The urbanising force of global warming

The global population is urbanising rapidly. Each year, cities around the world host tens of millions of new inhabitants, particularly in low and middle income countries. While traditionally urbanisation has been associated with a process of structural change and economic development, today many poor countries are urbanising faster and at a much earlier stage of development, which suggests that the drivers of urbanisation have changed. Urbanisation and city growth are increasingly seen as an outcome of ‘push’ rather than ‘pull’ factors: people get displaced to cities as much as attracted by them. One of the push factors that has gained attention in recent years is the climate.

Download the full policy brief