CW UNPLUGGED: MEGACITIES

Half of humanity – 3.5 billion people – live in cities today and by 2030, almost 60 per cent of the world’s population will live in urban areas. The world’s cities occupy just 3 per cent of the Earth’s land, but account for 60-80 per cent of energy consumption and 75 per cent of carbon emissions. Rapid urbanization is exerting pressure on fresh water supplies, sewage, the living environment, and public health.

Although 95 per cent of urban expansion in the next decades will take place in developing world there are 828 million people living in slums today and the number keeps rising. By 2030, the world is projected to have 43 megacities, most of them in developing regions.

"However, the challenge is that in many countries it's taking place so rapidly ... and large slum areas have developed that are not maybe achieving the goals of sustainable development the way that we would like."

By 2030 the UN is working towards ways to ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums. To provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, and reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, paying special attention to air quality.

This event on 28 September will showcase three social impact related ventures who are developing smart city technologies in AI and IoT infrastructure that can be scaled to and applied in Megacities.

Bringing together impact investors, designers, engineers, we'll help create solutions to specific challenges for these three ventures as well as others who may join this event. The real tough work will be outside this event over the year with a sustainable effort with support from mentors, platforms and connections to turn some of these solutions into reality and impact.

To ensure we have the right group of people attending this exclusive event we would like to invite you to register your interest by clicking 'reserve a place' and we will reply back to confirm your suitability (within a week).