2.0 Thematic question 2

Thematic Question 2: How Can We Build Sustainable Cities?

Did you know?

By 2030, more than half of the world’s population will live in urban areas, and one in every three people will live in cities with at least half a million inhabitants.

As cities grow, they require large amounts of natural resources and people to build and maintain infrastructure, develop industries, and provide services to meet the needs and demands of their inhabitants.

While these demands exert great pressure on people and the environment, they also offer opportunities for cities to be sustainably built.

Ingenuity is essential in developing solutions that can manage urban growth sustainably without compromising the environment while maintaining a high quality of life for its inhabitants.

Did you know? The population size of Tokyo city alone is more than 6 times that of Singapore's!

But first... Why do people move from one place to another?

Migrants move due to a combination of reasons.

Push factors are reasons that make migrants want to leave their place of origin. Pull factors refer to reasons that attract migrants towards a destination.

Consider these questions as you watch the video:

Which of the reasons mentioned are push factors? Which of the reasons mentioned are pull factors?
What is often the deciding factor when people decide to move? (environment, political stability, economic opportunities, etc.)
What are some key migration patterns? (i.e. which countries/regions are the most popular migrant destinations?)

Let's explore some cities around the world! 🌎

What are some challenges and opportunities as people move into cities?

Read the World Economic Forum article below to discover the challenges facing big cities of the future, and how technology can provide opportunities for cities as they develop!

5 Big Challenges Facing Big Cities of the Future