Urbanization
Unless development patterns change, by 2030 humanity’s urban footprint will occupy an additional 1.5 million square kilometres - comparable to the combined territories of France, Germany and Spain—with the equivalent of a city of 1 million needed weekly across the next 38 years.
- UN estimates show human population growing from 7 billion today to 9 billion by 2050, translating into some 1 million more people expected on average each week for the next 38 years, with most of that increase anticipated in urban centres.
- Ongoing migration from rural to urban living could see world cities receive yet another 1 billion additional people.
- Total forecast urban population in 2050: 6.3 billion (up from 3.5 billion today).