Jackie Snow, Smart Cities Dive
April 6, 2017
Summary
Almost 4 billion people call cities home today, and by 2050, the United Nations predicts that number will expand to nearly 6.5 billion. Even more staggering figures indicate by 2100, the earth's population could reach 10 billion and cities will hold up to 8 billion people.
These urban areas are also increasingly the drivers of the economy. Today more than 80% of the population in the U.S. resides in large metropolitan areas — up from just over 60% 50 years ago — generating more than 90% of the country's GDP.
City builders and stakeholders see this growth as an opportunity to build smart cities. One UN study estimates over 60% of the urban areas that will exist by 2050 have yet to be built, with huge new infrastructure projects needed, particularly in Asia and Africa. Simultaneously, existing cities worldwide have aging infrastructure that will need work or replacement done to keep up with growth.
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