How have the world’s cities grown?
The last century has seen unprecedented growth and projections for the future are unfathomable. We are at 7 billion people now and are expected to be at 9 billion people in another 30 years. That’s almost a 30% growth in just 30 years…
At the rate our cities are growing, we will soon be facing some serious environmental issues. These timelapses from various cities help quantify our impact.
Check out these GIFs showing 32 years of change (1984 – 2020)
Cities:
Want to see how your city has changed?
Coachella Valley, California
The Coachella Valley is home to the highest density of golf courses in the world. Desert has become oasis in this Southern California getaway.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas has grown tremendously in the last 30 years, both upward and outward. If you keep and eye in the right hand corner you can see Lake Mead shrink drastically.
Frisco, Texas
Listed as the 4th fastest growing city in the US in 2015, Frisco has expanded rapidly over the last 30 years.
Meridian, Idaho
Beihai, China
One of the fastest growing cities in the world, this once rural peninsula is now a thriving metropolis.
Santa Cruz, Bolivia
Anyone else think 30 years went by fast? While booming growth is great news for the economy, the resources for growth have to come from somewhere.
Chongqing, China
I write about the environment and minimalism.
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