Selected for the Global Economic Symposium 2011

The United Nations estimate that the number of megacities with a population of more than 10 million will triple from 20 in 2003 to 61 in 2015. In regard to future trends, it is estimated that 93 percent of urban growth will occur in developing nations, with 80 percent of urban growth occurring in Asia and Africa. Mega-urban societies are constantly being challenged by complex problems, leading to the emergence of new and multifaceted social, economic and political organization forms. Even without the anticipated growth, cities are facing problems with the provision of essential services such as accessible and affordable water supply and waste management leading to subsequently risks of negative health and environmental impacts. Consequently, water and waste footprints of cities are enormous, but also inherit a large potential for providing resources through recycling.