Global

Economic Growth

Economic growth and urbanization are integrally related. Cities are the primary engines of global economic activity, generating over 80 percent of the world’s GDP. Cities offer huge potential to create jobs, foster innovation and creativity, attract investment, and raise incomes—thereby including more citizens in increased growth and prosperity than ever… Read More

USAID Announces New Broad Agency Announcement to Address Air Pollution

USAID is issuing a new Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) to support innovative approaches and solutions to prevent and mitigate pollution around the world. This is the first time USAID has issued a BAA on pollution. The BAA process is unique in that it promotes design to solution, not design to… Read More

Municipal Finance: Self-Reliant Cities Generate their Own Revenue

Cities account for nearly 80 percent of global domestic product. A suite of municipal services exists to support urban economic growth including water and sanitation, housing, transportation, and more. Both city residents and the businesses employing them require these services to thrive. However, despite growing demands from rapidly urbanizing populations,… Read More

New USAID Guidance Prioritizes Improving Urban Systems

Strengthening urban systems is one of the two priority areas in USAID’s new Environmental and Natural Resource Management (ENRM) Framework. The Framework is designed to give USAID staff a vision for integration of investments… Read More

Join USAID at the World Urban Forum!

Leaders from around the world will convene in Abu Dhabi February 8-13, 2020 for the tenth annual World Urban Forum (WUF10). WUF10 is a high-level and inclusive platform that addresses the challenges and opportunities that come with rapid urbanization and its impact on communities, cities, economies, the environment, and… Read More

Advancing Gender in the Environment: Gender and Urban Services

Rapid urbanization shifts social, economic, and political dynamics, with particular impacts on women’s empowerment and gender equality. Expanding cities offer a range of urban development opportunities for eradicating poverty and building inclusive, sustainable communities. Read More

Communications, Evidence and Learning (CEL)

Communications, Evidence and Learning (CEL) used a holistic approach that integrated evidence and research with knowledge management and strategic communications for development to broaden and deepen the influence, utility, and impact of USAID work. Status: Complete Region: Global Issues: Energy and Environment Climate Resilience and Adaptation Economic… Read More

Save Our Seas Initiative

Ocean plastic pollution has reached a crisis level, threatening the world’s delicate marine ecosystems, major industries such as fishing and tourism, food security, and ultimately human health. Every minute, the equivalent of an entire garbage truck of plastic makes its way into the world’s oceans—roughly 11 million… Read More

Energy and Environment

Cities house more than half the world’s population and account for three-fourths of global economic activity. Yet rapid urbanization means that many cities are growing faster than their government’s ability to manage them. As a result, cities face major challenges due to rapid population growth, increased pollution,… Read More

Democracy and Governance

Strong democratic institutions, respect for human rights, and participatory accountable governance are crucial elements for improving peoples’ lives in a sustainable way. In an increasingly urbanized world, these factors contribute to unlocking the potential of cities, particularly through improved urban service delivery.   Better managed cities with improved… Read More