What is an emerging city?
What is an Emerging City?
An emerging city is a rapidly developing urban area that has not yet reached maturity. These cities are characterised by their rapid population growth, increasing economic activities, and ongoing urbanisation.
However, they often face significant challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, limited access to basic services, and governance issues.
The unprecedented growth rates often outstrips the city’s ability to absorb the influx of new residents, leading to social infrastructure deficits such as insufficient housing, transport, healthcare, and educational facilities. Additionally, the lack of resources can exacerbate these issues, creating gaps in service provision and quality of life.
To fill these gaps emerging cities often see the rise of informal transport systems and service, covered in depth in the following unit. Despite these challenges, emerging cities typically exhibit dynamic and fast-paced growth, high levels of innovation, and a strong potential for future development, contrasting with mature cities which have established systems and structures.
Mature Cities vs Emerging Cities
| Aspect | Mature cities | Emerging cities |
|---|---|---|
| Infrastructure | Well-developed, extensive, and maintained | Developing, often inadequate or under pressure |
| Economic Stability | Stable, diversified economy | Rapidly growing, often dependent on a few sectors |
| Governance | Established, structured, efficient | Developing, sometimes inefficient or corrupt |
| Service Provision | Comprehensive, reliable | Limited, often struggling to meet demand |
| Population Growth | Stable, sometimes declining | Rapid, often outpacing infrastructure development |
| Innovation | Steady, incremental | High, driven by necessity and opportunity |
| Environmental Impact | Managed, with established sustainability measures | High, often unregulated or inadequately managed |
| Transport Systems | Formal, extensive, and regulated | Mix of formal and informal, often unregulated |
| Resource Availability | Sufficient, well-distributed | Often scarce, leading to social infrastructure deficits |
In the next Unit we deep-dive into the topic of informal transport, a common characteristic of emerging cities.
Suggested readings
- The Urban Transport Crisis in Emerging Economies: An Introduction (2016)
- Planning for Transit-Oriented Development in Emerging Cities (2024) World Bank
Data Fundamentals for Sustainable Mobility
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