Task 3_Cities

Almost Half of the World Lives in Cities

According to OECD.org The population living in cities, high density places of at least 50,000 inhabitants, has more than doubled over the last 40 years, going from 1.5 billion in 1975 to 3.5 billion in 2015. Almost half the world’s population (48%) lives in cities, a quarter live in rural areas (24%), and the remaining people live in towns & semi-dense areas (28%). While the proportion of city dwellers has consistently grown, it remains lowest in low income countries. In these countries, the population share of rural areas is still highest, representing 28% of the population, but it is shrinking faster than elsewhere. Globally, urbanization is spreading. Towns are increasingly growing into cities and suburbs are being absorbed by expanding cities.

What Does the Future Hold for City and Rural Populations?

Until 2050, city populations are projected to keep rapidly growing, from 3.5 billion in 2015 to 5 billion in 2050, which corresponds to an increase of over 40%. Even though the share of the global population in towns and rural areas is set to fall, absolute population of both rural areas and towns and semi-dense areas is projected to grow by around 10% in 2015-50, given total global population growth. Globally, population growth is increasingly concentrated in large metropolitan areas. Metropolitan areas with over one million inhabitants grew half a percentage point faster per year than smaller ones. They alone have grown by more than 400 million since 2000. The largest metropolitan areas, with more than five million inhabitants, grew the fastest in terms of population, and also doubled in number over the past 25 years. This rapid growth of the largest metropolitan areas creates important policy challenges in terms of public transport, affordable housing, and public service provision.

Not all cities were created the same, obviously. But whether big or small, they all have similarities that you can use to your advantage when exploring a new one. As someone who's visited over 50 cities in the last two years, I can tell you that there's a certain charm you can find easily if you're willing to do some devoted exploring. There are many things you should do no matter what city you visit, and each activity can give you a different facet to the culture that you wouldn't notice otherwise. With the right amount of curiosity, you can make any experience an unforgettable one. These are 11 thing you can do while you are visiting a city.

1. Visit a museum.

Museums are always a source of fascination and can help ground you in a city's history. Depending on the size of the city, you may have a whole array to choose from Each one can give you a different look at the world some museums are more focused on modern international art you can't find anywhere else, while others in a different region of the country could have more relics from specific to their history.

2. Check out the local farmer's market. 

Farmer's markets sell all sorts of produce depending on where you're traveling, and it can give you an awesome sense of unique foods and craftsmanship in the city. On the coasts, fresh fish and seafood is easy to find. There are fresher vegetables in regions with more farms per capita. And locally crafted jewelry is always a possibility no matter where you go.

3. Visit an antique store. 

A city's oldie pieces are going to be different based on its history and odds are whoever is running the shop will have a lot of stories to tell.

4. Spend some time in a park. 

The foliage in other cities can look completely different from what you're used to some have evergreens, some have tropical palm trees, and some even just have different sized and colored bushes. In any case, taking a breather in a local park is a must. You can document the wild flora you see, or just enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of nature in action in the middle of a town.

5. Check out the local music scene. 

Local musicians are going to have their own sounds, and even if everyone thinks they're the next Black Keys or Killers, who's to know if they're wrong? Taking a minute to appreciate their talents is common courtesy for tourists anyway, right? Go check out some homemade jams and see for yourself.

6. Eat at a locally recommended restaurant. 

Every town has a specialty food whether it's the barbecue of the Midwest, the sandwiches of the East Coast, or the seafood of the West. You need to expand your palette, and regions of the country/world are the best way to indulge. A simple Yelp review or Facebook recommendations call is the best way to find the good grub.

7. Take your own walking tour. 

The best sights can be seen on foot, and maybe you'll meet a few friendly locals who can tell you which way to go. Feeling the experience of being part of the hustle and bustle while marveling at the sights above your head or below your feet is a great way to get acquainted with a new place.

8. Find the city's best view. 

Take it all in, on the highest rooftop bar or work building or observatory. Every skyline is a little different, so try and see what makes this one so special.

9. Reflect at a national historical site. 

There is history in every city, whether it's a war monument or a marker of a famous event or a memorial to some phenomenon. This, too, can give you a sense for the foundation that defines a city, and give you some context for its present day.

10. Take a drive around the suburban neighborhoods. 

This way you can get a sense for what life is actually like and appreciate the differences in architecture and day-to-day living.

11. Take public transportation and people-watch. 

If the town has a subway, light rail or intricate bus system, take it and observe what goes on. You'll never know what strange sights you could see or what curious souls you'll befriend (as someone who lives in Los Angeles where the only thing you can do is drive, I do miss people-watching between stops).