Asia's sprawling megacities – which are driving economic growth – face an uncertain future as rising temperatures, aging populations and unplanned urban development tests their resilience.
Seven of the ten most populous cities in the world are in Asia, with Tokyo, Delhi, Shanghai and Dhaka topping the list. These urban giants, long seen as symbols of opportunity and progress, are now in danger of dragging economies backwards. In a new report, the UN's regional development arm, ESCAP, warns that without urgent and inclusive action, these stresses could widen inequality, overstretch public services, and deepen social and environmental tensions. In response, Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, ESCAP's Executive Secretary, is calling for a new urban model that prioritises equity and resilience. "The road to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development runs through cities and across the entirety of human settlements," she wrote in a foreword to the report, stressing the need for decisive and inclusive action. Source: ESCAP report Ten largest cities in the world in 2024. Download full report Skyrocketing temperatures The climate crisis is pushing many of Asia's cities to their limits. In 2024, record temperatures swept through South and Southeast Asia – from Dhaka and Delhi to Phnom Penh and Manila – straining infrastructure and healthcare systems. The "urban heat island effect", which causes cities to be hotter than surrounding rural areas, is worsening these conditions, especially for the…
Un-Habitat Julius Mwelu, Source, Escap Report, Unicef Zhantu Chakma