The 21st Century

Abstract

21st Century Trends: Urbanization and Disasters We are seeing two distinct but intertwined trends becoming readily evident in the 21st century. The first is urbanization. 2008 marked the first time in history where more people lived in urban centers than outside of them (see Chart 1). 1 Drawn to economic, educational, and social opportunities, the migration towards cities is undeniable and irreversible. According to the United Nation’s (UN) Population Division’s projections, nearly all of the world’s population growth in the next few decades will be in urban areas in low-and middle-income countries. By 2030 this number will swell to almost 5 billion (see Chart 2). Most of this urban growth will be concentrated heavily in Africa and Asia.