The purpose of the Mega-Cities project is to identify innovations which are helping to make cities, and particularly the very largest cities (the 'mega-cities'), better places to live and work in; and to disseminate information about these innovations so that they can be adopted in other places.
- A growing proportion of the world's population lives in cities and some of the fastest growing are already the largest. However, relatively little attention has so far been paid by the aid and development agencies to these cities, their problems and their opportunities.
- The mega-cities share particular problems and offer opportunities in addition to those which are common to all urban areas.
- Most studies of the largest cities focus on the problems and pay relatively little attention to one of the most positive aspects, the vast amount of innovation which is taking place. Some of the innovations are city specific but many could be copied or adapted for use in other cities if only there was some way of knowing about them.
The innovations may be an individual product or piece of equipment; a design, engineering or construction process or procedure; or it could be an organisational or administrative innovation. The innovation must, however, have been put into practice and found to be workable to qualify, not just be a 'bright idea.'
The project is already under way in four Latin American cities: Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires, and Mexico City as well as in Los Angeles and New York. Nairobi, Tokyo, Beijing and Bangkok have all expressed a desire to become involved. Dr Janice Perlman, the originator of the project has visited the latter three cities and helped launch it in London too.
Several American foundations and large businesses have contributed funds towards the coordination of the project in New York. It already has the support of the World Health Organisation, the World Bank and the UN Habitat. However, each participating city is expected to raise its own funds. Each has, or will have, a steering committee, and a full-time coordinator with administrative and research support.
Among the innovations that the New York Mega-Cities Project has documented (says an article in the New York City Tribune) are:
- R2 B2 Recycling Project. R2 B2 is a private recycling centre on Carter Avenue in the Bronx which is subsidised by the Department of Sanitation. The centre pays people for their garbage and recycles it. This programme of 'Cash-for-Trash' supplements income, creates 20 full-time jobs for neighbourhood residents and provides inexpensive recycled goods to South Bronx businesses. It also helps to solve New York's garbage problem, providing an alternative method of disposal.
- Glassphalt Road Paving Material. The Department of Transportation has begun using Glassphalt - 20 per cent recycled glass and 80 per cent asphalt - to repave roads. This technological innovation will foster a huge demand for recycled garbage.
David Hutchinson, London Co-ordinator, Mega-Cities Project, c/o London Research Centre, 81 Black Prince Road, London SE1 7SZ (tel 071 735 4250; fax 071 261 1710).