World Population Day Comment: 
Key to Ensuring that the Middle East Thrives in a near 10-billion People Planet is to Continually Rethink Our Cities

The UN recently upgraded its global population forecast to 9.8 billion by 2050 with sub-Saharan Africa accounting for much of the world’s population growth between now and then. Commenting on the regional implications of a near 10 billion people planet by 2050, Vafa Valapour, Principal at United World Infrastructure, said:

Dubai, UAE – July 11:  “According to several measures, key countries across the Middle East and GCC in particular could witness above average population growth over the next few decades as growing numbers of global citizens search for the opportunities offered in their cities,” said Vafa Valapour, Principal at United World Infrastructure.

“As the world moves towards a forecasted 9.8 billion people planet by 2050, the key to ensuring we are both resilient enough to cope with such growth and prepared and able to thrive as a region up to and beyond 2050, is through developing new cities and expanding and modernizing existing cities, in a way that supports resource efficiency, while being financially sustainable and socially enriching.”

He continued: “Rising, and increasingly urbanizing, populations offer decision makers in the region and across the world an opportunity to shape the role their cities can play in creating shared prosperity, improving health and longevity, and improving the happiness of citizens, residents, and workers alike.”
“If we are to meet a future urban population challenge, measuring and aspiring to improve happiness of our citizens will be key,” he concluded.