Between 2009 and 2050, as the world population is expected toincrease by 2.3 billion, urban populations are projected to grow by2.9 billion – from 3.4 to 6.3 billion (UNDESA, 2009). Urban areasare therefore expected to absorb all of the world’s populationgrowth over the next four decades, while also drawing in some ofthe rural population. Furthermore, most of the urban populationgrowth will be concentrated in the cities and towns of lessdeveloped regions that already face enormous backlogs in shelter,infrastructure, and services, as well as insufficient drinkingwater supply, deteriorating sanitation, and increasingenvironmental pollution. What would you say are the most importantfactors of water resources sustainability that must be studied tohandle this urban growth, particularly in less developed regions?Please justify your answers in detail.
