MEGACITIES
Definition of megacity
The definition of a megacity is arbitrary
and has changed over time. In the
ancient world, Rome was considered a
megacity with its one million inhabitants.
The United Nations defines megacities as
cities with 10 million citizens or more.
A megacity is a complex organism and its
development is largely a spontaneous
process. It is not an entity that can be
totally designed.
The United Nations identified 23 cities as
being megacities in 2011.
CAN YOU GUESS THE 23 CITIES?
MEGACITIES ACCORDING TO THE UNITED NATIONS 2011
1. Tokyo, Japan
2. Delhi, India
3. Mexico City, Mexico
4. New York-Newark, USA
5. Shanghai, China
6. Sao Paulo, Brazil
7. Mumbai (Bombay), India
8. Beijing, China
9. Dhaka, Bangladesh
10. Kolkata (Calcutta), India
11. Karachi, Pakistan
12. Buenos Aires, Argentina
13. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, USA
14. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
15. Manila, Philippines
16. Moscow, Russian Federation
17. Osaka-Kobe, Japan
18. Istanbul, Turkey
19. Lagos, Nigeria
20. Cairo, Egypt
21. Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
22. Shenzhen, China
23. Paris, France
INTERESTING FACTS
• In 1800, only 3% of the world's population lived in cities
• By the end of the 20th century, 47% lived in cities
• In 1950, there were 83 cities with populations exceeding one million
• In 2007, this number had risen to 468
• If the trend continues, the world's urban population will double every 38
years
• The UN forecasts that today's urban population of 3.2 billion will rise to
nearly 5 billion by 2030, when three out of five people will live in cities.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megacity
The United Nations predicted that the number of
megacities will grow to 37 by the year 2025!
Here are the predicted new cities that will join the megacity list:
• Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Chongqing, China
• Bangalore, India
• Jakarta, Indonesia
• Medras, India
• Wuhan, China
• Tianjin, China
• Hyderabad, India
• Lima, Peru
• Chicago, USA
• Bogota, Columbia
• Bangkok, Thailand
• Lahore, Pakistan
• London, United Kingdom
Typed list of the
United Nation’s 23 Megacities for 2011
The Megacities Projected for 2025
DOT MAP VIDEO
Each dot represents 1 million people.
Video shows the population growth in
the world since 179 A.D.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZ
Pk2quRmKE&feature=related
ACTIVITY:
Find the megacities on a
world map and identify them.
WORLD MAP
http://www.mapsofworld.com/
Answer Key
WORLD MAP
http://www.mapsofworld.com/
#16
#23
#4
#1
#18
#8
#13
#5
#2
#20
#19
#3
#1
4
#6
#12
#1
1
#
7
#17
#21/22
#
9
#10
#15
FYI:
http://www.mapsofworld.com/
Great websites for maps – simply click
on a country and all the options open.
map of the country
maps for labeling assignments
maps of the region
maps showing longitude/latitude
information about the country
flag
Megacities Map/Population Analysis
This activity has three parts:
Using an internet site, students analyze the population
growth of megacities from the year 2000 to 2025.
Using the same internet location, students analyze maps to
determine the continents the megacities are located on.
Using the same internet location, students will find and
label the megacities on a world map.
Megacities Map/Population Web Quest
Why is the topic of megacities important?
There are three reasons:
• What happens in the megacities is affecting
the rest of the world
• They are the key instruments of social and
economic development; they are indicators of
present and future conditions
• They offer new markets to the rest of the world
http://www.nae.edu/Publications/Bridge/UrbanizationEngineering/Megacities
andtheDevelopingWorld.aspx
Why is this phenomenon happening?
Causes of megacities
• growth in Earth’s population
• gains in agricultural productivity
• economic opportunities are greater
In summary, megacities attract those who are
seeking a better life -- a higher standard of
living, better jobs, fewer hardships, and better
education.
ACTIVITY:
Each group will create and build a
megacity using Lego building blocks.
MUSIC AND VIDEOS
TO BUILD
MEGACITIES BY
http://www.youtube.com/watc
h?v=IIv_ROYOSe8&feature=rel
ated (5:13)
LEGO TOWN PLAN
Lego has a kit for building towns
that you could use with your
students.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYRb
RGOaWXw&feature=related
TOKYO, JAPAN
Current population = 36.7 million
Estimated population 2025 = 37.1 million
DELHI, INDIA
Current population = 22.2 million
Estimated population 2025 = 28.6 million
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO
Current population = 19.5 million
Estimated population 2025 = 20.7 million
NEW YORK CITY
Current population = 20.4 million
Estimated population 2025 = 20.6 million
SAO PAULO, BRAZIL
Current population = 19.9 million
Estimated population 2025 = 23.7 million
DHAKA, BANGLADESH
Current population = 14.6 million
Estimated population 2025 = 20.9 million
CALCUTTA, INDIA
Current population = 15.6 million
Estimated population 2025 = 20.1 million
POSITIVES ATTRIBUTES OF
MEGACITIES
1. arts and culture atmosphere/events/
opportunities
2. educational opportunities
3. higher paying jobs/economic opportunities
4.
