Central to this change is the rapid urbanization of the region. Between 1970 and 2017, Asian developing countries grew larger than any other country in terms of population growth and economic growth. population density 3.4% per annum, compared with 2.6% in all developing countries, and 1% in developed countries. This is expected to continue in the coming years, with the region expected to increase its population of over 1 billion by 2050.
Today, Asia Pacific cities are known the world over and Auckland, Osaka, Adelaide, Wellington, Tokyo, Perth, Melbourne, and Brisbane make up 8 of the top 10 producers. 2021 Global Liveability Index and the Economist Intelligence Unit. But in low-income areas on the continent, people are living in the most difficult areas in the world. Mu a Number 2021 Of the 100 cities in the world that are most vulnerable to natural disasters such as pollution, global warming, water shortages, natural disasters, and climate change insecurity, 99 are located in Asia.
Urban dwellers who are most often affected by climate insecurity are from lower economic groups, living in less risky and less densely populated, low-income homes that have no means of coping with climate change and climate control. They may also be deprived of access to facilities such as air conditioning and low income to cope with the effects of natural disasters such as floods.
As cities grow, they can often become more unequal as more and more economic activities push for land prices and pollution, which is detrimental to low-income citizens who are unable to move to better areas. Even compliments can add to the problem. For example, public transportation systems that reduce travel time to downtown areas can also increase road rent, forcing people to earn less money. occupants to evacuate. Asian homes have become unaffordable for many. One review of 211 Asian cities found that house prices are unaffordable for middle-income families. With affordable housing, many urban dwellers live in substandard housing and lack access to safe drinking water.
Although the challenges are great and varied, the region can be strengthened by past and present. Singapore is known as one of the best cities in the world, but it started at a critical juncture, recalls Khoo Teng Chye, former head of the Center for Liveable Cities at the Ministry of National Development (MND) in Singapore.
“In the early 1960’s, [Singapore was] increasing and increasing, and homelessness, slums, and poor, poor people. The Singapore River was an open canal and there was plenty of water. I remember as a child, the taps were dry all day, but in the rainy season, we would overflow. All the urban problems you can think of, we had! Today, our population has tripled, but the city is stable, beautiful, and resilient. ”
Now, progress is being made in Asia Pacific to become more stable, sustainable, and inclusive. Cities are beginning to focus on technical solutions to environmental issues across the region, including strengthening natural resources such as “sponge cities” to reduce flooding and improve air quality, “net zero carbon” new construction and rehabilitation of old buildings. They are highly sensitive to climate change, and devise sustainable travel solutions.
User technology also enables cities to address service delivery opportunities and actively support vulnerable people, including digital signage and geospatial maps that assist citizens in areas without permanent addresses, start-up programs that address urban security issues, and modern health care systems and care for the elderly.