Mega Cities Challenges Notes

AIR POLLUTION
a) Outline the challenge and explain why it occurs in Mega-Cities of the developing
world
Air pollution is a major challenge that is present in mega-cities of the developing world. Air
pollution is monitored closely in cities in developing countries, mainly due to the fact that
developing countries do not have high levels of health and sanitation to start off with. Urban
air pollution in megacities in the Asian region including Delhi, Jakarta, and Beijing has
worsened as a result of population growth, industrialisation, and increased vehicle use. This
only adds to the already poor living conditions in these developing world mega-cities. One of
the major challenges for developing world mega-cities is to clean up the pollution resulting
from years of uncontrolled, unregulated industrial production.
b) Include 5 current statistics about your challenge
1. 12.6% of the deaths in Jakarta are related to air pollution causes (World Resources
Institute, 1996)
2. Top 7 most air polluted megacities: Mexico City, Beijing, Cairo, Jakarta, Los Angeles, Sao
Paulo, and Moscow. (Most from developing countries)
3. 65% of deaths in eastern Asia and 25% of deaths in India are due to air pollution
4. According to the U.N., about 3.5 million deaths a year are caused by indoor air pollution
while another 3.3 million are caused by outdoor air pollution.
5. Only 1 percent of the Chinas 560 million city dwellers breath air considered safe by
European Union standards according to a World Bank study.
c) Find an article about the challenge
http://www.todayonline.com/world/clouds-suspicion-over-plan-check-delhi-pollution-data
Clouds of suspicion over plan to check Delhi pollution data

- Some experts and activists in New Delhi are questioning the need for checks regarding
pollution data.

- The New Delhi government has been accused of hiding and altering data showing air
pollution to the public. Recent data shows that Delhi has exceeded Beijings pollution data
consistently.

- This is dangerous as it deprives people of the opportunity to protect themselves against bad
air by limiting their time outdoors.

- Industrialisation is a major factor in the cause of air pollution. This is why air pollution in
mega cities is such a large issue.

- An estimated 1.5 million people die annually in India, about one-sixth of all Indian deaths,
as a result of outdoor and indoor air pollution, a problem caused in part by the widespread
use of cow dung as cooking fuel. The country has the worlds highest death rate from
chronic respiratory diseases and more deaths from asthma than any other nation, said the
World Health Organization. Air pollution also contributes to both chronic and acute heart
disease, the leading cause of death in India.
d) One picture properly referenced

Tom Phillips; Shanghais pollution problem had become more and more obvious
Photo taken from
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/10586296/Shanghai-considersarming-residents-with-anti-pollution-masks.html
e) Three questions to be answered about your challenge (can be taken from the
textbook)
1.Why is air pollution such a large problem in mega cities of the developing world?
2.From your own knowledge, what are some strategies that are being used by governments
to minimise air pollution? Do you think that it is effective?
3. How does population affect air pollution in a city?

Crime Rates
a) The challenge is to combat high crime rates that are prevalent in
Megacities.
The crime rate in mega cities was more than twice of the national
average. The highest crime rates of SLL crimes during the years 2012 was
reported from Raipur followed by Agra.
The lack of proper and enough infrastructure and public services, proper
sanitation, housing, education and healthcare to support so much growth
in Mega cities has meant more slums. Urban dwellers are also not happy
and both of these lead to high crime rates occurring.
b) A total of 4 73 922 crimes under the IPC were reported in 53 mega-cities
during the year 2012 as compared to 475,369 crimes in these cities during
the year 2011.
These 53 cities have accounted for 41.9% (64682 out of 1, 54 351 cases)
of the total auto theft cases in the country followed by 28.6% cheating
cases ( 26,935 out of 94,203 cases) and 27.8% counterfeiting cases (654
out of 2,351 cases).
In 2011, there were 12,358 Drug-war related murders in Mexico city, one
of the Worlds Mega Cities. This is the huge increase from 2,119 in 2006 to
2011.

c) http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-0614/news/39976776_1_53-mega-cities-crimes-national-rate

Delhi records highest crimes among mega cities

This article reports the crime rates statistics for different Mega cities in India. Some of the statistics
are about crime and violence against women. The article shows the Indias capital has the worst crime
rates in the country. Some statistic in the articles are:
For every one hour, 2.84 cases of rape were reported in country in which, on an average, 3.55
persons were arrested last year, the report said. A total of 24,923 rape cases were reported in the
country last year, it said.
d) http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/crimes-against-women-shootup/article6170791.ece

e) Q2: Outline the areas where crime rates are the worst.
Q6: Explain how one Mega City in the developing world is dealing with
fixing crime.
Q8: Explain why crime rates in Mega Cities of the developing world
are increasing.

