Population, territory and sustainable development

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social inclusion, with improvements in the quality of life for all segments of the population” (Polèse and
Stren, 2000, p. 16).
The comprehensive definition of development entails theoretical complexities and practical
difficulties beyond the purpose of this report, which is not to examine the concept in depth or measure
development. The aim of this report is to identify where the relations between population and territory
overlap with sustainable development. The message behind this definition is that the report does not look
just at the links between the spatial redistribution of populations and economic growth or improved living
conditions. It also analyses the links with ecosystem development, fulfilment of rights, the accumulation
or disaccumulation of social capital and social governance, on different geographical scales.
These definitions should be complemented by the space for interaction between the three
fundamental concepts. This includes the economic activities carried out by the population in a given area,
the institutions (in the sociological sense), rules, standards and habits created by the population which
govern it in a given territory and the reinforcing or conflicting relations between population, territory and
sustainable development. Moreover, these concepts —which constitute the pillars of analysis—
materialize in the form of tangible processes such as urbanization, spatial redistribution of the population,
urban sprawl and the expansion of the demographic frontier. All these processes will be examined in this
report, not only from the demographic point of view but also from other perspectives. This distinction is
important in the case of urbanization, since its economic and sociocultural dimensions tend to stand out
more than its demographic aspects. That said, the initial analysis of urbanization will look at the growth in
the urban share of the population, before considering the increase in urban production, distribution,
consumption and way of life as secondary issues.
With regard to the interlinkages between population, territory and sustainable development,
numerous recent publications by various United Nations bodies have emphasized the links between the
spatial distribution and mobility of populations and sustainable development (UNDP, 2009; World Bank,
2008; UNFPA, 2007; UN-HABITAT, 2008). Population settlement and movement have a direct impact
on ecosystems, which means that the spatial distribution and mobility of populations is a driving force
behind ecosystem alteration and transformation. International migration and mobility have become
increasingly important and visible in recent years and have additional implications by linking States.
However, the effects are not linear, nor are they automatically positive or negative. This is because they
depend on a range of factors including the size and characteristics of the population, how the ecosystem is
occupied and used, production and consumption patterns, technology and the absorption and replacement
capacity of the ecosystem.
Moreover, the spatial distribution and mobility of a population, including international migration,
is linked interactively with sustainable development. Historically, a scattered population was linked to
rurality, primary production and limited access to services, technology and knowledge. By contrast,
population concentration has favoured production and technological advances and boosted the knowledge
economy and an expansion of services. In addition, it brought down the cost of basic and social services
by means of coordinated networks, promoted access to public goods and spaces and facilitated the
extension and exercise of citizenship.
These stylized facts highlight the positive impact of urbanization on sustainable development but
omit the following effects:
(i) Sustainable development in turn triggers deconcentration, partly as a result of technological
progress —which facilitates coordinated remote production; instant, virtual interaction and