People living in rural areas will be increasingly affected by the urban dynamos. Rural populations will be more involved in meeting urban needs, responding to urban priorities and capitalizing on the opportunities the cities present. To a great extent in their daily lives, in their expectations of life, in their social organization and in their value systems they will become urbanized themselves. One of the features of this process will be increasing mobility. Migration accounts for some 40 per cent of urban increase.
Migrants learn quickly and transfer the habits and values of their hosts to their own societies.
Although the volume of international migration is insignificant by comparison with internal movement, its effects are profound. International migrants have an impact on their adopted society out of proportion to their actual numbers. The urban future carries many risks for the physical environment and natural resources, for social cohesion and for individual rights but it also offers vast opportunities. The experience of large cities as concentrations of human creativity and the highest forms of social organization suggests that the future will open new avenues for human development. Cities provide capital, labour and markets for entrepreneurs and innovators at all levels of economic activity.