Asian Cities are Growing Upwards more than Outwards

Syllabus: GS1/ Urban development, GS3/ Infrastructure

Context

• A new study published in Nature Cities has found that Cities around the world, especially in Asia, are growing upwards faster than they are spreading outwards.

About

• The cities with populations in excess of 10 million people had more prominent vertical growth, and this effect became more pronounced in the 2010s.
• Indian cities did not show a uniform upward growth, with only the large ones with more than 5 million people showing upward and outward or just outward growth, mostly in the 2010s.
• China, Japan, South Korea and other east Asian countries have experienced one of the most dramatic urban transformations in the world, characterized by the rapid proliferation of high-rise buildings, particularly in its major cities.
  • Cities like Shanghai, Shenzhen, Beijing, and Guangzhou are known for their impressive skylines filled with high-rise buildings and skyscrapers.
• In India, Cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Chennai are seeing a significant increase in vertical development.

Reason for upward growth in cities

• Global Urbanization Trends: The world is becoming increasingly urbanized, with more people living in cities than in rural areas. To manage this population shift, cities are expanding upwards rather than outwards.
• High Land Costs: As land prices rise in urban centers, building upwards becomes more economically viable than expanding horizontally.
• Improved Construction Techniques: Advances in engineering and construction technology have made it easier and safer to build taller structures.
  • Innovations in materials, design, and construction methods have enabled cities to grow vertically.
• Changing Lifestyles: Urban residents, especially younger generations, are increasingly drawn to the convenience and amenities offered by high-rise living, such as proximity to work, shopping, and entertainment.

Advantages of the Vertical Shift in Urban Growth

• Taller buildings allow more people to live in a smaller area, making better use of limited urban land.
  • This can reduce urban sprawl, preserving green spaces and agricultural land outside city limits.
• Concentrating populations in vertical developments can lead to more efficient delivery of public services such as transportation, waste management, and utilities.
• Vertical cities can reduce the need for long commutes, as people live closer to work, reducing traffic congestion and lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
• Taller buildings, particularly when designed with green technologies, can be more energy-efficient and sustainable compared to low-density urban development.

Disadvantages of the Vertical Shift in Urban Growth

• The rise of vertical development leads to gentrification, displacing lower-income populations and increasing social inequality.
• Existing infrastructure, such as roads, sewage systems, and public transportation, may not be equipped to handle the increased density, leading to overcrowding and potential breakdowns in services.
• High-rise buildings can create urban heat islands, where the concentration of concrete and lack of green space raise local temperatures, affecting the microclimate.
• Taller buildings pose challenges for emergency services like firefighting and evacuation, especially in the event of natural disasters.
• Residents of high-rise buildings experience social isolation, as vertical living can reduce opportunities for neighborly interactions compared to more horizontal, community-based urban designs.

Concluding remarks

• The high-rise building trend is a response to the challenges of rapid urbanization, land scarcity, and the need for sustainable urban development. 
• While vertical growth offers many advantages, it also presents challenges that must be carefully managed. 
• The future of high-rise development will likely involve a balance between economic growth, social equity, and environmental sustainability, with a focus on creating livable, resilient urban environments.

Source: TH