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.

The United Nations identified 23 cities as being megacities in 2011.

CAN YOU GUESS THE 23 CITIES?

A megacity is a complex organism and its development is largely a spontaneous process. It is not an entity that can be totally designed.

MEGACITIES ACCORDING TO THE UNITED NATIONS 20111. Tokyo, Japan2. Delhi, India3. Mexico City, Mexico4. New York-Newark, USA5. Shanghai, China6. Sao Paulo, Brazil7. Mumbai (Bombay), India8. Beijing, China9. Dhaka, Bangladesh10. Kolkata (Calcutta), India11. Karachi, Pakistan12. Buenos Aires, Argentina13. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, USA14. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil15. Manila, Philippines16. Moscow, Russian Federation17. Osaka-Kobe, Japan18. Istanbul, Turkey19. Lagos, Nigeria20. Cairo, Egypt21. 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=QZPk2quRmKE&feature=related

ACTIVITY:

Find the megacities on a world map and

identify them.

WORLD MAP

http://www.mapsofworld.com/

WORLD MAP

http://www.mapsofworld.com/

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Answer Key

FYI:

http://www.mapsofworld.com/Great websites for maps – simply click on a country and all the options open.

map of the countrymaps for labeling

assignmentsmaps of the regionmaps showing

longitude/latitudeinformation about the

countryflag

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/MegacitiesandtheDevelopingWorld.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/watch?v=IIv_ROYOSe8&feature=related

(5:13)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYRbRGOaWXw&feature=related

LEGO TOWN PLAN

Lego has a kit for building towns that you could use with your students.

TOKYO, JAPANCurrent population = 36.7

millionEstimated population 2025 =

37.1 million

DELHI, INDIACurrent population = 22.2

millionEstimated population 2025 =

28.6 million

MEXICO CITY, MEXICOCurrent population = 19.5 million

Estimated population 2025 = 20.7 million

NEW YORK CITYCurrent population = 20.4

millionEstimated population 2025 =

20.6 million

SAO PAULO, BRAZILCurrent population = 19.9

millionEstimated population 2025 =

23.7 million

DHAKA, BANGLADESHCurrent population = 14.6

millionEstimated population 2025 =

20.9 million

CALCUTTA, INDIACurrent population = 15.6

millionEstimated population 2025 =

20.1 million

POSITIVES ATTRIBUTES OF MEGACITIES

1. arts and culture atmosphere/events/

opportunities2. educational opportunities3. higher paying jobs/economic

opportunities4.5.6.

INTRODUCTION VIDEO

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MspweP1rxA8

This video is a parody showingLarry King talking to Mr. Longo’sSocial 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 identifyproblems in Dhaka

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MoMifNO4w6s&feature=related

(7:29)

NEGATIVE ATTRIBUTES OF MEGACITIES

(PROBLEMS/CHALLENGES)1. trash pollution2. slums3. traffic congestion4. water pollution5. lack of basic needs – electricity/water6. civil unrest7. housing shortages/homelessness

RIO DE JANEIRO

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzuHNRkqQNY

(3:00)

NEGATIVE ATTRIBUTES OF MEGACITIES(PROBLEMS/CHALLENGES)

1. trash pollution2. slums3. traffic congestion4. water pollution5. lack of basic needs – electricity/water6. civil unrest7. housing shortages/homelessness8. transportation9. political fighting10.lack of basic sanitation11.pollution of beaches and natural resources

LAGOS, NIGERIA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceFQLvNFl1A

(3:06)

NEGATIVE ATTRIBUTES OF MEGACITIES(PROBLEMS/CHALLENGES)

1. trash pollution2. slums3. traffic congestion4. water pollution5. lack of basic needs – electricity/water6. civil unrest7. housing shortages/homelessness8. transportation9. political fighting10.lack of basic sanitation11.pollution of beaches and natural resources12.inadequate infrastructure (roads)13.public transportation

MEXICO CITY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sR4Magthxpc

(4:03)

NEGATIVE ATTRIBUTES OF MEGACITIES(PROBLEMS/CHALLENGES)

1. trash pollution2. slums3. traffic congestion4. water pollution5. lack of basic needs – electricity/water6. civil unrest7. housing shortages/homelessness8. transportation9. political fighting10.lack of basic sanitation11.pollution of beaches and natural resources12.inadequate infrastructure (roads)13.public transportation14.air pollution15.lack of recreation areas 16.health risks/diseases

DID WE MISS ANY?

WHAT ABOUT:

land shortageseconomic dependence on state/ federal governmentsozone and environmental harmsability 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 BECOMEA SMARTER CITY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6NX8Lq7E8E&feature=g-user-u&context=G26d681fUCGXQYbcTJ33aUYCQW1slaYzSZ8MWdO8Orov7pMNNTPfA (2:38)

SEOUL’S CREATIVE SOLUTIONS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U__zc08YpjQ (7:46)

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

FUTURISTIC TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34yooRLLWpY (4:04)

MEGACITY OF THE FUTURE

Cartoon that shows life with Vee

MEGACITIES STUDENT ACTIVITIES – Page 1

http://www.mckinsey.com/tools/Wrappers/Wrapper.aspx?sid={C84CB74F-A3B1-47B1-8265-6252F6D85B68}&pid={4F5BEDB1-6C1F-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/megacities-activity-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/studying-english-with-tuoi-tre-news/vocabulary/crossword-puzzle-vocabulary-from-megacities-article-1.38326 Suggested level: 5th, 6th

WEB QUESTS – Page 1

1. http://zunal.com/webquest.php?w=155961Created 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/megacities/green/index.htmlI 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_quest.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/megacities-move/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.html 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-megacities-dvd/invt/av9875/ Megacities DVD - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0169024/ National Geographic Megacities DVD - http://www.amazon.co.uk/National-Geographic-Nat-Geo-Megacities/dp/B003TFS8TI National Geographic magazine, November 2002 – article on megacities http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=National+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 multi-scenario 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/megacities-move/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 readers2. http://www.newgeography.com/content/002808-world-urban-areas-population-and-density-a-2012-update introduces the top cities and short summary on a few of them3. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/mar/22/un-cities-mega-regions simple straightforward, about megacities and large cities combining4. http://inhabitat.com/china-planning-to-construct-a-mega-city-the-size-of-switzerland/ about China’s megacities5. http://behindthewall.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/02/09/6009034-the-rise-of-asias-megacities?lite about China’s growth and building rate6. http://www.forbes.com/sites/megacities/2011/04/04/the-problem-with-megacities/ Forbes magazine, the problems with megacities7. http://blogs.reuters.com/great-debate-uk/2011/10/31/as-world-population-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 side10. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/lagos-inside-the-ultimate-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 megacities13. http://spectrum.ieee.org/energy/environment/how-not-to-make-a-megacity - negative side of Lagos14. http://spectrum.ieee.org/energy/environment/how-to-build-a-green-city 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-18-million-people-moving Sao Paulo’s massive bus system is discussed in this 3 page article16. http://spectrum.ieee.org/energy/the-smarter-grid/how-to-blackoutproof-a-city Mumbai and its power problems are analyzed in this 3 page article17. http://spectrum.ieee.org/telecom/security/how-to-fight-crime-in-real-time Discusses how New York fights its crime problem18. 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 megacities20. http://www.iadb.org/idbamerica/index.cfm?thisid=1429 The Rebuilding of Brazil’s slums21. 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/SB10001424052702304447804576411673210182348.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 LinksActivitiesWeb QuestsGamesSupplies 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!!