Definition
A mega city is a metropolitan area with a total population in excess of ten million people. It can be a singular area or two or more metropolitan areas that have converged.
Problems and challenges
There are many problems facing megacities around the world. One of the problems is population issues. In part, this reflects the fact that many developing countries, are seeking to redefine what sustainability means in light of their generally rapid annual growth rates and high population growth. Providing adequate food and water to everyone is another problem. This issue is tied in with the first. As the population grows the need for food and water grows as well. Environmental stresses, including natural disasters, wind, rain and climate, are also a factor along with energy demands, carbon emission and pollution and traffic congestion.
Solutions and Responces
Many things can be done about the problems facing megacities.
Inadequate food and water:
The simple answer to this problem is more food production and more water treatment facilities. This may sound like a very easy task but most of the land suitable for farming is already being used for this exact purpose. One thing hindering this idea is that many people are now fussier about the food that they eat. This means that they may not buy imported food leaving that area of the market weaker.
Environmental Stresses:
There is only so much you can do about this as at the present it is not possible to control the weather. One way to help though is by installing better warning systems. Again there is only so much a warning system can do. It is really up to the community to act but some people don't know the risks of natural disasters and they don't react to the emergency. A way to fix this is to raise awareness of what can actually happen in a natural disaster such as an earthquake or hurricane.
Energy Demands:
As the population grows so does the need for energy. This is a quite easily fixed problem. Renewable energy. This can be wind power from wind turbines or water power from hydro power-plants.
Traffic Congestion:
The solution for traffic congestion is to provide more mass transport. This will also help with carbon emissions.
Carbon Emissions:
The ratio of people to cars is 2:1. This means that one in two people should logically own a car. Think of all the carbon being spewed into the air each day. This can cause global warming. A solution to this problem has already been implemented in some cities and this is to increase mass transport. They do this by building and updating the existing train, bus and tram stations. If this is done everywhere it would majorly decrease the amount of carbon being emitted.
Inadequate food and water:
The simple answer to this problem is more food production and more water treatment facilities. This may sound like a very easy task but most of the land suitable for farming is already being used for this exact purpose. One thing hindering this idea is that many people are now fussier about the food that they eat. This means that they may not buy imported food leaving that area of the market weaker.
Environmental Stresses:
There is only so much you can do about this as at the present it is not possible to control the weather. One way to help though is by installing better warning systems. Again there is only so much a warning system can do. It is really up to the community to act but some people don't know the risks of natural disasters and they don't react to the emergency. A way to fix this is to raise awareness of what can actually happen in a natural disaster such as an earthquake or hurricane.
Energy Demands:
As the population grows so does the need for energy. This is a quite easily fixed problem. Renewable energy. This can be wind power from wind turbines or water power from hydro power-plants.
Traffic Congestion:
The solution for traffic congestion is to provide more mass transport. This will also help with carbon emissions.
Carbon Emissions:
The ratio of people to cars is 2:1. This means that one in two people should logically own a car. Think of all the carbon being spewed into the air each day. This can cause global warming. A solution to this problem has already been implemented in some cities and this is to increase mass transport. They do this by building and updating the existing train, bus and tram stations. If this is done everywhere it would majorly decrease the amount of carbon being emitted.
DistributionOver the years the mega cities distribution pattern has stayed in the same or similar areas and courtiers. That is Europe, America, Asia and Africa. Asia having the biggest growth and the is biggest built up area at the moment. Most megacities are in the Northern Hemisphere. Specifically in Asia and Europe.
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