Megacities - Mumbai Case Study

Question 1

Overview

Answer 1

Population ~ 18 million
Originally a collection of fishing villages with it’s economy based on textiles
Today, Mumbai has a diverse economy of aerospace, engineering and computer/electronic equipment
Financial/commercial/entertainment center of India
6% of its total GDP and 40% of India’s foregin trade - richest city in India
Bollywood

Question 2

Growth Impacts - Social

Answer 2

Gender imbalance: Greater number of males living in the city - gender ratio of 838 females per 1000 males
-Cause: migrant workers, less educated females, social customs, poverty

 Poverty: Slums - over 9 million people live in slums (>40% of the cities population) -Health and sanitation access is an issue - over 4000 cases of diphtheria and typhoid a day. -Mainly due to inadequate access to proper sanitation and water

Question 3

Growth Impacts - Economic

Answer 3

Due to the increase of internal migration, there is an issue with underemployment of lack of employment in the city

Great pressure to clear parts of the slum areas due to their close proximity with financial and commercial district

Question 4

Growth Impacts - Environmental

Answer 4

Air pollution - Mumbai records some of the worst air quality levels in the world

Pollution of waterways and rivers

Limited greenspace, competition for housing

Question 5

Growth Impacts - Political

Answer 5

Development and urban sprawl

Regulation of economic activity

Planned development in slum areas causing forced migration

Question 6

What is a Megacity?

Answer 6

A large city with a population of more than 10 million people.