Over half the world’s people now live in cities. The
latest "Global Report on Human Settlements" says a significant change took place
last year. The report 31 this week from
U. N. Habitat, a United Nations agency. A century ago,
32 than five percent of all people
lived in cities. 33 the middle of this
century it could be seventy percent, or 34 six and a half billion people. Already three-fourths of
people in 35 countries live in cities.
Now most urban population 36 is in the
developing world. Urbanization can lead to social and economic
progress, but als0 put 37 on cities to
provide housing and 38 . The new
report says almost two hundred thousand people move 39
cities and towns each day. It says worsening inequalities,
40 by social divisions and differences
in 41 , could result in violence and
crime unless cities plan better. Another issue is urban sprawl
(无序展的城区). This is where cities 42 quickly into rural areas, sometimes 43 a much faster rate than urban population growth. Sprawl is
common in the United States. Americans move a lot. In a recent study, Art Hall
at the University of Kansas found that people are moving away from the 44 cities to smaller ones. He sees a 45 toward "de-urbanization" across the
nation.