The catalysts of urban population growth are the complexities of sustainability, urban social infrastructure, and diverse social issues. The United Nations has released its findings on global urbanization, which showed that 45% of the world’s population of 8.2 billion people are living in urban areas. The figures show the accelerating urban growth and its implications.
The United Nations report predicts that population growth will be 43% in urban areas
In 1950, 30% of the world’s population lived in urban areas. Currently, that number is nearly half of the world population living in urban areas, and that number is projected to reach over 60% by 2050.
The report attributes urban population growth to metropolitan areas having economic opportunities, healthcare, and education. Rural areas are poor and have an abundance of climate change, which leaves people migrating to the metropolitan areas. While urban population growth presents opportunities for education and employment, because of the poor rural social infrastructure, it also presents challenges.
The world is a big place, and not every continent is seeing the same growth and urbanization of its population. Asia and Africa, for instance, are seeing the most rapid urban growth across the world, with cities like Dhaka, Lagos, and Jakarta, while Europe and North America continue to have lower population growth and slower urbanization in their cities.
The United Nations has claimed that the world has entered the age of megacities with populations larger than 10 million people
According to the UN, there are roughly 40 megacities in the world today, with many more expected to develop in the years to come. These cities are also the centers of economy, although they are also the centers of traffic, pollution, and a lack of affordable housing.
Urbanization has undeniable positive effects. Cities are the core of the world’s economy. The exchange of culture and the provision of goods and services are done more efficiently. However, the consolidation of people and resources magnifies the risks, as the UN points out. It predicts that there will be more issues with housing, transportation, and the health of the population. The Urban World Report states that there are many slums in the developing world, which means millions are at risk of getting sick and being displaced.
There are also many issues that the world needs to address
Cities all over the world produce 70 percent of the world’s carbon emissions, and that percentage is constantly increasing. The more people that live in a city, the worse the effect it will have on the environment. Expanded infrastructure, environmentally, as well as Urban Sprawl, will be a city’s worst enemy.
Integrated urban planning is needed in cities worldwide in order to make them safer and welcoming to all people. Some of the suggestions are the following:
- Building public transit systems, using renewable resources, and creating areas of vegetation will all help expand the sustainable infrastructure that a city has.
- More control is needed to ensure that people have fair access to housing and services.
- Advocating for climate adaptation methods, specifically in coastal cities at risk of sea level rise.
- Utilizing technology for smart cities that streamlines resource consumption and enhances overall living conditions.
The report states that urbanization, if conducted in a thorough manner, can greatly assist in the accomplishment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The global population will continue to rise, meaning the necessity of correct urbanization will become even more important. The UN encourages partnerships involving the government, the private sector, and the public to develop urban areas that are livable, sustainable, and adaptable to change. The outcome of the decisions we make today will decide the future of cities as either centers of wealth and prosperity or centers of wealth.