City Dwellers on the Rise
Half the world's population will live in urban areas by the end of this year and 70 percent will be city dwellers by 2050, with cities in Asia and Africa registering the biggest growth, a U.N. forecast said Tuesday.
The report predicted there will be 27 "megacities" with at least 10 million residents by mid-century compared to 19 giant metropolitan areas today. But it said at least half the urban growth will be in smaller cities that now have less than 500,000 people.
Closer to home...
Experts say between five and 10 percent of a metropolitan area's total population prefers to live in an urban setting. That demand in metro Jackson has been grossly under-filled. The city currently has 125 apartment dwellings, and all are at full capacity. Downtown dwelling offers something suburbia doesn't. Downtown dwellers are within walking distance of their favorite restaurants, art galleries and other entertainment venues. Downtown Jackson also boasts the lowest crime rate in the city. Many developers have downtown apartments either under-way or on the drawing board.
Other Mississippi towns are are on the move to increase and improve downtown dwellings. Columbus has 125 downtown apartments with more on the way. Greenwood has also showcased its several downtown dwellings and held "Upstairs Downtown" events the last two years.
What's going on with urban dwelling in your downtown?
