Six of the world's fastest-growing megacities are examined in terms of their most pressing problems and what they are doing to address them.
"Petty crime and pollution are common inconveniences in cities big and small. But in megacities, those with a population of 10 million or more, these and other everyday headaches can quickly become mammoth problemsâ€"putting both lives and treasure at risk. The stakes have never been higher. In 1995, the world had just 14 megacities. By 2015, there will be 21. FP looks at the problems plaguing six of them."
"Tokyo: What's the problem? Earthquakes. Japan sits atop several converging tectonic plates, making it one of the most precariously situated cities on the globe."
"Mumbai: What's the problem? Monsoons and floods. Located on an island where the Mithi River meets the Arabian Sea, Mumbai gets hit by both inland flooding from the river and harsh monsoon rains from the sea."
"Mexico City: What's the problem? Pollution. Mexico City has some of the dirtiest air on Earth. Its pollution levels are five times higher than those of Los Angeles."
"Sao Paolo: What's the problem? Crime and vice. Sao Paolo is home to some of the world’s worst violence. During the 1990s, there were more shooting deaths in Brazil than in most war zones."
"Seoul: What's the problem? Overcrowding. South Korea already has the fourth-highest population density in the world, and since the 1960s, the country’s people have steadily migrated to the cities, especially to Seoul."
"Lagos: What's the problem? Sanitation and waste. Lagos is the world’s fastest-growing megacityâ€"and the dirtiest."
FULL STORY: The List: The World’s Megacities
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.
MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.
Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie