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Rapid Urbanisation


We live in an urban age. Cities are growing by 1.5 million people per week. Two-thirds of us will be city-dwellers by 2050 – that’s 2.5 billion more than today.

Cities offer economic opportunities and stimulate innovation. Cities also highlight growing inequality and fuel climate change. So, how do we ensure future cities are more sustainable, resilient and inclusive? How do we create cities that do not continue to deplete resources, increase temperatures and contribute to chronic poverty?

What’s the role of smart cities? How can cities work to mitigate and adapt to climate change and disaster risk? And how can societies best manage the impacts of urbanisation?

The Grand Challenge on Rapid Urbanisation tackles the demand for urban solutions, with researchers crossing disciplines to develop new possibilities.

Professor David Sanderson leads the Grand Challenge on Rapid Urbanisation.

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