An excerpt from the full article in National Geographic, this article gives a good summary of the topic and lists the megacities of today and those that most likely will become megacities in the future. Appropriate for any age group.
This is the Megacities Foundation website. It has several articles embedded within it that cover challenges and future issues of megacities. There is MUCH information here that is very useful. Some of the vocabulary is quite high level. Most appropriate for upper grades.
How the rise of Megacity is changing the Way We Live.
This is an in-depth look at the megacities of today and how they are expected to change. This site includes a GREAT graphic chart that would be a useful tool for discussion and display in the classroom. This article also examines the potential lesser-known megacities in Asia that are on the rise.
The rapid increase in the number of cities home to more than 10 million people will bring huge challenges … and opportunities. As more than half of China’s population is living in the cities, city planners from China and other Megacities are coming up with ways to provide for the basic needs of its citizens.
Risk sensitive Land Use Planning
This article is appropriate for all divisions. Juniors will need teacher guidance, as some vocabulary is advanced. The article describes the mission of EMI (Earthquakes and Megacities Initiative). It sets forth the goals of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Disaster Risk Management (DRM). EMI is a scientific organization partnered with the United Nations and attempts to help megacities around the world plan for and minimize risks caused by earthquakes. This research could spark ideas for solutions in step 3.
This article is appropriate for all divisions. There are links to other articles at the bottom of the page. The article looks at the megacity Rio de Janeiro, where the Rio+20 conference was held in June 2012. Health and infrastructure problems plague the city. Children of squatter settlements have nowhere safe to play. The article goes on to describe the UN sponsored conference and its goals.
Appropriate for all divisions.
This article describes the concepts behind the New Urbanism movement. Building community and sustainability are main priorities. CAN stands for Congress for New Urbanism. This could be a springboard for solutions for many challenges related to megacities. The brief video “Built to Last” toward the end of the article is also very good.
BBC correspondent Andrew Marr looks at how people live in five megacities around the world and how life in cities is changing. The video clip I approximately 4 minutes long and appropriate for all age groups.
Excellent article from Forbes magazine that examines the challenges we face with megacities both now and in the future. The challenges with slums and population issues as well as other issues with overpopulation in the huge cities. Appropriate for all age groups.
How China’s Megacities have avoided Problems of Other Developing Cities
This article takes a really good look at the major issues and challenges of megacities, with an analysis of how China has avoided some of the issues other megacities face. China has five major megacities and is probably going to have more within the next two decades. Super article for finding challenges and solutions. Appropriate for any age group.
Interesting article by BMW about the new BMW designed specifically for use in a megacity. Although the article is more about the car and its features, this article would be good to use as an example to discuss possible new inventions or innovations designed specifically for the future in megacities. The article has many photos and refers often to concepts and features that would make it an appropriate vehicle for driving in a megacity.
In this century of uncertainty, the non predictable risks affect mostly complex systems as those generated by
megacities. This article discusses some of the challenges that need to be addressed.
Megacities and Waste Management: A Global Challenge
Waste management is of particular importance for megacities - to use urban waste in the most resource and energy efficient manner possible. This site discusses different alternative
Megacities on the Move: Scenarios for the Future of Sustainable Urban Mobility
The report responds to major trends of urbanization and population growth: By 2040 two in three people will live in cities, and the world’s urban population will grow from 3.5 billion to 5.6 billion. The number of “megacities” – urban areas with more than 10 million people – will also continue to explode, mainly in Asia, Latin America and Africa. This article discusses solutions and alternate scenarios to the challenges that may occur in future Megacities.
While mega-cities offer opportunities for an improved quality of life for residents and economic growth for countries, they simultaneously present massive urban management challenges. This article discusses some of the challenges that mega-cities may face.
This is an interesting article that compares the Megacity of Hong Kong to an archipelago of islands because there are many political systems and cultures within in it.
Health Pollution and Traffic Conditions in Megacities
This lengthy but informative article that looks specifically at health issues in megacities caused by pollution and other factors. It includes good statistics that might be used to teach how to infuse research into the booklet. Appropriate for all age groups.
Megacities Research!
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What is future problem solving?
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Step One - Identifying Challenges
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Step Two - Select an Underlying Problem
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Step Three - Solutions
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Steps Four and Five - Evaluating Solutions
Download Filesteps_4_and_5_08.ppt
