The Urban Explosion: Why Are Cities Growing So Fast?

In 1800, only about 3% of the world's people lived in cities. Today, that figure is over 56% — and it is rising every year. By 2050, experts predict that around 7 in every 10 people on Earth will be city-dwellers. Think about the city or town nearest to you. Has it grown in your lifetime? Has your family ever moved from a rural area to find work or school? Cities are pulling people in like magnets — but why? And what happens when they grow too fast?