Resource information
Urbanization is undoubtedly a key driver
of development -- cities provide the national platform for
prosperity, job creation, and poverty reduction. But
urbanization also poses enormous challenges that one is
familiar with: congestion, air pollution, social divisions,
crime, the breakdown of public services and infrastructure,
and the slums that one billion urban resident's call
home. Urbanization is perhaps the single most important
question in development today. It is clear that cities have
not performed as well as can be expected in their
transformative role for more livable, inclusive,
people-centered, and sustainable development. But they have
enormous potential as growth escalators, offering the
opportunity to lift millions out of poverty, and serve as
centers of knowledge, innovations, and entrepreneurship.
Cities in both the developed and developing world want to
attract more entrepreneurs and create more jobs. Cities also
need to be resilient to natural hazards and the impacts of
climate change. If these are left unaddressed, cities will
become part of the problem rather than the solution.
