Chapter 2: Megacities: complexity, risk and creativity
Our world is increasingly urban: 75 percent of the population is expected to live in cities by 2050. Of these cities, 225 of them are expected to cross the 1-million-person mark by 2025.
Cities undoubtedly have much to offer. They are centres for innovation and growth; many are resilient and resource efficient. Yet those that stretch along coastal regions—“littoral states” —could be vulnerable to extreme climate change. Food security, health, energy, poverty and inequality pose further risk, as do the rapid technological advancements underway. We know artificial intelligence, robotics and the Internet of Things (IoT) will change the world we live in—but how? Will they enable integration, or lead to instability?
Already we see leaders embracing the idea of ‘the creative city’. If these leaders are able to focus on climate-resilient, decentralised and integrated renewal of aging infrastructure, there may be opportunities to integrate energy, water and food production in a holistic, meaningful way. If city leaders and empowered communities have this vision, the investment funds will follow—driving progress that can benefit everyone the world-over.