Government Corruption
a) Outline the challenge and explain why it occurs in Mega-Cities of the
developing world
Government corruption is a major issue in many Mega-cities, as it leads to violence,
inequalities and poor living standards. The term it can broadly be defined as the use of
powers by government officials for illegitimate private gain or an illegal act by an
officeholder constitutes political corruption only if the act is directly related to their
official duties, is done under color of law or involves trading in influence.

b) Include 5 current statistics about your challenge

IllicitFinancialFlows,includingcorruption,bribery,theftandtaxevasion,costdevelopingcountriesUS$1.26
trillionperyear,whichisequivalenttotheeconomiesofSwitzerland,SouthAfricaandBelgiumcombined.
Thisamountofmoneycouldliftthe1.4billionpeoplelivingonlessthan$1.25adayabovethisthresholdforat
leastsixyears.
AccordingtotheEUCommissionerforHomeAffairs,anestimated120billionislosttocorruptioneachyear
throughoutthe27EUmemberstates.
AccordingtotheEUCommissionerforHomeAffairs,anestimated120billionislosttocorruptioneachyear
throughoutthe27EUmemberstates.
98%ofcrimesreportedlygounpunishedinMexico,wheredrugrelatedviolencecostthelivesofanestimated
40,000peoplefrom20062011.
CountriesthatscorebadlyontheWorldBanksDoingBusinessIndicatorsalsoscorebadlyontheCorruption
PerceptionsIndex,includingChad,BurundiandtheDemocraticRepublicofCongo,allrankinginthebottom
15countriesonbothtables.Thissuggeststhathighlycorruptcountriesalsohavedifficultyattractingbusiness.

c) Find an article about the challenge

https://au.news.yahoo.com/world/a/26728002/increase-in-antibiotic-resistantinfections-linked-to-government-corruption-study-finds/

d) One picture properly references

TheCorruptionPerceptionsIndex2013(TransparencyInternational)
e) Three questions to be answered about your challenge (can be taken from
the textbook)

What is a corrupt government?

What issues does government corruption cause in mega cities?
What are the effects of these issues?

Pollution/waste disposal
http://www.waste-management-world.com/articles/print/volume-13/issue-2/features/talking-heads-megacities.html

a) Outline the challenge and explain why it occurs in Mega-Cities

of the developing world
In many cities of the developing world, untreated sewage and other wastes are dumped
directly into local waterways.
As a result of population growth and GDP (Gross domestic product) waste quantities are
increasing while different waste streams are constantly appearing.
Due to the character of megacities spatial growth, the land required for waste management
(transfer stations, recycling centres, waste treatment or disposal facilities) are difficult to be
found and acquire time therefore creating a barrier to infrastructure delivery
other issues causing waste disposal:
Lack of dumping sites where to deposit the solid waste.
Inefficient collection methods which is mainly due to lack of funds to provide the necessary
machinery
Poor government attitude towards waste management. From a citizen's point of view, it is
realise that very little money from the government is directed towards waste management,
with most of it going towards industrialisation. This leads to poor purchase of collecting
equipment.
Lack of recycling facilitates in these cities
CHALLENGES
Solid waste constitutes a major source of environmental hazard
Environmental hazard accounts for around 25% of total burden of disease worldwide
Perception and attitude of people and governments towards waste can affect the way it is
managed
uncollected waste is dumped on the land in a more or less uncontrolled manner
The collected waste is often disposed in an uncontrolled dumping site or burnt, which
contributes to water and air pollution.

Most of the waste dumps are located near residential areas, markets, farms, roadsides and
creeks.
Human activity are close to these dumping sites.
Increase threat to public health - uncollected solid wastes are left to decay, and this develops
foul odour.
Uncollected waste left to accumulate or dumped in the streets can block water drains and
channels which can cause flooding, posing significant environmental and public health risks

Ground or surface water pollution can occur when rain water combines with decomposing
waste and seep through permeable soil, finally contaminating surface and ground water with
both lethal materials and pathogenic organisms. his is extremely dangerous as ground water
is the main source of drinking water for most cities

b) Include 5 current statistics about your challenge

Worlds cities produce 1.3 billion tones of MSW (Municipal solid waste)
Estimated urban food waste will increase by 44% from 2005 to 2025
About half sewerage produced in the Cairo metropolitan region is dumped, untreated,
into open drains that empty into the Nile river - same river that is a primary source of
water for irrigation + domestic use.
Less than 35% of cities in developing world have their waste water treated
In countries with economies in transition, 75% of solid wastes are disposed in open
dumps.

c) Find an article about the challenge

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/Improper-biomedical-wastedisposal-poses-risk/articleshow/46590493.cms

d) One picture properly referenced

n/a,Mayaanjali,n/a,Improper disposal of waste-dahravi,
http://mayaanjali.hubpages.com/hub/Dharavi-A-slum-beyond-comparison (Access on
15/03/15)

e) Three questions to be answered about your challenge (can be

taken from the textbook)
Explain the impact of waste disposal that affects the environmental quality in mega-cities.
Explain why mega-cities of the word experience the issue of waste disposal
Describe the scale of the problem of uncollected solid waste in the mega-cities of the
developing world.

