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Megacities, the World’s Largest Cities Unleashed: Major Trends and Dynamics in Contemporary Global Urban Development

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  • Zhao, Simon Xiaobin
  • Guo, Natasha Shu
  • Li, Chun Lok Kris
  • Smith, Christopher

Abstract

In this study we ask two basic questions: will the megacity trend continue into the immediate and long-term future and why do more and more people continue to concentrate in the world’s biggest cities? Based on the UN dataset of all cities in the world with population 750,000 and a number of other datasets, and with an innovative application of the Gini-coefficient, this study explores the on-going trends and patterns of contemporary human urban settlement over the past half century, particularly the phenomenal growth of megacities (10 million+) and their powerful “internal” and “external” driving forces.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhao, Simon Xiaobin & Guo, Natasha Shu & Li, Chun Lok Kris & Smith, Christopher, 2017. "Megacities, the World’s Largest Cities Unleashed: Major Trends and Dynamics in Contemporary Global Urban Development," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 98(C), pages 257-289.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:wdevel:v:98:y:2017:i:c:p:257-289
    DOI: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2017.04.038
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    References listed on IDEAS

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