1. MEGACITIES

2. Definition of megacity
The definition of a megacity is arbitrary and has changed over time. In the ancient world, Rome was considered a megacity with its one million inhabitants.

3. CAN YOU GUESS THE 23 CITIES?
The United Nations defines megacities as cities with 10 million citizens or more.
A megacity is a complex organism and its development is largely a spontaneous process. It is not an entity that can be totally designed.
The United Nations identified 23 cities as being megacities in 2011.
CAN YOU GUESS THE 23 CITIES?

4. MEGACITIES ACCORDING TO THE UNITED NATIONS 2011
1. Tokyo, Japan
2. Delhi, India
3. Mexico City, Mexico
4. New York-Newark, USA
5. Shanghai, China
6. Sao Paulo, Brazil
7. Mumbai (Bombay), India
8. Beijing, China
9. Dhaka, Bangladesh
10. Kolkata (Calcutta), India
11. Karachi, Pakistan
12. Buenos Aires, Argentina
13. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, USA
14. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
15. Manila, Philippines
16. Moscow, Russian Federation
17. Osaka-Kobe, Japan
18. Istanbul, Turkey
19. Lagos, Nigeria
20. Cairo, Egypt
21. Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
22. Shenzhen, China
23. Paris, France

5. INTERESTING FACTS
In 1800, only 3% of the world's population lived in cities
By the end of the 20th century, 47% lived in cities
In 1950, there were 83 cities with populations exceeding one million
In 2007, this number had risen to 468
If the trend continues, the world's urban population will double every 38 years
The UN forecasts that today's urban population of 3.2 billion will rise to nearly 5 billion by 2030, when three out of five people will live in cities.

6. The United Nations predicted that the number of
megacities will grow to 37 by the year 2025!
Here are the predicted new cities that will join the megacity list:
Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Chongqing, China
Bangalore, India
Jakarta, Indonesia
Medras, India
Wuhan, China
Tianjin, China
Hyderabad, India
Lima, Peru
Chicago, USA
Bogota, Columbia
Bangkok, Thailand
Lahore, Pakistan
London, United Kingdom

7. Typed list of the
United Nation’s 23 Megacities for 2011 The Megacities Projected for 2025

8. DOT MAP VIDEO
Each dot represents 1 million people. Video shows the population growth in the world since 179 A.D.

9. Find the megacities on a world map and identify them.
ACTIVITY:
Find the megacities on a world map and identify them.

10. WORLD MAP

11. WORLD MAP http://www.mapsofworld.com/ Answer Key #16 #23 #4 #1 #18 #8
#13 #5 #2
#17
#20
#19
#11
#21/22 #3 #9 #7
#10
#15
#14 #6
#12

12. FYI:
Great websites for maps – simply click on a country and all the options open.
map of the country
maps for labeling assignments
maps of the region
maps showing longitude/latitude
information about the country
flag

13. Megacities Map/Population Analysis
This activity has three parts:
Using an internet site, students analyze the population growth of megacities from the year 2000 to 2025.
Using the same internet location, students analyze maps to determine the continents the megacities are located on.
Using the same internet location, students will find and label the megacities on a world map.
Megacities Map/Population Web Quest

14. Why is the topic of megacities important? There are three reasons:
What happens in the megacities is affecting the rest of the world
They are the key instruments of social and economic development; they are indicators of present and future conditions
They offer new markets to the rest of the world

15. Why is this phenomenon happening?
Causes of megacities
growth in Earth’s population
gains in agricultural productivity
economic opportunities are greater
In summary, megacities attract those who are seeking a better life -- a higher standard of living, better jobs, fewer hardships, and better education.

16. ACTIVITY:
Each group will create and build a megacity using Lego building blocks.

17. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIv_ROYOSe8&feature=related (5:13)
MUSIC AND VIDEOS
TO BUILD
MEGACITIES BY
(5:13)

18. LEGO TOWN PLAN
Lego has a kit for building towns that you could use with your students.

19. Current population = 36.7 million
TOKYO, JAPAN
Current population = 36.7 million
Estimated population 2025 = 37.1 million

20. Current population = 22.2 million
DELHI, INDIA
Current population = 22.2 million
Estimated population 2025 = 28.6 million

21. Current population = 19.5 million
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO
Current population = 19.5 million
Estimated population 2025 = 20.7 million

22. Current population = 20.4 million
NEW YORK CITY
Current population = million
Estimated population 2025 = 20.6 million

23. Current population = 19.9 million
SAO PAULO, BRAZIL
Current population = million
Estimated population 2025 = 23.7 million

24. Current population = 14.6 million
DHAKA, BANGLADESH
Current population = million
Estimated population 2025 = 20.9 million

25. Current population = 15.6 million
CALCUTTA, INDIA
Current population = million
Estimated population 2025 = 20.1 million

26. POSITIVES ATTRIBUTES OF MEGACITIES
1. arts and culture atmosphere/events/
opportunities
educational opportunities
higher paying jobs/economic opportunities 4. 5. 6.

