Urban growth is the increase in the number of people living in urban areas. It is often accompanied by economic growth, but can also occur without it. The United Nations defines an urban area as a settlement with a population of at least 2,500 people.
There are several reasons why cities grow. One is natural population growth: as people are born and live longer, the number of people in cities increases. Another is rural-to-urban migration: as people move from rural areas to cities in search of jobs or a better standard of living, the urban population grows. Finally, cities can also grow through annexation, when they absorb adjacent territory and its inhabitants.
Cities have been growing rapidly in recent years. According to the UN, 54% of the world’s population now lives in urban areas, up from 34% in 1960. The global rate of urbanization – the percentage of people living in urban areas – is currently about 2% per year. This means that every year, another 2% of the world’s population moves to cities. By 2030, it is estimated that 66% of the world’s population will be urban dwellers.
The rapid growth of cities presents challenges for city planners and policymakers. They must find ways to accommodate more people while maintaining or improving standards of living. This often requires investment in infrastructure such as housing, transportation systems, and utilities. It also necessitates good governance and effective management of resources