Sustainable cities: Why we need an infrastructure overhaul

Urbanisation in less economically developed economies is also unfolding at an exponential pace

Led by the industrial revolutions of the 19th and 20th century, urbanisation was traditionally associated with more economically developed countries. Work-hungry individuals sought the income and services such as healthcare and schooling that many cities had to offer.

Since the turn of the century this trend has become truly global. Figures show 55% of the world's population now live in towns and cities, equating to 4.2 billion people, up from 751 million in 1950.  We know from history this process was disorderly, with insufficient housing, transportation and infrastructure in place to endure the swathes of people displacing from rural areas. Even now we need to let the magnitude of this change sink in, as cities from London to Beijing to Dhaka (the world's most densely-populated city) all have to manage this seismic shift.    Urbanisation and risi...