28. INTRODUCTION VIDEO
This video is a parody showing
Larry King talking to Mr. Longo’s
Social Studies class.

29. NEGATIVE ATTRIBUTES OF MEGACITIES (PROBLEMS/CHALLENGES)
These will become obvious as we watch videos about problems in megacities. Get your pen ready . . . 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

30. Look and listen to identify
DHAKA
Look and listen to identify
problems in Dhaka
(7:29)

31. NEGATIVE ATTRIBUTES OF MEGACITIES (PROBLEMS/CHALLENGES)
1. trash pollution
2. slums
3. traffic congestion
4. water pollution
5. lack of basic needs – electricity/water
6. civil unrest
7. housing shortages/homelessness

32. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzuHNRkqQNY (3:00)
RIO DE JANEIRO
(3:00)

33. NEGATIVE ATTRIBUTES OF MEGACITIES (PROBLEMS/CHALLENGES)
1. trash pollution
2. slums
3. traffic congestion
4. water pollution
5. lack of basic needs – electricity/water
6. civil unrest
7. housing shortages/homelessness
8. transportation
political fighting
lack of basic sanitation
pollution of beaches and natural resources

34. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceFQLvNFl1A (3:06)
LAGOS, NIGERIA
(3:06)

35. NEGATIVE ATTRIBUTES OF MEGACITIES (PROBLEMS/CHALLENGES)
1. trash pollution
2. slums
3. traffic congestion
4. water pollution
5. lack of basic needs – electricity/water
6. civil unrest
7. housing shortages/homelessness
8. transportation
political fighting
lack of basic sanitation
pollution of beaches and natural resources
inadequate infrastructure (roads)
public transportation

36. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sR4Magthxpc (4:03)
MEXICO CITY
(4:03)

37. NEGATIVE ATTRIBUTES OF MEGACITIES (PROBLEMS/CHALLENGES)
1. trash pollution
2. slums
3. traffic congestion
4. water pollution
5. lack of basic needs – electricity/water
6. civil unrest
7. housing shortages/homelessness
8. transportation
political fighting
lack of basic sanitation
pollution of beaches and natural resources
inadequate infrastructure (roads)
public transportation
air pollution
lack of recreation areas
health risks/diseases

38. DID WE MISS ANY?
WHAT ABOUT:
land shortages
economic dependence on state/
federal governments
ozone and environmental harms
ability to react to natural disasters
. . .

40. SOLUTIONS
Many solution ideas can be found in the National Geographic megacities series. You will also find solution ideas discussed when the problems were discussed in the videos and articles.
Let’s watch a few videos that discuss solutions specifically.

41. IBM HELPS RIO BECOME
A SMARTER CITY
(2:38)

42. SEOUL’S CREATIVE SOLUTIONS
(7:46)

43. FUTURISTIC TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS
(4:48)
Go to: First top video on the left, right under project videos. Unfortunately, the other videos don’t work.
Future Trends of Transportation

44. Cartoon that shows life with Vee
MEGACITY OF THE FUTURE
Cartoon that shows life with Vee
(4:04)

45. MEGACITIES STUDENT ACTIVITIES – Page 1
Interactive globe that students can turn and see the cities’ population; completely different perspective than the typical flat, one dimensional maps. Suggestions: Let students explore and create a list of the largest megacities based on the information provided.
Lists the top most populated cities in the world (most coincide with the UN list of megacities). This website shows a picture of the cities’ skyline. With just a click, you can go to Google Earth to see an aerial view. With another click, you can go to the city’s official website that contains lots of information and pictures of the city. Suggestion: This would be a great filler if you have a few minutes left after a web quest or internet activity.

46. MEGACITIES STUDENT ACTIVITIES – Page 2
3. Multiple choice questions about megacities. Even though it says easy, you are going to have to know your stuff! Suggestion: This could be used after studying megacities for a few weeks.
4. List of megacities as of Links to each city’s statistics.
Thanks to Mrs. Arias for posting her megacity geography assignment. This website has links that list the top megacities. It has a great world map that can be downloaded. Great cross-curricular assignment!

47. MEGACITIES STUDENT ACTIVITIES – PAGE 3
Megacity Task Force map with megacities marked and links for information about each megacity. Suggestions: Megacities Map Analysis Part A (determining the change in population from 2000 to 2025 and ranking, Part B (determining continents), Part C (mapping each megacity).
interactive game where students find the megacities on a map; perfect follow up for any of the map assignments!

