Siemens 2006 Annual Report Download - page 65

Shanghai and Siemens 65
Growth engines of the future
Cities are the heart of our civilization – the hubs of
modern cultural and economic life. Nowhere else do
so many people encounter so many ideas and so many
opportunities. And cities are expanding. By 2007, 50
percent – and by 2030, over 60 percent – of the world’s
population will live in urban areas. To prevent collapse,
strong and efficient infrastructures that can provide
millions of people with power, water and eco-friendly
transportation are crucial.
The impact of rapid urbanization is being compound-
ed by the consequences of demographic change. The
world’s population is not only growing, it’s also growing
older. As a result, the cities of tomorrow will require
high-quality, efficient and affordable healthcare systems
as well as smoothly functioning infrastructures.
Siemens is better positioned than virtually any other
company to master these challenges. We have the tech-
nological solutions to further improve healthcare quality
and, by simultaneously cutting healthcare costs, to
ensure that healthcare systems remain affordable in the
future. Our comprehensive portfolio and innovation
leadership make us the prime technology partner for
urban centers – for example, in China, where we’re sup-
porting the breathtaking rise of Shanghai, a megacity
of 13 million people.
Megacities