Global

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

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

Gender and Women’s Empowerment

Rapid urbanization in developing countries is shifting social, economic, and political dynamics, with particular impacts on gender equality and women’s empowerment. Urbanization can benefit women by providing greater economic, social, and political opportunities and access to better services. At the same time, research shows that women in… Read More

Urban Service Delivery

Effective urban service delivery is key to improving the lives of the rapidly growing number of urban dwellers, particularly in developing countries. In the next three decades, 2.5 billion people will migrate into the world’s urban areas, 90 percent of them in Africa and Asia. Ensuring that urbanization in… Read More