Today, informal settlements are home to over a billion people (nearly 1/7 of the world population); and that number is projected to triple by 2050. These growing settlements are the result of rapid urbanization and present us with both lessons as well as serious challenges for the future of our planet. In this next episode of ON CITIES, host Carie Penabad speaks with Dr. Janice Perlman, a global expert on urbanization and the informal sector. With over fifty years of experience researching the favelas of Rio de Janeiro and working within informal settlements in megacities throughout the world, Perlman sheds light on the realities of daily life for informal settlers and how we can address the pressing challenges of rapid urbanization to create a more equitable and sustainable future for all. Tune in Friday, June 16, 2023 at 11:00 AM EST, 8:00 PST on the Voice America Variety Channel https://www.voiceamerica.com/show/4119/on-cities; and find all previous episodes on Spotify, Apple iTunes or your favorite podcast platform.