Megacities and the proposed Urban Intervention Model

Abstract

As of 2016, 12 percent of the world's population lives in 36 megacities. By 2030, experts estimate that 17 mega regions, hosting 60 percent of the world's population, will account for 75 percent of global GDP. Megacities come with several unique challenges for governance and the provision of services to their populations, as well as for military intervention in the wake of natural or manmade disasters. This thesis asks the question: What do Geographic Combatant Commands (GCCs) and Theater Special Operation Commands (TSOCs) need to know about megacities, and how can they improve the planning process to more rapidly assess, synchronize, and guide military interventions in megacities? The thesis proposes a four-part model--the Urban Intervention Model (UIM)--that allows military leaders to conduct a rapid assessment and plan for military intervention into a megacity in the wake of natural or manmade disasters. It then applies the UIM to a hypothetical case study, the megacity of Cairene following an earthquake, to demonstrate how planning staffs can use the model to plan for military intervention.