Unhealthy cities

Unhealthy urban environments

Nature

By the turn of the century, half the 6.2 billion population of the planet will be urban. The unplanned and often chaotic growth of mega-cities will mean that at least half of their inhabitants will live in crowded tenements, shanty towns and slums without basis amenities. Overcrowding, filth and squalor encourages the spread of infectious diseases and poses massive threats to urban health. Even in the developed world, ill health as a consequence of urban living is prevalent.

The lack of adequate solid waste disposal and sewerage services causes serious public health problems in many cities, causing many diseases including often-fatal water-borne diseases such as cholera and dysentery.

Incidence

Unhealthy cities are a growing global concern, with the World Health Organization estimating that over 90% of the world’s urban population breathes air that exceeds recommended pollution limits. Rapid urbanization, inadequate infrastructure, and limited access to green spaces contribute to increased rates of respiratory diseases, obesity, and mental health disorders in cities across continents, affecting billions of people and straining public health systems.
In 2023, New Delhi, India, experienced hazardous air quality levels, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) surpassing 450 in several districts. Schools were closed and outdoor activities suspended, highlighting the acute health risks faced by urban residents during severe pollution episodes.