2085 Megacities

By 2085, the world’s megacities have evolved into sprawling urban ecosystems, each reflecting unique trajectories shaped by climate adaptation, technological integration, and demographic shifts. Cities like Lagos and Dhaka, once challenged by infrastructure deficits, have become leaders in vertical urban farming and flood-resilient architecture, supporting populations exceeding 50 million. Meanwhile, Tokyo and Shanghai, with their histories of relentless expansion, have stabilized their growth through strict population policies and advanced automation, resulting in denser but more sustainable urban cores. New megacities have emerged in Africa and South Asia, such as Kinshasa and Karachi, driven by youthful populations and rapid economic development, while some older giants like New York and London have seen relative population declines as climate migration and remote work disperse residents to smaller, climate-safe cities. The histories of these megacities reveal a pattern: those that adapted to environmental and social challenges thrived, while others transformed or diminished, illustrating the dynamic interplay between human ingenuity and the forces of nature.

Data from UN World Urbanization Prospects