Urban Governance, Planning and Finance

By 2007 half the world's 6.5 billion people will live in cities, increasing to about two-thirds within 20 years; 90% of this growth is expected to occur in developing countries.

Rapid growth creates enormous challenges - of good governance to ensure equity and justice for all city dwellers; of urban planning to address basic needs and improve the environmental quality of cities; and of urban finance to underpin sound municipal management.

Increasing urbanisation provides potential for a significant contribution to the achievement of the MDGs because cities are centres of politics, culture, complex service provision systems, enterprise development and innovation. They create spaces where poor people can participate in a range of socio-economic and political activities, which can radically improve their well-being and status.

Cities can also provide a range of services (environmental, health, education, infrastructure, safety nets etc.) on an efficient and cost effective basis, which can provide benefits for poor people - good health, educational and job opportunities, libraries, savings and loans facilities, and access to environmental services.