Cities

Rapid urbanization: Unprecedented challenges

Being such huge magnets for talent and investment, it is no wonder that cities have become the world’s major growth engine, generating more than 80% of the global GDP, while helping hundreds of millions lift themselves out of extreme poverty.

However, Widening income gaps, worsening pollution, and aging buildings and bridges are all telltale signs that today’s cities are struggling to keep up with city dwellers’ growing dreams for a sustainable, prosperous future. Climate change further complicates the urbanization challenge.

The New Urban Agenda

All is not lost. With 60% of the places that will be urbanized by 2030 yet to be built, we still have the chance to help the urban poor unlock economic potential – and safeguard hard-won development gains for generations to come. But what happens next is up to us. The good news is that, as the stakes of urbanization are growing higher, so is the global commitment to making urbanization right.

In October 2016, at the once-in-20-year Habitat III conference, countries around the world endorsed the historic New Urban Agenda, which sets a new global standard for sustainable urban development and guides global efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals in the era of climate change.