Human Landscapes: Cities

• Cities are dynamic landscapes.
• Their shape and character experience constant change. Overtime, they respond to a range of economic, political, social and technological changes.
• Sometimes these changes initiate growth (such as urban sprawl), revival (such as gentrification) or decline (such as urban decay).

Cities represent the future of global living. More than half of the world’s population lives in urban areas, a figure expected to rise to 70% by 2050. However, many cities are unprepared for this rapid urbanization. It frequently outpaces the development of housing, infrastructure, and services, leading to a rise in slums and informal settlements.

Achieving sustainable development requires transforming how we build and manage urban spaces. We must focus on inclusive, resilient, and sustainable policies that prioritize access to basic services, affordable housing, efficient transportation, and green spaces for everyone.

Why are cities not future proof yet?

Most urban growth is taking place in small cities and intermediate towns, which often exacerbates inequalities and poverty. Globally, up to 3 billion people struggle to afford a place to live, and 1.16 billion live in slums or informal settlements without basic services. Creating safe, resilient, and sustainable cities requires coordinated investments in affordable housing, climate-resilient infrastructure, and inclusive governance.

What are some of the most pressing challenges cities are facing?

By 2040, more than 2 billion urban residents could face an additional temperature rise of at least 0.5°C, and over a third of the global urban population may endure annual average temperatures of 29°C or higher. Flood risks are also escalating. In 2025, 1 billion people lived in areas prone to severe riverine flooding, with half of them residing in cities.

Inequality, high energy consumption, and pollution present massive hurdles. Cities occupy just 3% of the Earth’s land but account for 60% to 80% of global energy consumption and 75% of carbon emissions. Furthermore, the high concentration of people makes cities highly vulnerable to climate change and natural disasters, making urban resilience vital to avoid devastating human and economic losses.

How does it affect me?

These issues eventually impact every citizen. Inequality can lead to social unrest, while pollution damages everyone’s health, reducing workers’ productivity and harming the economy. Additionally, natural disasters have the power to disrupt everyone’s daily lives. Air pollution is not just a city issue—it actively degrades health in towns and rural areas alike.

What happens if cities are just left to grow organically?

The cost of poorly planned urbanization is clear in the massive slums, tangled traffic, rising greenhouse gas emissions, and sprawling suburbs we see worldwide. By choosing to build sustainably, we choose to create cities where all citizens enjoy a high quality of life, contribute to the local economy, and build shared prosperity without harming the environment.

Is it expensive to put sustainable practices in place?

The cost is minimal compared to the immense benefits. For example, while building a functional public transport network requires an initial investment, the long-term payoffs are massive for economic activity, air quality, transit times, and the overall success of a connected city.

What can I do to help?

You can make a difference by taking an active interest in your city’s governance and advocating for the changes you want to see.

Develop a vision for your building, street, and neighborhood, and work to bring it to life. Consider your community’s access to local jobs, safe sidewalks for children, well-lit areas at night, nearby public transit, clean air, and vibrant shared public spaces. Creating better conditions in your immediate community has a direct, powerful effect on the global quality of urban life.