CHALLENGES FACING THE WORLD’S CITIES

Some statistical data (www.un.org_2014) Today, 54 per cent of the world’s population lives in urban areas, a proportion that is expected to increase to 66 per cent by 2050. Tokyo remains the world’s largest city with 38 million inhabitants, followed by Delhi with 25 million, Shanghai with 23 million, and Mexico City, Mumbai and São Paulo, each with around 21 million inhabitants.

Why cities? Why do you think are cities attractive for people to live in? What do cities offer people?

KEY WORDS urban areas X rural areas (adj) slum areas squatter settlements urbanization (n) migrate (v) migration (n) economic opportunities (n) developing (adj) developed under-developed countries

overpopulation (n) resident (n): dweller homeless (adj) homelessness (n) shelter (n)

prosperity X poverty (n) being rich X being poor inequality (n) unequal (adj) unemployment (n) unemployed (adj)

Environmental Challenges air pollution (n) respiratory illnesses (adj) heavy traffic (adj) smart growth environmentally smart cities

Target Vocabulary beg (v) to ask for as charity to beg for help s/o’s forgiveness a favor He begged me for help. beggar (n)

bury (v) to place in the ground; cover with earth conceal, cover The treasure was buried on the island.

cemetery (n) burial ground, graveyard a cemetery for unknown or indigent people There was a small cemetery just outside the town.

homeless (adj) displaced The homeless became a problem in the large cities. homelessness (n)

inequality (n) All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others" [George Orwell, Animal Farm] A vicious circle of corruption leads to greater inequality which, in turn, facilitates greater levels of corruption. unequal (adj)

offer (v) to present for acceptance or rejection give, invite to offer a drink a suggestion work He offered to take her home in a taxi.

poverty (n) The state of being poor, having little or no money According to the data provided by the State Institute of Statistics, one fifth of the child population lives below the poverty line in Turkey. (2013)

principle (n) a basic truth, law, or assumption the principles of quantum theory There exist certain fundamental principles of human rights.

respiratory (adj) relating to respiration Upper respiratory infections are contagious and are spread from person to person. respiration (n) the action of inhaling and exhaling, breathing

similar (adj) having qualities in common very much alike Is there a similar proverb in Japan? Your handwriting is similar to mine. similarity (n)

tomb (n) A grave or other place of burial. What is learned in the cradle is carried to the tomb.

unique (adj) being the only one of its kind, distinct, special His paintings were so unique as to require no signature for identification.

victim (n) a person who suffers misfortune victims of war victims of an epidemic victims of poverty ‘You only get to be a victim once. After that, you are a volunteer.’