City Leaders Need To Strike Delicate Balance Between Economic Growth, Liveability

SINGAPORE, June 30 (Bernama) -- City leaders should strike a delicate balance between economic growth and liveability, said Minister of State for National Development Tan Chuan-Jin. "As one of the fastest growing urban regions, Asian cities will play an increasingly important role in global urban developments. "One major challenge is how Asian cities cope with a growing urban population. An overcrowded city puts a very severe strain on land use management, environment and importantly, social relations -– the fabric that keeps our society together," he said. Tan said this in his address at the opening of the Asian Network Of Major Cities 21 (ANMC21) here Saturday. According to a projection by the United Nations, by 2050, the world’s population will reach nine billion, with 70 per cent expected to live in cities. -- BERNAMA