The largest cities in the world are witnessing growing urbanization at an unprecedented rate and in parallel cities in urban areas around the globe are also developing equally. The growth is accompanied by the rise of living standards in all of these cities, an increase in commuting facilities, and the social and economic transactions among the population. When mentioning population, recent data has shown there has been an explosion of demographics in many urban cities and the largest cities in the world.
The data released by the UN on population growth highlighted that more than half of the world’s population roughly 55% are living in cities, and this is expected to heighten to 68% by 2050. UN also provided an estimation that by 2050 the urban population will hit 2.5 billion with urban growth centering in Asia and Africa.
The World Economic Forum also released the urban population growth, an increase from 750 million in 1950 to 3.9 billion in 2014, and another 2.5 billion in the middle of the century. All the above data directly revealed that the growth of the world’s population is centered in urban areas. As the epicenter of the demographic change is in urban cities delving into how such large cities tackle this urbanization problem and initiate policy for sustainable solutions is a trending debate.
Tokyo, Japan
Population: 37.4 million
The capital city of Japan, Tokyo one of the largest cities in the world home to an unbelievable 37 million people, a city known for its well-administer urban area, incomparably clean, and known for its safety. The city is better known as one of the largest cities in the world that has managed to maintain culture while introducing a new level of standard of living for the reticent with the latest technology. The urban city even with its staggering population has been successful in implementing policies to tackle the road conjuction and public transport facilities.
Delhi, India
Population: 33.8 Million
Among the largest cities in the world, Delhi holds a large sizeable population of the country with 33 million living in the urban city, and is expected to surpass Tokyo by 2030. The city of Delhi is known to be one of the fastest-growing urban cities in the world. The city’s Master Plan for 2021 has attempted to stabilize the growing urbanization by minimizing the slum areas, directing the traffic congestion, and importing a “globalized skyline.
Shanghai, China
Population: 29. 8 Million
This ancient city of China is considered one of the largest cities in the world and the biggest in China. The growing city of Shanghai is experiencing its population explosion and growing urbanization, as estimated the city will reach 32 million population by 2030. The city administration has adopted ways to channel the increasing population to a global city with many of its planning one such is the population control and
Shanghai’s urban sustainable development is one of its effective measures to tackle the population and economic growth. The Shanghai Manual established in 2011 acts as an effort to advance sustainable urban development. The Shanghai Manual 2022 Annual Report has shown some practical solutions to the urbanization problem by localizing the SDGs’, demonstrating and introducing best practices in society, economy, environment, culture, and governance.
The Nanjing Road shopping district, a 5.5km street one of the busiest commercial spaces in the world, with one million people visiting aims to boost the sustainability project.
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Population: 23.9 Million
The capital city of Bangladesh is known to have one of the highest population densities in the world with 23.9 Million people in the metropolitan area of Dhaka and one of the largest cities in the world. Several developmental control initiatives and planning regulations have been introduced to maintain the rising urbanization. With more than 50 developmental entities, urban planning is attempting its city’s future.
The Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100 is one such example of handling urban management, a sustainable plan to develop flood protection and water management. Regional Development Planning (RDP) within the City Region Development project is how Dhaka prepares for urban growth. The Detail Area Plan 2022-2035 has been laid out to further advance the city’s metropolitan planning with its three pillars of livability, functionality, and resilience.
Sao Paulo, Brazil
Population: 22.8 Million
The financial capital of Brazil, one of the largest cities in the world, is yet another city in the world witnessing greater urbanization and surging demographic change. Sao Paulo’s Municipal Department of Urban Development (SMDU) has introduced innovative urban management methods such as the “Gestão Urbana SP” a digital platform. A new Master Plan was adopted in 2016 and the city’s development and growth for the next 16 years were issued for effective management of the urbanization.
Some of the goals of the Master plan were to introduce housing policies, and an environmental agenda, improve urban mobility, guide growth near public transportation, promote economic and social development, preserve the heritage and enhance cultural initiatives, and lastly strengthen public participation in the decisions about the future of the city.
Cairo, Egypt
Population: 22.6 Million
A city prominent for its historically significant architecture is also home to roughly 11 percent of the population of Egypt. As per 2021 data, one-fifth of the total population of Egypt live in the urban city of Cairo one of the largest cities in the world. The Greater Cairo Urban Development Project is underway to face the alarming population and urbanization challenges.
The urban planning project of these largest cities in the world focuses on improving the public transportation line, urban management, and sustainable waste control system. Through such the city seeks to improve the public bus service, pilot street cleaning, solid waste management, and enforcement of traffic regulations and parking controls.
Mexico City, Mexico
Population: 22.3 Million
The city of Mexico is now not only a business and a tourist destination but its one of the largest cities in the world with a population of 22.3 Million. The unique urban planning to face the population rise of Mexico is its well-planned zoning strategy which aims strategy to accommodate the demographic rise. Technological advancement in urban planning is also a feature of its urban development such as the introduction of seismic-resistant architecture. Mexico City is also witnessing an urban design of a zoning system that mixes residential, commercial, and recreational areas.
Beijing, China
Population: 21.8 Million
The city of Beijing is considered the second-largest city in China and one of the largest cities in the world, also known as the business hub. China’s capital city’s most notable policy to minimize the burgeoning urban growth and its population is the one-child policy which has been rolled back due to its falling birth rate over the last several years.
The Beijing Urban Development Model (BUDEM) helps to predict urban growth rate, an approach to support urban planning and policy evaluation. A vector-based model has also been developed to specifically identify policies required for implementing the planned urban form desired by planners and decision-makers.
Mumbai, India
Population: 21.6 Million
Among the largest cities in the world, the Indian financial capital, and home to the Indian film industry, Mumbai is changing the population landscape rapidly, swiftly increasing its urban development. The Mumbai Development Plan (MDP) 2034 has been introduced to channel economic growth, raise the standard of living, and maintain sustainable approaches. With this the zoning policies to solve the problems while increasing public infrastructure have been adopted.
Osaka, Japan
Population: 19 Million
In the Keihanshin Metropolitan Area, Osaka Japan’s third-largest city and one of the largest cities in the world is included and it hosts around 19 million people. The historical city is a famous commercial and industrial prefecture that brings modern architecture to its urban landscape. Once a capital city, the urban population thrived in this area, it was also once an epicenter of Japan’s economy and trade. In parallel with its increasing urban population, Osaka is undergoing an urban redevelopment project along the main transportation hub and has reached its final stage, expecting that it will become a gateway to western Japan. Sustainable development is also one part of the planning as Grand Green Osaka will feature a green space and an event venue, as well as other facilities that can accommodate many people.
As the global population grows exponentially, the evolution of urbanization is going at on fast pace, in parallel most of the major cities are re-developing their urban policies centered on technology and sustainable approaches.
