One study estimates that half of American cities will be “ghost towns” by 2100.

A recent study conducted by researchers from University of Illinois, in Chicago, estimated that by the year 2100, about half of the approximately 30,000 cities in the United States will experience a decline in their population, becoming “ghost towns.” This trend observed over the last 20 years suggests that the demographic decline could be between 12% and 23% of the current population of these places, which presents unprecedented challenges.

The impact of this population decline implies the loss of basic services such as transportation, clean water, electricity and internet connectivity. Besides, the declining tax base will directly affect the basic services of the cities.

Population displacement can bring additional challenges by depriving essential resources in areas that lose residents, further complicating their situation. The report suggests that, while immigration may play an important role, challenges in resource distribution will continue unless a paradigm shift away from growth-only planning.

Research suggests that cities with lower median incomes are located in the Northeast and Midwest USA They are more likely to experience population over time than the western and southern regions of the country. It has been predicted Hawaii And DC. They will not suffer any harm to the residents.

New York Post He highlighted that this phenomenon is not only seen in small towns, but also in important metropolitan centers such as Detroit, Cleveland And St. Louis, though at a moderate or slow pace. As those areas face this decline, nearby “suburban and peri-urban” cities are attracting residents.

This pattern is also recorded in southern metropolitan centres, viz Columbus, Georgia; Birmingham, Alabama And Memphis, Tennessee. At the same time, after the epidemic COVID-19Residents have migrated from traditionally democratic states viz California And NY to the republican states of Sun BeltWants lower cost of living and lower taxes.

On the other hand, a new study based on five climate scenarios is known as Shared Socio Economic Pathways (SSPs)As established by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Sixth Assessment, it is estimated that 40% of the urban population USA May develop by 2100. In cities projected to develop NY, Angels, Atlanta, Houston and more.

The researchers emphasized the need to move away from growth-based planning and to sustainably maintain and provide infrastructure for all these cities. Conversely, large cities are less likely to experience population decline than smaller cities in more remote rural areas.

However, population trends for the next 76 years are still uncertain IPCC It has become clear that we are in a critical window and it is fast closing to mitigate the worst impacts of climate change on society. The demographic future of USA The year 2100 seems to be headed for drastic change, with ghost cities as a potential landscape on the horizon.