Lmst

The World Economic Forum's bold prediction-6
https://wp.me/p84YjG-8ZE
#Urbanization2030 #SmartCities #Megacities #RemoteWork #CityPlanning #FutureCities #zsoltzsemba #urbanplanning

https://zsoltzsemba.com/remote-work-wfh-sustainability-economy/

The World Economic Forum’s bold prediction-6

Urbanization Patterns Will Undergo Significant Change by 2030

Over the past century, the global population has increasingly concentrated in urban areas. By 2030, the World Economic Forum predicts that urbanization will not only continue but also undergo radical transformations driven by technology, socio-economic shifts, and environmental imperatives. These changes will redefine city life, infrastructure, governance, and environmental impact across the globe.

The Growth and Evolution of Megacities

Currently, major metropolitan areas like Tokyo, Delhi, Shanghai, and São Paulo are home to over 10 million residents each. By 2030, it is projected that the number of megacities—urban areas with populations exceeding 10 million—will continue to grow. While some may see these sprawling urban centers expand, others will experience deurbanization or decentralization due to the rise of remote work and changing economic patterns.

The growth of megacities will be facilitated by advances in transportation, renewable energy, and data collection. Smart urban planning utilizing Internet of Things (IoT) devices and big data analytics will enable cities to optimize traffic, energy consumption, and waste management, creating more sustainable environments.

The Impact of Remote Work and Decentralization

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of remote work and hybrid working models. The WEF predicts that by 2030, this trend may lead to a significant shift in urbanization patterns. People may increasingly choose to live outside traditional city centers, where costs are lower and the quality of life higher, leading to a more dispersed pattern of urban settlements.

This decentralization could ease pressure on urban infrastructure, reduce congestion, and lower pollution levels in city centers. However, it also presents challenges such as maintaining connectivity, service delivery, and social cohesion across dispersed populations.

The Rise of “Tiny Cities” and Satellite Towns

A new trend predicted involves smaller, highly connected, technologically advanced ‘tiny cities’ or satellite towns that work in harmony with major urban centers. These hubs will be designed with sustainability, health, and high-quality living standards at their core, often powered by renewable energy and intelligent transport systems.

Challenges of Future Urban Living

Despite the opportunities, significant challenges remain. Rising urban populations, resource scarcity, and climate change threaten to create megacity slums, social inequality, and environmental degradation if not managed properly. Access to clean water, affordable housing, healthcare, and education must be prioritized to prevent social polarization.

Cities will need to invest heavily in green infrastructure—such as urban green spaces, water recycling, and clean transit—to circuit-break environmental impacts and promote resilience against climate shocks.

Moreover, governance structures will need to evolve into more participative, data-driven models that enable citizens to have a voice in urban planning and management.

Innovations Driving the Future of Urbanization

Artificial intelligence and digital twin technology will facilitate real-time urban management, enabling rapid response to issues such as traffic congestion, pollution, and emergencies. Modular building techniques and innovative construction materials will allow rapid deployment of affordable housing and infrastructure repairs.

Furthermore, policies encouraging mixed-use developments and urban farming could contribute to more self-sufficient, resilient communities.

Final Reflection

The future of urbanization, as predicted by the World Economic Forum, suggests a landscape of adaptable, smart cities integrated within a global network of sustainable, people-centred urban environments. These transformations will demand visionary planning, innovative technology, and inclusive governance to foster cities that serve humanity and the planet alike.

Achieving this vision requires multinational cooperation, public and private sector partnerships, and active community engagement to navigate the complex realities of the 2030’s urban world.

Sources
[1] What will the world look like in 2030? https://www.weforum.org/stories/2016/01/what-will-the-world-look-like-in-2030/
[2] Future of Jobs Report 2025: 78 Million New … https://www.weforum.org/press/2025/01/future-of-jobs-report-2025-78-million-new-job-opportunities-by-2030-but-urgent-upskilling-needed-to-prepare-workforces/
[3] What if we get things right? Visions for 2030 https://www.weforum.org/stories/2019/10/future-predictions-what-if-get-things-right-visions-for-2030/
[4] A prediction: The world’s most powerful economies in 2030 https://www.weforum.org/stories/2017/02/a-prediction-the-worlds-most-powerful-economies-in-2030/
[5] Life in 2030: these are the 4 things experts can’t predict https://www.weforum.org/stories/2017/11/life-in-2030-what-experts-cant-predict/
[6] This is how our world could change by 2030. Read more: … https://www.facebook.com/worldeconomicforum/videos/8-predictions-for-the-world-in-2030/10154159674886479/
[7] Global Economic Futures: Competitiveness in 2030 https://www.weforum.org/publications/global-economic-futures-competitiveness-in-2030/
[8] A future with no individual ownership is not a happy one https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0016328723001131
[9] Which roles will see the fastest growth in demand by 2030 … https://www.facebook.com/worldeconomicforum/posts/which-roles-will-see-the-fastest-growth-in-demand-by-2030-learn-the-answer-in-th/1251793286988907/
[10] Global Economic Futures https://www.weforum.org/publications/global-economic-futures-productivity-in-2030/

