Urban areas under pressure, report says

Asia-Pacific cities 'engines of growth', but face demographic changes: ESCAP

The Asia-Pacific region faces mounting pressures in carrying out urban transformation aimed at building resilient and sustainable urban centers as the region's main driver of growth, according to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, or ESCAP.

"Urbanization is more than just managing growth. It is about transforming cities into hubs of innovation, resilience and equity. This is the paradox we face. Our cities are engines of opportunity, but also centers of vulnerability. But there is hope," said United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ESCAP Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana.

Asia-Pacific cities are facing profound demographic changes. The region is home to more than 2.2 billion city dwellers and more than half of the 30 largest urban areas in the world. By 2050, the region's urban population is expected to grow by 50 percent, adding 1.2 billion people, according to the latest report released by ESCAP in Thailand.