5.
6.
INTRODUCTION VIDEO
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=MspweP1rxA8
This video is a parody showing
Larry King talking to Mr. Longo’s
Social Studies class.
NEGATIVE ATTRIBUTES OF MEGACITIES
(PROBLEMS/CHALLENGES)
These will become obvious as we watch videos
about problems in megacities. Get your pen
ready . . .
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
DHAKA
Look and listen to identify
problems in Dhaka
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
MoMifNO4w6s&feature=related
(7:29)
NEGATIVE ATTRIBUTES OF MEGACITIES
(PROBLEMS/CHALLENGES)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
trash pollution
slums
traffic congestion
water pollution
lack of basic needs – electricity/water
civil unrest
housing shortages/homelessness
RIO DE JANEIRO
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Izu
HNRkqQNY (3:00)
NEGATIVE ATTRIBUTES OF MEGACITIES
(PROBLEMS/CHALLENGES)
1. trash pollution
2. slums
3. traffic congestion
4. water pollution
5. lack of basic needs – electricity/water
6. civil unrest
7. housing shortages/homelessness
8. transportation
9. political fighting
10. lack of basic sanitation
11. pollution of beaches and natural resources
LAGOS, NIGERIA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceFQ
LvNFl1A (3:06)
NEGATIVE ATTRIBUTES OF MEGACITIES
(PROBLEMS/CHALLENGES)
1. trash pollution
2. slums
3. traffic congestion
4. water pollution
5. lack of basic needs – electricity/water
6. civil unrest
7. housing shortages/homelessness
8. transportation
9. political fighting
10. lack of basic sanitation
11. pollution of beaches and natural resources
12. inadequate infrastructure (roads)
13. public transportation
MEXICO CITY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s
R4Magthxpc (4:03)
NEGATIVE ATTRIBUTES OF MEGACITIES
(PROBLEMS/CHALLENGES)
1. trash pollution
2. slums
3. traffic congestion
4. water pollution
5. lack of basic needs – electricity/water
6. civil unrest
7. housing shortages/homelessness
8. transportation
9. political fighting
10. lack of basic sanitation
11. pollution of beaches and natural resources
12. inadequate infrastructure (roads)
13. public transportation
14. air pollution
15. lack of recreation areas
16. health risks/diseases
DID WE MISS ANY?
WHAT ABOUT:
land shortages
economic dependence on state/
federal governments
ozone and environmental harms
ability to react to natural disasters
...
SOLUTIONS
Many solution ideas can be found in the
National Geographic megacities series.
You will also find solution ideas discussed
when the problems were discussed in the
videos and articles.
Let’s watch a few videos that discuss
solutions specifically.
IBM HELPS RIO BECOME
A SMARTER CITY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=t6NX8Lq7E8E&feature=g-useru&context=G26d681fUCGXQYbcTJ
33aUYCQW1slaYzSZ8MWdO8Orov
7pMNNTPfA (2:38)
SEOUL’S CREATIVE SOLUTIONS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=U__zc08YpjQ (7:46)
FUTURISTIC TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS
http://www.forumforthefuture.org/project/
megacities-move/overview (4:48)
Go to: First top video on the left, right
under project videos. Unfortunately, the
other videos don’t work.
Future Trends of Transportation
MEGACITY OF THE FUTURE
Cartoon that shows life with Vee
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34yo
oRLLWpY (4:04)
MEGACITIES STUDENT ACTIVITIES – Page 1
http://www.mckinsey.com/tools/Wrappers/Wrapper.aspx?sid={C8
4CB74F-A3B1-47B1-8265-6252F6D85B68}&pid={4F5BEDB16C1F-4243-A052-83ADBABE82DF} Interactive globe that students
can turn and see the cities’ population; completely different
perspective than the typical flat, one dimensional maps.
Suggestions: Let students explore and create a list of the largest
megacities based on the information provided.
2. http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/bigcities.htm - Lists the
top most populated cities in the world (most coincide with the UN
list of megacities). This website shows a picture of the cities’
skyline. With just a click, you can go to Google Earth to see an
aerial view. With another click, you can go to the city’s official
website that contains lots of information and pictures of the city.
Suggestion: This would be a great filler if you have a few minutes
left after a web quest or internet activity.
