Systems of Cities : Harnessing Urbanization for Growth and Poverty Alleviation

Urbanization is a defining phenomenon of this century and the developing world is where this demographic transformation is taking place. Over 90 percent of urban growth is now occurring in the developing world and nearly two billion people will become urban residents in the next twenty years. This reality makes the World Bank's Urban and Local Government Strategy presented in this book both relevant and compelling. The new strategy, structured around five thematic areas, suggests ways for developing countries to maximize the benefits of urbanization while avoiding the congestion costs. It delves into new programmatic approaches to urban poverty while embracing the challenge of the climate change agenda.