriorating air and water quality, diminishing water resources, land degradation and desertification, and biodiversity loss, all of which affect the sustainability and quality of life.

The Arab cities are experiencing fast transformation in their economic, social and architectural structures. That transformation encompasses many contradictions resulting from internal factors related to natural characteristics and external factors related to the economic globalization. On the one hand, the growing cities generate such economic development dynamics as employment opportunities and creative urban cultures. On the other hand, they face such growing challenges as inequity, violence, social exclusion and poverty.

The primary objectives of this document are to help public and private sector planners, developers and designers, as well as the management and operating staff, in the tourism sector to conceptualize and recommend options for energy systems, design and management, that minimize the consumption of scarce energy resources and reduce the energy system’s environmental impacts.