#cityplanning #futurecitiesmeta #megacities #remotework #smartcities #urbanization2030

Tokyo Loses Title Of World’s Most Populous City, According To UN

A new United Nations report has awarded the title of the world’s most populous city to Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia. Overtaking the Japanese capital, Tokyo, for the first …
#Japan #JP #Tokyo #citywiththebiggestpopulation #Dhaka #Jakarta #megacities #Megacity #mostpopulouscity #newyork #news #theUN #tokyonews #urbanization #東京 #東京都
 https://www.alojapan.com/1420172/tokyo-loses-title-of-worlds-most-populous-city-according-to-un/

https://www.alojapan.com/1420172/tokyo-loses-title-of-worlds-most-populous-city-according-to-un/ Tokyo Loses Title Of World’s Most Populous City, According To UN #CityWithTheBiggestPopulation #Dhaka #Jakarta #megacities #Megacity #MostPopulousCity #NewYork #news #TheUN #Tokyo #TokyoNews #urbanization #東京 #東京都 A new United Nations report has awarded the title of the world’s most populous city to Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia. Overtaking the Japanese capital, Tokyo, for the first time, Jakarta jumped from 33rd place in the last ranking

Jakarta overtakes Tokyo as world’s largest city, according to UN

Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta, is the world’s largest urban centre with a population of almost 42 million, according to new research by the United Nations. Tokyo was the largest city…
#Japan #JP #Tokyo #biggestcity #Dhaka #greaterjakarta #Jakarta #largestpopulation #megacities #news #Population #tokyonews #undesa #UnitedNations #東京 #東京都
 https://www.alojapan.com/1418448/jakarta-overtakes-tokyo-as-worlds-largest-city-according-to-un/

https://www.alojapan.com/1418448/jakarta-overtakes-tokyo-as-worlds-largest-city-according-to-un/ Jakarta overtakes Tokyo as world’s largest city, according to UN #BiggestCity #Dhaka #GreaterJakarta #Jakarta #LargestPopulation #megacities #news #Population #Tokyo #TokyoNews #undesa #UnitedNations #東京 #東京都 Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta, is the world’s largest urban centre with a population of almost 42 million, according to new research by the United Nations. Tokyo was the largest city in the world in the year 2000, but slower populat

Sinking Indian #megacities pose 'alarming' building damage risks

https://phys.org/news/2025-10-indian-megacities-pose-alarming.html
Sinking land is quietly destabilizing urban infrastructure in India's largest cities, putting thousands of buildings and millions of people at risk, according to Virginia Tech scientists.

#megacities #cities #water #waterscarcity #drought

Original open access article

Ravinandrasana & Franzke, 23 Sept. 2025, Nat Commun 16, 8281

The first emergence of unprecedented global water scarcity in the Anthropocene

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-63784-6

#climate #ClimateScience #climatechange #ClimateEmergency #ClimateCrisis #ClimateBreakdown #ClimateDisruption #globalWarming #globalHeating #ExtremeWeather #polycrisis

#FYI #PaulBeckwith video lecture and literature review #megacities #cities #water #waterscarcity

"2025 #Tehran, #Iran, 20 million people in area, is only one month away from #zerowater (taps running dry), reservoirs 5% capacity, sixth year of worst #drought in 60 years, may force move of capital"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YABotGcsz90

#climate #ClimateScience #climatechange #ClimateEmergency #ClimateCrisis #ClimateBreakdown #ClimateDisruption #globalWarming #globalHeating #ExtremeWeather #polycrisis

Building Damage Risk In Sinking Indian Megacities
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https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-025-01663-0 <-- shared paper
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https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-annals-X-G-2025-613-2025 <-- shared paper
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https://www.downtoearth.org.in/urbanisation/writing-on-the-wall-groundwater-exploitation-is-triggering-subsidence-in-indo-gangetic-plain-90523 <-- shared media article
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#GIS #spatial #mapping #spatialanalysis #India #subsidence #risk #hazard #groundwater #depletion #exploitation #pumping #sinking #overpumping #aquifer #watermanagement #structural #damage #infrastructure #cost #residential #publicsafety #economics #engineering #construction #buildingcodes #remotesensing #model #modeling #satellite #earthobservation #elevation #megacities #city #cities #urban #differential #settlement #planning #policy #mitigation #maintainence #inSAR #verticallandmovement #VLM #engineeringgeology #geostatistics #flood #flooding #sediment

Trung Quốc dẫn đầu thế giới trong cuộc đua xây dựng các siêu đô thị với tốc độ đô thị hóa nhanh chóng trong vài thập kỷ qua.

