For the first time in history, the world’s urban population will soon exceed its rural population with about 3 billion out of 6 billion already living in urban areas.
A study has shown that over the next 25 years, over two billion people will add to the growing demand for housing, water supply, sanitation and other urban infrastructure services.
What is critical however, when considering this number is the order of magnitude.
The study details that close to 3 billion people or about 40% of the world’s population by 2030 will need to have housing and basic infrastructure services. This translates into completing 96,150 housing units per day or 4000 per hour.
“In general, governments the world over, have sought to encourage home ownership and have in many cases, provided preferential financing to influence consumer choice.The sad reality however is that today, almost one billion live in slums and squatter settlements.”
The study also shows that if urbanization proceeds apace without the necessary financing and investment for the urban poor, by 2030, it is expected that there will be two billion slum dwellers.