48. MEGACITIES STUDENT ACTIVITIES – PAGE 4
8. Part 1: A short reading about Megacities with reading hints, a vocabulary list and definitions, and other English questions.
Part 2: Follow this reading with this vocabulary crossword puzzle:
Suggested level: 5th, 6th

49. WEB QUESTS – Page 1
Created by our own Jennilea Campbell! Has links to websites and uses the six step process to analyze the readings and ends with an online game! 2.
I found this one on the internet. It starts with an elementary reading passage with an interesting drop down vocabulary exercise. Next, it has an assignment where a group researches a megacity (Lagos, Mexico City, Dhaka, Mumbai, Jakarta or Sao Paulo). It has hints on how to research, evaluation rubrics, and many links to the megacities listed. Great for 5th and 6th graders.

50. Mega-Cities Project Transfers Web Quest
WEB QUESTS – Page 2
3. Found on internet. Urbanization web quest
4. Website discusses problems and solutions that are shared with megacities. Web quest forms were created.
Mega-Cities Project Transfers Web Quest
5. Forum for the future discusses future modes of transportation. Web quest worksheets were created. (Mentioned earlier under solutions.)
Future Trends of Transportation Web Quest

51. MEGACITIES WEB QUEST
RESEARCH PROJECT
Go to:
Megacities Web Quest Research Project
(This link contains innumerable videos and articles broken into Megacity categories.)

52. GAMES 1.
Megacity - building a city free online game – Please preview before using 2.
Megacity - building a city – Please preview before using

53. HELPFUL SUPPLIES AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE
Andrew Marr’s Megacities DVD -
Megacities DVD -
National Geographic Megacities DVD -
National Geographic magazine, November 2002 – article on megacities
- Analyzes problems in each of the megacities. Target group: high school students.

54. FUTURISTIC VIEW OF MEGACITIES AND THE WORLD AND INVENTIONS
Page 1
Megacities on the move – Communicity 4:04 - Cartoon Life of Vee in the future megacity.
2. – 3:59 - Cartoon Life of Vee in a future city full of futuristic ideas. Suggestion: have students write down all the futuristic ideas that are presented in this video and then have a class discussion.
3. Global 3000 Megacity Seoul 7:46 – futuristic apartments are here!

55. FUTURISTIC VIEW OF MEGACITIES AND THE WORLD AND INVENTIONS
Page 2
World Expo Shanghai: Drive to 2030 – 3:12 – shows GM’s future cars and ways to solve transportation problems
The World in 2050: Megacities – 1:05 - This is a multi-scenario series that gives one view of what the world will be like in This section is about megacities, but if you are studying the future, the other scenarios would round out the topic.

56. Future Trends of Transportation
FUTURISTIC VIEW OF MEGACITIES AND THE WORLD AND INVENTIONS
Page 3
Megacities on the move 4:48 Video of various futuristic transportation options. Kids will love it! Go to: First top video on the left, right under project videos. Unfortunately, the other videos don’t work.
Future Trends of Transportation

57. MEGACITIES ARTICLES – Page 1
USC workshop on megacities – discusses problems in six areas – higher level readers
introduces the top cities and short summary on a few of them
simple straightforward, about megacities and large cities combining
about China’s megacities
5. about China’s growth and building rate
6. Forbes magazine, the problems with megacities
Reuters looks at the problems megacities face

58. MEGACITIES ARTICLES – Page 2
Five page article that discusses traffic congestion and megacities.
Discusses slums in the megacities – Lots of links to other articles on the left hand side
A longer article, but has personal insights into living in Lagos.
Discusses the things that Mexico City has done to improve its environmental problems. Also has a short video (2:50)
China and the future of megacities
negative side of Lagos
Shanghai builds a green city – 3-4 page article

59. MEGACITIES ARTICLES – Page 3
Sao Paulo’s massive bus system is discussed in this 3 page article
Mumbai and its power problems are analyzed in this 3 page article
Discusses how New York fights its crime problem
Brazil’s problem with street children and orphans
How Brazil is helping the children of the megacities
The Rebuilding of Brazil’s slums
Brazil is recycling tires to help the environment

60. MEGACITIES ARTICLES – Page 4
Targeted toward high school students. I included it because of the Space Invasion section on p It was the only article I found that discusses what happens when megacities run out of space.
High Speed Train Links Beijing-Shanghai (couldn’t get videos to open, but article shows a solution to transportation problems).
overview or intro to megacities

61. RESOURCES FPS Power Point Links Activities Web Quests Games
Supplies to Purchase
2. Megacity Videos and Articles
3. Megacity Readings

63. Problems give humans the opportunities to challenge themselves intellectually, emotionally, and physically.
I hope you are as confident as I am that humans will join together to solve the problems that megacities face so that everyone’s world is a
BEAUTIFUL DAY!!