Question

Indeed, along with water and sanitation, the challenges of mobility virtually define the growth of megacities. At the same time, they reveal the profound social and political upheaval the world's transition to city life can create. Cities bring economic growth and the expansion of the middle class. Members of the middle class want to own property - homes and, increasingly, cars.

Answer 1

Urbanization has led to challenges such as traffic congestion and socioeconomic divides, with urban areas in developing countries facing significant growth management issues. While cities offer economies of scale, these can turn into diseconomies when congestion and pollution rise, impacting the future success of urban planning.

Step-by-step explanation:

The growth of megacities and urbanization has resulted in a number of challenges, including traffic congestion, overcrowded schools, racial tensions, and an economic gap between the rich and poor. As urban populations increase, particularly in developing countries, the demand on housing and resources can lead to escalated living costs. Moreover, the necessity of owning a car due to city layouts exacerbates traffic problems and contributes to pollution.

Managing Urban Growth

In the United States, the shift of the population to urban areas is significant, with about 80% living in metropolitan regions. However, in developing regions, such as Africa, just about 30% of the population resides in urban areas, presenting a challenge for managing future urban growth as their economies expand.

Urban Issues and Economic Growth

Urban areas, despite offering economic growth and benefits from economies of scale, also face issues like congestion and pollution that can eventually become diseconomies. The future success of cities, both in developed and developing countries on their ability to mitigate such issues while capitalizing on the economic advantages of urban living.