Megacities, 6 keys to a sustainable megacity

MEGACITIES Infographic - by Groger Gutiérrez The world's most populous megacities* DELHI SEOUL 25.600,000 Megacities are urban centers inhabited by at least 10 million people, there are currently 28 megacities worldwide, 12 of which exceeded the threshold of 20 million people*. Many of these cities have grown fast and unequal, bringing serious problems such as poverty and pollution. The challenge of megacities is to optimize the space, manage transportation, quality of life, the production of goods and services. 23,700,000 11,800 /Km2 10,600 /Km2 GUANGZHOU 26,400,000 5,600 /Km2 KARACHI TOKYO 22,300.000 26,000 /Km2 34,700,000 4,400 ÍKm2 NEW YORK 21,600,000 1,800 /Km2 SHANGHAI MEXICO CITY 23,600,000 9,800 /Km2 26,000,000 6,200 /Km2 MUMBAI JAKARTA 21,200,000 31,700 /Km2 9,600 /Km2 26,000,000 O Population (Conurbation) MANILA SÃO PAULO 21,400,000 6,500 /Km2 21.900.000 Population density per sq km 14,800 /Km2 KEYS TO A SUSTAINABLE O MEGACITY World's urban/rural population by percentage Optimization of urban space Develop green areas in cities Green belts in and around the cities help cleaning the air and the water, it is as well an efficient use of space. Green belts provide recreation for the inhabitants of the cities and Waste to energy Excess of solid waste that The roofs of buildings and homes can be used to generate electricity with solar panels or creating small crops that help reduce the demand for food. The "green roofs" help reduce the effect of "heat islands" that increases average temperature due to the lack of vegetation in cities cannot recycling plants can be used to generate electricity using the methane expelled by waste due to decompose in landfills. This process also produces a nutri- ent-rich liquid that serves as mulch be processed at 29.4% 70.6% serve as a natural barrier between the urban and rural areas preventing the absorption of the of natural areas by the cities. 43% 57% Use of alternative sources of energy To achieve sustainable growth Mixed public transport system Smart use of resources Consumption in cities is too high and requires a lot of raw material to keep up with the demand so is It is necessary to emphasize on public transport, adding bicycles to road and underground transport, Bycicles provide an economical and clean way of moving across the city, reducing air pollution, noise and improving the health of citizens. of cities we must reduce the use of fossil fuels. Renewable 51.6% 48.4% energies such as wind or solar power have a positive impact on our environment, reducing the emission of greenhouse gases that pollute the air. smart use of necessary a the resources, recycling helps reducing use of raw materials. Efficient electrical appliances helps reduce costs and the energy demand. 67.2% 32.8% "We are in danger of making our cities places where business goes on but where life, in its real sense, is lost." Hubert H. Humphrey (US V.P. 1965-69) By: Groger Gutiérrez [email protected] / @Grangru / www.grogergutierrez.wordpress.com (Buenos Aires - Argentina 2013) Sources http://www.citypopulation.de/world/Agglomerations.html http://demographia.com/db-worldua.pdf www.un.org/esa/population/ http://www.newgeography.com/content/002808-world-urban-areas-population-and-density-a-2012-update http://globalgreencities.com/climate-and-energy/