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EDITOR’S NOTE 2017 Tokyo 38.8 M New York City 23.6 M Shanghai 24.1 M Seoul 25.5 M Mexico City 22.2 M Karachi 24.3 M Delhi 21.8 M Manila 24.2 M Top Ten Megacities Mumbai 23.6 M Jakarta 31.5 M Megacity Population % Urban Population by Country < 25% 25% -50% 50% -75% > 75% Source: United Nations For the first time in history, more people around the globe live in cities than in rural areas, and that number is climbing at an unprecedented rate. By 2050, UNICEF estimates that 70% of the population will live in cities. The biggest shifts are happening in Africa and Asia. While the pace of urbanization varies by continent, the quest for a better life is the universal driver behind urban migration. Whether it’s climate change, politics, poverty or war that people are fleeing, they go to the cities seeking the same things; economic mobility, education and access to modern amenities. However, life in cities can be unpredictable and these things often prove elusive. Cities are struggling to accommodate their growing populations on many levels. Developing cities often lack the infrastructure, resources and economic opportunities to accommodate everyone. Developed cities are experiencing an influx of wealth that creates an inequality gap. In issue one, we will explore the specific drivers for urban migration and how they play out in people’s lives. Our feature stories traverse the world. First we find an indigenous community in Louisiana, whose way of life literally being washed away by climate change, a sign of things to come. Next we move east to China. We follow rural farmers as they experience China’s government mandated mass urbaniza- 10 CURRENT FALL 2017
By 2050, 70% Of The World’s Population Will Be Urban 2050 Tokyo 32.6 M New York City 24.8 M Dhaka 35.2 M Mexico City 24.3 M Lagos 32.6 M Karachi 31.7 M Delhi 36.2 M Kolkata 33 M Top Ten Megacities Kinshasa 35 M Mumbai 42.4 M Megacity Population % Urban Population by Country < 25% 25% -50% 50% -75% > 75% Source: UNICEF, Business Insider tion, adjusting to life in large cities, Finally we end up in Karachi, to find a small rural city forced to become a megacity, bursting at the seams and erupting in chaos. We will examine what urban migration looks like across cultures and continents from the people experiencing it first hand. The themes of assimilation and displacement create a commonality among people who are worlds apart. The connections forged adjusting to an unfamiliar culture and way of life will be looked at closely. Kristin Lowry Editor-in-Chief FALL 2017 CURRENT 11
Page 1: THE GROWTH OF KARACHI A rural town
Page 12 and 13: CONTENTS 29 37 FEATURES 29 37 THE F
Page 14 and 15: A CONVERSATION WITH: Printed Doors
Page 16 and 17: A DAY IN THE LIFE: BY AZAD MAJUMDER
Page 18 and 19: Indian women collect water from a b
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Page 22 and 23: The middle class neighborhood of Do
Page 26 and 27: “The dream that you hoped for, th
Page 28 and 29: A Native American Tribe Struggles T
Page 30 and 31: Kenya LaMeroux wanders along Island
Page 32 and 33: Keyondre Authement, 15, throwing ro
Page 34 and 35: By 2050, 200 Million People Will Be
Page 38 and 39: China Plans To Move 70% Of The Coun
Page 40 and 41: Chen Hua, 50, moving to her new hom
Page 42 and 43: of the Institute of World Economics
Page 44 and 45: Ran Shunbi, 75, plays mah-jongg whi
Page 46 and 47: UPWARD AND OUTWARD 46 CURRENT FALL
Page 48 and 49: People cool off near a damaged wate
Page 50 and 51: The residents of Benazir Colony eit
Page 52 and 53: Karachi’s business and financial
Page 56 and 57: THE D.C.-BASED SOCIAL VENTURE, UBEL
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JUAN, 72 (left), telling the story
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AMERICA LIBERTAD, 80 (left), and he
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JUAN CASANOVA, 47 (left), showing h
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Book Review Jason De Leon’s The L
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ESSAY Refugees Get Their Own Flag F
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