When the railways were built it had a great effect on towns and cities. Wherever the railways were built to, the towns and cities expanded enormously but also brought prosperity. It was obvious in Britain, Europe, America and the rest of the world that it became more and more important to built railways to link towns and cities.

In the United States there was an incredible increase of populations because of the railway  and it even created new cities. The simple reason was, that railways could transport goods quick, safe and therefore prosperity rose at an incredible rate. Chicago attracted a huge immigrant population. Manhattan where land was scarce, was built upwards and therefore created the famous skyscrapers.

In Asia, Africa and Latin America the fast and huge increase of populations in the 20th century was because of the railways. The increased population became a problem for organisation.

Population of one to 5 million were in 75 cities in the world in the 1950; 144 cities in the `1970; 249 cities in the 1990. A population of 10 million or more were now counted in 12 cities in the world.

At the end of 20th century the urban areas of the cities are growing at an alarming rate and the fate of the city is any one's guess.