On World Cities Day 2018 we take a look at some of the urban areas Alexander Gerst has photographed from his unique vantage point on board the International Space Station.

 

According to a recent publication from the United Nations, an estimated 53.3 percent of the world’s population currently live in urban settlements. By 2030, this figure is expected to increase to 60 percent, with one in every three of us living in a city with at least half a million inhabitants.

This Wednesday 31 October is World Cities Day. The focus is around building sustainable and resilient cities. And from his post on board the International Space Station, ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst has a unique view.

Below are just a few of the areas affected by human influence that Alexander’s captured from the Cupola during his Horizons mission – a timely reminder of our ability to choose how we make a difference both on Earth and up in space.

 
Visit Flickr to view high resolution versions of all the latest imagery captured by Alexander Gerst on board the International Space Station.