Urbanisation in emerging countries, especially in Africa, presents a myriad of serious challenges. By 2050, urban dwellers will account for more than 68 per cent of humanity, and 95 per cent of future urban growth will occur in developing countries, mainly in Asia and Africa.
In Africa, which is experiencing the highest urban growth rate in the world, the urban population is expected to triple by mid-century, with 1.7 billion urban dwellers by 2050. While urbanisation is linked to growing social and economic opportunities for most of the population, the subsequent impact on the environmental, social and economic balance of the planet could be significant.