#TrungQuốc #đôthịhóa #siêuđôthị #China #urbanization #megacities

https://vtcnews.vn/trung-quoc-dan-dau-the-gioi-trong-cuoc-dua-xay-dung-sieu-do-thi-ar961826.html

Megatrend #25 - Urban Reimagination: "Beyond smart, we are building living cities: integrated ecosystems designed for a resilient, equitable, and profoundly human future." - Futurist Jim Carroll

(Futurist Jim Carroll is writing a series on 30 Megatrends, which he first outlined in his book 𝑫𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑹𝒂𝒊𝒏: 𝑯𝒐𝒘 𝑩𝒐𝒍𝒅 𝑳𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝑮𝒓𝒐𝒘 𝑺𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓 𝒊𝒏 𝑺𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒚 𝑻𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒔. The trends were shared in the book as a way of demonstrating that, despite any period of economic volatility, there is always long-term opportunity to be found. The book is now in print - learn more at dancing.jimcarroll.com)

Cities are not just growing, they are evolving into integrated systems for food, energy, transportation, and living that function very differently from urban environments. This represents a massive infrastructure opportunity, particularly as 67 megacities (cities with over 10 million inhabitants) will exist, with a combined population of approximately 670 million. It's called the "integrated city", and it's a pretty significant transformation of what we think of as urban areas.

Let's dig in - to start, here's the full PDF report.

https://pdf.jimcarroll.com/Megatrend25-UrbanReimination.pdf

What's it all about?

Cities worldwide are undergoing their most profound transformation since the Industrial Revolution. This is not merely about making cities “smarter” with technology, but about a fundamental rethinking of the entire concept and layout of a city.

And it's a HUGE megatrend infrastructure opportunity, creating a market projected to reach $3.76 trillion by 2030.

Part of the reason for the trend is that simply, we simply need to rethink how cities function in light of scarce resources. Cities consume 75% of extracted natural resources and generate up to 80% of greenhouse gas emissions, making a transition from linear ‘take-make-waste’ models to circular resource flows an imperative for survival.

It's not just that - it's the rise of the megacities that is driving this trend. The global urban population is projected to grow from 4.8 billion today to 5.6 billion by 2035.

Overall, the fact is this: the $3.76 trillion opportunity represents not just economic value, but the chance to create more livable, equitable, and sustainable urban environments.

**#Cities** **#Urban** **#Infrastructure** **#Smart** **#Integration** **#Sustainability** **#Innovation** **#Technology** **#Megacities** **#Future**

Original post: https://jimcarroll.com/2025/07/decoding-tomorrow-30-megatrends-25-urban-reimagination-beyond-smart-we-are-building-living-cities-integrated-ecosystems-designed-for-a-resilient-equitable-and-profoundly-human-future/

#FotoVorschlag: Gigantisch // Gigantic

#Megacitys wie hier #Shanghai // #Megacities like Shanghai
😵‍💫

#Asien #Asia #megaCity #Metropole #metropolis #city #Großstadt #Stadt #nightShot #nightPhotography #nightLights #cityLights #evening #night #Abend #Nacht #Nachtfotografie #urban #cityscape #streetPhotography #cityAtNight #ShanghaiPhotography #ShanghaiAtNight #China

This high-angle, long-exposure night shot captures the vibrant heart of Shanghai. Towering modern skyscrapers, illuminated with bright white and colourful lights, dominate the cityscape. Streaking lines of light from vehicles on the roads below indicate movement and the bustling nature of the city. A complex network of elevated roads and underpasses is visible, with traffic flowing through them. The overall impression is one of a dynamic and technologically advanced urban environment at night.

The OpenspaceGlobal product is a 1.19 m resolution UOS (urban open space) map of 169 megacities to improve understanding of artificial spatial surfaces #megacities

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41597-025-04924-x

Cairo is collapsing.
23 million people, crumbling infrastructure, and a government that’s… building a $60B city in the desert? 📖 Read the full report → https://www.ryanjhite.com/2025/06/04/cairo-overpopulated-overwhelmed-and-on-the-edge-of-collapse/
#Cairo #Egypt #UrbanCollapse #NewCapital #Megacities #Geopolitics

As #megacities continue to grow, they are becoming sites of ongoing and future climate and #water injustices. Drawing on her research in Dhaka, Bangladesh’s capital, Farhana Sultana examines the #class and #gender dimensions of hydro- and #climate apartheid:
https://berlinergazette.de/the-politics-of-water-climate-injustice-in-megacities-of-the-global-south/

#ClimateChange #ClimateCrisis #WaterSafety

#Megacities such as #Mumbai and #Cairo are so #polluted that they’re warming slower

This surprising effect of #pollution should hardly be taken as a good sign.

https://www.fastcompany.com/91242186/megacities-like-dubai-and-cairo-are-so-polluted-that-theyre-warming-slower

8 Megacities Exceeding 20 Million People

The world’s population keeps growing at a rapid pace, especially in the megacities around the world. More than half of the world’s population already are urban dwellers. As time goes on, even more...(see link for more)

https://bitwyze.org/largest-megacities_worldwide/

#megacities #cities #population #Tokyo #Japan #Delhi #Mumbai #india #Shanghai #China #SaoPaulo #Brazil #MexicoCity #Mexico #Cairo #Egypt #discover #places #travel #UNESCO