Sanitation
f) Outline the challenge and explain why it occurs in Mega-Cities of the
developing world.
Hygiene practices are generally poor in low-income communities, especially in
squatter settlements, which characterise many megacities. Facilities for proper
disposal of human wastes are rarely available and water for household use is
often inconvenient, insufficient, and contaminated. This is evident in many
mega-cities as many people come from rural areas to these cities for work, but a
lot of the time they have trouble getting work and therefore dont have anywhere
to live.

g) Include 5 current statistics about your challenge

In Dhaka and Bangladesh thousands of people die each year from

waterborne diseases.
A survey examined 1405 cities in 12 different States and found that
over 70% of the households in the analysed cities dont have access to
toilets or a sewerage system.
Even in Maharashtra which is one of the richest States in India and
where the megacity of Mumbai is located less than 20 cities of 249
have a sewage treatment works.
Independent India has not been able to improve the situation,
especially for the poor who often are not able to put enough pressure
on governments and demand better living conditions. So the cycle
becomes worse:

Low
Sanitation
and
Hygeine
Not
enough
power to
do
anything
about it

Not
enough
power to
do
anything
about it

Sanitation
gets
worse

Sanitation
gets
worse
Not
enough
power to
do
anything
about it

6,000 children are dying each day from water-borne illnesses that could
be cheaply eradicated is mega-cities.

h) Find an article about the challenge

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2002/mar/23/debtrelief.development

i) One picture properly referenced

Richard Carter, (2010), Dharavi, Asia's biggest slum area, in Mumbai next to an
open sewer. [ONLINE]. Available at: http://phys.org/news/2010-10-megacitiesglobal-health-hurdle-experts.html [Accessed 20 March 15].

j) Three questions to be answered about your challenge (can be taken from

the textbook)
1. Outline the extent to which the mega-cities in the developing world are
failing to provide their inhabitants with access to sanitation services.
2. Explain how the inhabitants of mega-cities in the developing world are at a
disadvantage because of poor sanitation.
3. Describe the scale of the problem of low sanitation and propose a strategy
that the government could use to help solve the problem.

UNEMPLOYMENT:
a) Outline the challenge and explain why it occurs in Mega- Cities of the developing
world
Unemployment occurs when people are without work and are actively seeking work.
Mega cities in the developing world face challenges in order to provide a sufficient
amount of employment opportunities for its population.
Poverty in mega cities has increased due to the rapid increase in trend of moving
from rural to urban areas; resulting in a larger urban population consisting of
structural unemployment due to factors such as lack of education. In addition to this,
developing economies are significantly vulnerable to the volatility of the International
Business cycle (as seen in events such as the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) in 200709 and the Asian crisis of 1997-98).
b) Include 5 current statistics about your challenge

- The (ILO) International Labour Organisation estimates that between 20 and 25

percent of urban adults in developing world mega cities are without work.

- Of all the challenges confronting the megacities, one of the most difficult and
urgent for their stability, and for that the rest of the world, is employment. Today
there are 1.5 billion jobless people in the world.

- One billion more jobs will have to be provided in the next 25 years, a sustainable
proportion of them in mega cities as more and more young people join the labour
market

- Currently only 50 percent of women are working, compared to 77% of men.

- Overall, young people today are three times more likely to be unemployed than
adults
c) Find an article about the challenge
https://www.devex.com/news/ways-out-of-the-global-youth-unemployment-crisis85678
d) One picture referenced

Tradingeconomics.com,. 'Unemployment Rate - Countries - List'. N.p., 2015. Web. 3

May 2015.
e) Three questions to be answered about your challenge (can be taken from the
textbook)
1) Explain why the mega cities in the developing world have severe
unemployment problems
2) Define the term unemployment and identify trends that are occurring in
developing nations
3) Using the stimulus above, highlight which developing nations are facing the
highest level of unemployment

Water
Outline the challenge and explain why it occurs in Mega-cities of the
developing world

Water shortages overexploitation of aquifers

Pollution inadequate access to quality water people are forced
to buy highly-priced waters but people who cant afford this has to
drink the contaminated water and unfortunately people become
very sick and some may die
High water stress due to the rising population demand

Include 5 current statistics about your challenge

Around one-quarter of the 4.8 billion people in developing countries

are without access to improved sources of water, while half of them
are without access to improved sanitation services
Worldwide, 1 out of every 5 deaths of children under 5 is due to a
water-related disease
Worldwide, 1 in 9 people do not have access to safe and clean
drinking water
Less than one in three people in Sub-Saharan Africa have access to
a proper toilet
84% of the people who dont have access to improved water, live in
rural areas, where they live principally through subsistence
agriculture

Find an article about the challenge

http://www.theguardian.com/cities/2015/feb/25/sao-paulo-brazil-failingmegacity-water-crisis-rationing

Residents in Sao Paulo are struggling, as there are water shortages

with millions of people only getting a few hours of water per day,
with many struggling with none at all for days. The water crisis is
accounting for residents to preserve their water with some storing
their water in buckets and other drilling homemade wells.

Photo

Millions
of people in developing countries collect their drinking water from
contaminated water sources
3 questions:
1. Explain why the mega cities of the developing world experience a
shortage of water.
2. Why would a rising population have an effect to the amount of water
supplied in developing countries?
3. What does pollution do to water sources and how does it effect the
people in developing countries?

Health and Nutrition in the Developing

World (See Rose Braga PDF)
Housing (See Betty Holland Pdf)