Tokyo is now the biggest city in the world. It has 35 million people. It's much bigger than London, a former
Rural to urban migration is a global trend. In 1900, 10% of the population lived in cities. Today more than 50% of people live in cities.
Megacities create environmental and social problems. Megas occupy 2% of land but use 75% of resources. Various pollution problems linked to sewage, water and wood supplies, etc.
A return to rural living is not really possible. Dividing land for individual self-sufficiency would create new disasters. Cities are actually more efficient for energy production, recycling, and transportation.
Government planners are aware of the problems facing megacities and are planning to fix them. Two main approaches: more recycling and fewer cars. Planners are redesigning cities to integrate work and living and thereby increase use of public transport.
Many cities already have impressive eco-projects. Melbourne. Berlin
Top planning priority is cut car use. Cars require massive networks. People should be able to live close to work and public transportation.
Shanty towns are a possible ecological model for future cities. They’re high-density and pedestrianized. Their residents recycle things from big cities.
Perhaps we can combine the spontaneously-created shanty town model with a carefully planned infrastructure. Cities could retain their advantageous economy of scale. Cities could recycle more efficiently and be more flexible for people to live in.
Entire article Large cities create various ecological problems and challenges, but they also present ecological advantages and possible solutions.