In 1950, only two of the world’s urban centers boasted populations of eight million or more. Today, dozens of cities contain at least that many people, with dozens more pushing to join the list. This program surveys the emergence and development of the megacity—both as an intellectual concept and as a physical phenomenon that is altering the face of the planet. The film examines present-day issues associated with the mammoth metropolis, including poverty, unemployment, rampant crime, poor or nonexistent healthcare, and air and water pollution. While many problems are studied in the context of the developing world, the program clearly ties them to Western cities as well. (51 minutes)