Outskirts of a Megalopolis

Sara Dominici

Set Ref:138

Date:19/07/2009

The Metropolitan Area of Lima, Peru, is expected to reach ten million before the end of the decade, becoming a megalopolis. Today it is home to 1/3 of Peruvian population. Rolling down the Pacific coast for almost 200km, most of its territory is located in the desert. In the city's north and south ends - the most populous districts of the MAL - human settlements have grown uncontrolled. Despite difficult living conditions and frequent lack of basic services, such as running water and electricity, people prefer life here than in the poor neighbourhoods of the city centre. Less polluted air and more space usually determinate the choice.