MEGACITIES STUDENT ACTIVITIES – Page 2
3. http://www.dkquiz.com/index.php/quizzes/play/megacities
Multiple choice questions about megacities. Even though it says
easy, you are going to have to know your stuff! Suggestion: This
could be used after studying megacities for a few weeks.
4. http://www.city-infos.com/list-of-megacities-2011/ List of
megacities as of 2011. Links to each city’s statistics.
5. http://www.jenniferarias.org/2/post/2012/03/megacitiesactivity-due-monday-april-2.html Thanks to Mrs. Arias for
posting her megacity geography assignment. This website has
links that list the top megacities. It has a great world map that
can be downloaded. Great cross-curricular assignment!
MEGACITIES STUDENT ACTIVITIES – PAGE 3
6. http://www.megacities.uni-koeln.de/documentation/ Megacity Task Force map with megacities marked and links for
information about each megacity. Suggestions: Megacities
Map Analysis Part A (determining the change in population
from 2000 to 2025 and ranking, Part B (determining
continents), Part C (mapping each megacity).
7. http://www.purposegames.com/game/megacities-quiz interactive game where students find the megacities on a
map; perfect follow up for any of the map assignments!
MEGACITIES STUDENT ACTIVITIES – PAGE 4
8. Part 1:
http://tuoitrenews.vn/cmlink/tuoitrenews/education/studying
-english-with-tuoi-tre-news/articles/megacities-1.35688 A
short reading about Megacities with reading hints, a
vocabulary list and definitions, and other English questions.
Part 2: Follow this reading with this vocabulary crossword
puzzle:
http://www.tuoitrenews.vn/cmlink/tuoitrenews/education/stu
dying-english-with-tuoi-tre-news/vocabulary/crossword-puzzlevocabulary-from-megacities-article-1.38326
Suggested level: 5th, 6th
WEB QUESTS – Page 1
1. http://zunal.com/webquest.php?w=155961
Created by our own Jennilea Campbell! Has links to websites
and uses the six step process to analyze the readings and
ends with an online game!
2.
http://faculty.chemeketa.edu/tvanslyk/classes/d1r/megacitie
s/green/index.html
I found this one on the internet. It starts with an elementary
reading passage with an interesting drop down vocabulary
exercise. Next, it has an assignment where a group
researches a megacity (Lagos, Mexico City, Dhaka, Mumbai,
Jakarta or Sao Paulo). It has hints on how to research,
evaluation rubrics, and many links to the megacities listed.
Great for 5th and 6th graders.
WEB QUESTS – Page 2
3.http://hrsbstaff.ednet.ns.ca/rwilkins/urbanization_web_q
uest.htm Found on internet. Urbanization web quest
4. http://advantronsample2.com/default.asp Website
discusses problems and solutions that are shared with
megacities. Web quest forms were created.
Mega-Cities Project Transfers Web Quest
5.http://www.forumforthefuture.org/project/megacitiesmove/overview Forum for the future discusses future
modes of transportation. Web quest worksheets were
created. (Mentioned earlier under solutions.)
Future Trends of Transportation Web Quest
MEGACITIES WEB QUEST
RESEARCH PROJECT
Go to:
Megacities Web Quest Research
Project
(This link contains innumerable
videos and articles broken into
Megacity categories.)
GAMES
1.
http://www.freeflashgameonline.com/megacity.ht
ml Megacity - building a city free online game –
Please preview before using
2.
http://cs.r2games.com/sign_up.php Megacity building a city – Please preview before using
HELPFUL SUPPLIES AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE
Andrew Marr’s Megacities DVD http://www.bbcshop.com/documentary-dvds/andrew-marrs-megacitiesdvd/invt/av9875/
Megacities DVD - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0169024/
National Geographic Megacities DVD http://www.amazon.co.uk/National-Geographic-Nat-GeoMegacities/dp/B003TFS8TI
National Geographic magazine, November 2002 – article on megacities
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=Na
tional+Geographic+magazine+November+2002+&_sacat=267
http://spice.stanford.edu/catalog/megacities_in_the_asiapacific_region
_focusing_on_their_environmental_impact/ - Analyzes problems in
each of the megacities. Target group: high school students.
FUTURISTIC VIEW OF MEGACITIES AND THE WORLD AND INVENTIONS
Page 1
1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34yooRLLWpY
Megacities on the move – Communicity 4:04 - Cartoon
Life of Vee in the future megacity.
2.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0CUa9ldnt0&feature
=topics – 3:59 - Cartoon Life of Vee in a future city full of
futuristic ideas. Suggestion: have students write down all
the futuristic ideas that are presented in this video and
then have a class discussion.
3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U__zc08YpjQ
Global 3000 Megacity Seoul 7:46 – futuristic apartments
are here!
