For the first time in human history, over half of the world’s population now live in cities. The ongoing trend toward urbanization will create a staggering increase in city populations of 2.8 billion by 2050. The vast majority of this growth will be in emerging market countries.

Driven by the desire for better living conditions, education, medical care and culture, this new migration is one of the most significant shifts in human habitation ever witnessed. One of the results of this is a change in the sources of economic prosperity, with 60% of the world’s GDP now generated by roughly 600 cities.

But this massive influx places tremendous burdens on existing urban infrastructures. Planners, officials, developers and builders are being forced to rethink urban life, and adapt.