<a href="http://www.marcuslyon.com/" target="_blank">Marcus Lyon</a> is a British photographer who photographs urban landscapes around the world. This is a look at three of Lyon's bodies of work that explore this, and the text that goes along with them. These first five photos are from the series "Brics." Here, favelas are seen in Rio de Janerio.

<a href="http://www.marcuslyon.com/" target="_blank">Lyon</a> says that, characterized by the juxtaposition of Orthodox Christian Church domes and brutal housing blocks, Moscow is now the largest city in Europe. It is now home to over 10 million people. In the sixteen years since the collapse of the Soviet Union, over a third of the historic city has been destroyed to make space for luxury apartments and hotels.

<a href="http://www.marcuslyon.com/" target="_blank">Lyon</a> says that the paradoxes of the new India are glaringly present. India is home to billionaires, Bollywood stars, and slum dwellers. As the rich have limited places to go, the skyline is stretching ever upwards.

<a href="http://www.marcuslyon.com/" target="_blank">Lyon</a> says that Chongqing is the fastest-growing urban mass on the planet. At over 31 million, Chongquing's population is bigger than that of Peru or Iraq, with half a million more arriving every year. The streets hum with an army of 100,000 "bang bang men" weaving through the urban sprawl, transporting goods strung over their backs on their bamboo sticks. Chongqing epitomizes the shift of man as a rural to an urban being.

<a href="http://www.marcuslyon.com/" target="_blank">Lyon</a> says that Mumbai, celebrated for its teeming energy and vitality, is the world's most densely populated area, with an average of 30,000 people per square kilometer. Although India boasts more billionaires than China, 81% of its population lives on less than $2 a day. Yet, however basic the living conditions may be, the city's "wadis" are a testament to India's entrepreneurial spirit. They are as much a reflection of the new India and its thriving economy as the glossy high-rises in the south of the city.

The next five photos are from the series "Exodus." <a href="http://www.marcuslyon.com/" target="_blank">Lyon</a> says that Exodus is an exploration of the most significant migrations of the early 21st century. As the ability of humans, goods and services to circumnavigate the planet increases dramatically, we are left disconnected from a simple view of our common identity.

<a href="http://www.marcuslyon.com/" target="_blank">Lyon</a> says that as human ability to circumnavigate the globe increases dramatically, we challenge our ability to define our identities geographically. The global citizens of airport lounges and business hotels ascend to another world where the realities of real community become strangely mixed with notions of belonging to a different society of frequent flyer points and concierge services.

<a href="http://www.marcuslyon.com/" target="_blank">Lyon</a> says that driven by rampant consumer demand, southern China has become the workshop of the world. As millions migrate from rural China to the factories of Guangzhou to manufacture goods, consumers hoard gadgets and define themselves through the ownership of a cornucopia of products transported across the globe in colorful metal boxes.

<a href="http://www.marcuslyon.com/" target="_blank">Lyon</a> says that to many economic historians the railroads were the crucial "take off" factor in U.S. industrialization in the 19th century. Today, every American requires 40 tons of freight each year to fuel personal consumer demand. This $60 billion industry, consisting of 140,000 miles of class I railroads, employs 221,000 people. Annually it hauls 1.5 trillion ton miles of bulk goods, chemicals and construction materials in the name of progress.

<a href="http://www.marcuslyon.com/" target="_blank">Lyon</a> says that the movement of goods by sea is an unseen migration of raw materials and products around the planet. Covering 71% of the planet's surface, oceans are temporary home to 90% of the world's cargo, transported in a fleet of 70,000 vessels. Moving 7.4 billion tons of goods -- wrapped, packed and contained -- the waters of the world bear witness to mankind's desire to move mountains in the name of progress.

The next five photos are from the series "Timeout." <a href="http://www.marcuslyon.com/" target="_blank">Lyon</a> says that Timeout explores mass behaviors in a world where the search for safety and shelter has taken on a secondary role. As the billion planet dwellers that no longer need to satisfy their basic needs search for meaning they turn to another human instinct: exploration.

<a href="http://www.marcuslyon.com/" target="_blank">Lyon</a> says that the world's airlines operate a fleet of 23,000 aircraft from 3,750 airports, annually carrying 3 billion passengers for work or vacation. As consumers, the exponential increase in mass air transportation challenges our notions of identity and redefines our place in the world by cabin class and concierge services.

<a href="http://www.marcuslyon.com/" target="_blank">Lyon</a> says that over 50 million acres of land is utilized in the production of 2.5 billion bushels of wheat in the continental U.S. Annually subsidized to the tune of $1.1 billion, per capita consumption hovers around 66 kg per year. Produced in 5 classes: hard red winter, hard red spring, soft red winter, white and durum, this grain is the foundation of rampant global consumer demand for bread, cookies, noodles and pasta.

<a href="http://www.marcuslyon.com/" target="_blank">Lyon</a> says that after centuries of open-air markets, the shopping mall became a development paradigm as corporations and planners created fully enclosed, environmentally controlled, consumption spaces for the masses. Today the most popular mall in the U.S. has an annual footfall of 40 million visitors and is a social space where you can eat, shop, watch a film or even get married.

<a href="http://www.marcuslyon.com/" target="_blank">Lyon</a> says that With more than 26 million players, golf generates more than $68 billion in goods and services with a combined annual economic impact estimated at $177 billion. Despite its credentials as a driver of growth across the retail, sports and housing sectors, golf remains at the heart of a society built on voracious consumption and incredible wealth inequality. For more of Marcus Lyon's work, visit <a href=" http://www.marcuslyon.com/" target="_blank"> marcuslyon.com</a>.