Did you know that within the past thirty years Asia has added more than 1 billion people to its cities? According to a new report released by the Asian Development Bank, an additional 1.1 billion people will join Asia’s urban population by 2040. I read their chapter titled “Green Urbanization in Asia” and thought it offered some innovative ideas designed to alleviate some of the challenges associated with urbanization.

The unprecedented urbanization creates numerous challenges, including an increase in registered vehicles, rising levels of industrial production, and an increased use of coal-fired power plants, which all contribute to air pollution. According to the ADB, air pollution in Asia leads to the death of 500,000 people each year. In addition, urban expansion makes these cities more susceptible to diseases and disasters. The recent flood in July in the Philippines killed at least 66 people, displaced over 758,000, and left more than 100 municipalities submerged for days. The Asian Development Bank’s chief economist, Changyong Rhee commented, “…This kind of natural disaster, especially flooding in Asia, is a result of the combination of a growing risk of global warming and climate change, together with rapid and massive urbanization in Asia without infrastructure.” If Asian countries do not act quickly, the region’s environment could deteriorate even further and exacerbate urban living conditions.

However, if countries take a green proactive approach, there is a possibility that these environmental hazards could be lessened. Among other solutions, the ADB recommends that governments improve public transportation and invest in urban infrastructure. By creating and promoting more high quality public transit options, the amount and use of private vehicles would decline, improving air quality and congestion in cities. Green transportation solutions are in the works in some countries already, and include low-cost electric vehicles in the Philippines, urban metrorail systems in Vietnam, inland waterway transport in China, and bus rapid transit systems in Bangladesh and Mongolia. The city of Guangzhou, China has successfully implemented the bus rapid transit (BRT); bus speeds are now 30% higher, the system saves about 6.63 minutes per BRT trip, and customer satisfaction has risen by 36%.  As more people begin to use public transportation, instead of their personal vehicles, air pollution drastically decreases.

Another suggestion the ADB recommends is to create green and satellite cities. Green cities use renewable resources, have an abundance of green space, support recycling, have energy-saving buildings, and implement other environmentally-friendly measures. Caofeidian, China is a pilot green city with specific environmental regulations such as ensuring that 60% of all trips in the city are conducted through public transport, and average water use is capped at 180 liters per person daily. In comparison, individuals in other Asian cities use 278 liters of water per day. The creation of satellite cities, smaller metropolitan areas that are located near larger cities, could also cut environmental costs and reduce mass urbanization by moving residents and firms just outside of large megacities. Some businesses and families may seize the opportunity to pay lower rents and live and work in less polluted areas.

To learn more about urban expansion in Asia, visit the Asian Development Bank’s website.