World's largest cities

Regional trends in population, urbanization, resource availability and scarcity, as well as economic growth and decline are often best observed in the largest cities (urban areas). Typically, large cities are early adopters to regional opportunities for growth and development. The effect of socioeconomic pathways on the regional population distribution of the world’s 101 largest cities in the 21st century is examined in a paper by Daniel Hoornweg and Kevin Pope. City populations are provided for 2010, 2025, 2050, 2075 and 2100. Socioeconomic pathways, with various levels of sustainability and global cooperation are assessed based on their influence on the world’s largest cities. The results of this paper provide valuable insights into the effect of sustainable development on the regional distribution of large urban areas throughout the 21st century. For a visual representation of the cities growing this century, please click here.