UN: China cities to undergo heavy urban growth by 2050

New York (People’s Daily) - By 2050 almost 20 percent of China’s residents could be living in the country’s cities or other urban areas, according to a new United Nations (UN) report released Wednesday by the Population Division of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), highlighting the need for more sustainable urban planning and public services.

DESA released the findings in its annual World Urbanization Prospects 2018 which also said the global population increase is expected to happen in highly-concentrated areas and only in a handful of countries.

“Together, India, China, and Nigeria will account for 35 percent of the projected growth of the world’s urban population between 2018 and 2050. It is projected that India will have added 416 million urban dwellers, China 255 million, and Nigeria 189 million,” said DESA.

The report also estimates that by 2030, the world could have 43 megacities, a 30 percent jump from today’s number. Most of the cities that will have over 10 million residents will be located in developing countries.

By 2028, the Indian capital New Delhi could be the most populous city on the planet.

Currently, Tokyo holds the distinction as the world’s largest city with an agglomeration of 37 million inhabitants.

In second place sits New Delhi with 29 million, and Shanghai at 26 million. At the bottom of the top 5 sits Mexico City, Mexico, and São Paulo, Brazil with each having roughly 22 million inhabitants.

The soaring populations will place extra demands on resources and services among urban areas, the report noted.

“Many countries will face challenges in meeting the needs of their growing urban populations, including housing, transportation, energy systems and other infrastructure; as well as for employment and basic services such as education and health care,” said DESA, urging all governments to build upon their integrated policies to improve the quality of living for both urban and rural residents.

Simultaneously, connections between urban and rural regions will need to be strengthened, building upon on their existing economic, social, and environmental relationships, the report concluded.