The impact of population increase and urban migration on global sustainability and quality of life

Abstract

Global population has steadily increased for the last 50 years and could reach 10 billion by 2030. The percentage of the world's population living in urban areas has concurrently increased, exceeding 50% in 2008 and is projected by the United Nations to reach 75% by 2030. This paper reports on the impact of urban migration in the context of global growth and how it is affected by five key components: Urban Form, Food, Energy, Water, and Transport. From analysis of historic precedents, direct observation of current industry practices, and professional global urban design experience, it is concluded that the practice of city planning and design must adopt the principles of High Resolution Development, using compact neighbourhoods as the basic module to compose cities. The "City of Tomorrow" will contain both historic and technologically advanced components, relating to citizens on a human-scale. © 2013 WIT Press.