FUTURISTIC VIEW OF MEGACITIES AND THE WORLD AND INVENTIONS
Page 2
4. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hzax5li9tb4 World
Expo Shanghai: Drive to 2030 – 3:12 – shows GM’s
future cars and ways to solve transportation problems
5. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXYzqEjx6I8 The
World in 2050: Megacities – 1:05 - This is a multiscenario series that gives one view of what the world will
be like in 2050. This section is about megacities, but if
you are studying the future, the other scenarios would
round out the topic.
FUTURISTIC VIEW OF MEGACITIES AND THE WORLD AND INVENTIONS
Page 3
6. http://www.forumforthefuture.org/project/megacitiesmove/overview - Megacities on the move 4:48 Video of
various futuristic transportation options. Kids will love it!
Go to: First top video on the left, right under project
videos. Unfortunately, the other videos don’t work.
Future Trends of Transportation
MEGACITIES ARTICLES – Page 1
1. http://megacities.usc.edu/assets/002/62519.pdf USC workshop
on megacities – discusses problems in six areas – higher level readers
2. http://www.newgeography.com/content/002808-world-urban-areaspopulation-and-density-a-2012-update introduces the top cities and
short summary on a few of them
3. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/mar/22/un-cities-megaregions simple straightforward, about megacities and large cities
combining
4. http://inhabitat.com/china-planning-to-construct-a-mega-city-the-sizeof-switzerland/ about China’s megacities
5.
http://behindthewall.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/02/09/6009034the-rise-of-asias-megacities?lite about China’s growth and building rate
6. http://www.forbes.com/sites/megacities/2011/04/04/the-problemwith-megacities/ Forbes magazine, the problems with megacities
7. http://blogs.reuters.com/great-debate-uk/2011/10/31/as-worldpopulation-hits-7-billion-megacities-pose-growing-risks/ - Reuters looks
at the problems megacities face
MEGACITIES ARTICLES – Page 2
8. http://www.uctc.net/access/37/access37_megacities_traffic.pdf
Five page article that discusses traffic congestion and megacities.
9. http://www.citymayors.com/society/megacities_mumbai.html
Discusses slums in the megacities – Lots of links to other articles on the
left hand side
10. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/lagos-inside-theultimate-megacity-1945246.html A longer article, but has personal
insights into living in Lagos.
11. http://www.mexicocityexperience.com/green_living/#container
Discusses the things that Mexico City has done to improve its
environmental problems. Also has a short video (2:50)
12. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6989473.stm China and
the future of megacities
13. http://spectrum.ieee.org/energy/environment/how-not-to-make-amegacity - negative side of Lagos
14. http://spectrum.ieee.org/energy/environment/how-to-build-a-greencity Shanghai builds a green city – 3-4 page article
MEGACITIES ARTICLES – Page 3
15. http://spectrum.ieee.org/green-tech/mass-transit/how-to-keep-18million-people-moving Sao Paulo’s massive bus system is discussed in
this 3 page article
16. http://spectrum.ieee.org/energy/the-smarter-grid/how-toblackoutproof-a-city Mumbai and its power problems are analyzed in
this 3 page article
17. http://spectrum.ieee.org/telecom/security/how-to-fight-crime-inreal-time Discusses how New York fights its crime problem
18. http://www.iadb.org/idbamerica/index.cfm?thisid=2429&lanid=1
Brazil’s problem with street children and orphans
19. http://www.iadb.org/idbamerica/index.cfm?thisid=2977&lanid=1
How Brazil is helping the children of the megacities
20. http://www.iadb.org/idbamerica/index.cfm?thisid=1429 The
Rebuilding of Brazil’s slums
21. http://web.idrc.ca/en/ev-5145-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html Brazil is
recycling tires to help the environment
MEGACITIES ARTICLES – Page 4
22. http://yearofplanetearth.org/content/downloads/Megacities.pdf Targeted toward high school students. I included it because of the
Space Invasion section on p. 10. It was the only article I found that
discusses what happens when megacities run out of space.
23.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304447804576411
673210182348.html# High Speed Train Links Beijing-Shanghai
(couldn’t get videos to open, but article shows a solution to
transportation problems).
24. http://www.viewsoftheworld.net/?p=1590 - overview or intro to
megacities
RESOURCES
1. FPS Power Point Links
Activities
Web Quests
Games
Supplies to Purchase
2. Megacity Videos and Articles
3. Megacity Readings
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXrJdOD5syo&feature
=related
Problems give humans the
opportunities to challenge themselves
intellectually, emotionally, and physically.
I hope you are as confident as I am that
humans will join together to solve the
problems that megacities face so that
everyone’s world is a
BEAUTIFUL DAY!!