According to the “World Urbanization Prospects: The 2005 Revision” by the United Nations the number of mega-cities had increased to 20 in 2005 and it was projected that there will be 22 mega-cities in 2015. A mega-city is usually defined as a metropolitan area with a total population in excess of 10 million people. The world is getting urban – everywhere. Since 2007 the number of people living in cities is the same as the number of people living in rural areas. Currently, the urbanization has reached its peak speeds in parts of Asia and Africa. New mega-cities like Mumbai with 14 and Shanghai with 18 million people are signs for this progressive urbanization.

What are the opportunities and risks, what possibilities are offered by mega-cites? With a portrait of the Japanese city Oskaka-Kobe we want to focus on an Asian mega-city to open up reasons and positions of the urbanization.

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