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ArticleOpen Access http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/as.2026.06.003

The Triple Nexus: Urbanization, Industrialization, and Environmental Issues

Abdulkarim Hasan Rashed

Independent Researcher and Environmental Sustainability Expert, Bahrain.

*Corresponding author:Abdulkarim Hasan Rashed

Published: May 29, 2026

Abstract

Industrialization is the main driver of urbanization, and the two are closely linked. While industrialization creates economic opportunities, it also brings significant environmental and social challenges. For over two centuries, industrialization has shaped territorial development and continues to play a key role in society. Today, global discussions focus on building sustainable cities to address challenges related to urbanization, including air pollution, climate change, waste, biodiversity loss, and increased resource consumption. This study employed a desk research methodology, which involves collecting and analyzing existing information and data. It includes reviewing published materials such as book chapters, scholarly literature, and international reports (e.g., UN reports). The study aims to critically examine the interconnected dynamics of urban growth, industrial development, and environmental issues, with a focus on understanding their interlinkages and exploring sustainable pathways. The continued growth of urbanization and industrialization creates significant environmental challenges. Unplanned urban sprawl depletes natural resources, increases air pollution, climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource consumption. Addressing these issues requires a renewed commitment to integrating industrialization, urbanization, and environmental priorities within a sustainability framework. These challenges are particularly pressing in densely populated cities, where human activity puts a substantial strain on the environment. Achieving the SDGs of the 2030 Agenda and inclusive growth depends on developing resilient infrastructure and promoting inclusive, sustainable industrialization and urbanization. Urbanization and industrialization are the twin engines of modern development; however, they require governance policies such as sustainable urban planning and eco-technologies to ensure that progress aligns with human prosperity and environmental sustainability.

Keyword

Climate change; hazardous waste; biodiversity loss; resource consumption; sustainable urbanization; eco-industrial; governance policy; SDGs

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How to cite this paper

The Triple Nexus: Urbanization, Industrialization, and Environmental Issues

How to cite this paper: Abdulkarim Hasan Rashed. (2026). The Triple Nexus: Urbanization, Industrialization, and Environmental Issues. Advance in Sustainability6(1), 25-41.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/as.2026.06.003