National definitions of urban and rural areas differ significantly from one country to another. To facilitate international comparisons, a coalition of six international organizations developed a new global definition of cities, towns and semi-dense areas, and rural areas. On March 5th, the UN Statistical Commission endorsed the Degree of Urbanization as a recommended method for …
Urbanization is the single most important transformation that the African continent will undergo this century. More than half of Africa’s population will live in its cities by 2040. Well-managed urbanization has the potential to propel growth, enable job creation and end poverty. There is global evidence that there are strong correlations between urbanization, economic growth and poverty reduction …
Harnessing Urbanization to End Poverty and Boost Prosperity in Africa- World Bank Read More »
As part of its Urban October celebrations, UN-Habitat has launched “Paper City”, a stop-motion video animation portraying today’s urban challenges using a paper and cardboard mock city. Aimed at an audience not yet familiar with urbanization processes, the video intends to draw attention on current issues caused by rapid and uncontrolled city growth. It points …
http://www.weforum.org The world urbanises at a rate of a million people per week. What challenges does this create? Is there an optimal size for a city? What does this mean for governments and business?
Extreme climate variability and rapid, unplanned urbanization are magnifying risks to the most vulnerable people. These changing risk patterns, compounded by poverty, epidemics and demographic shifts, can exacerbate the vulnerability of communities. This document includes: Introduction Core principles of VCA process Climate change impacts and how to adress themin the VCA process Vulnerabilty and capacity assesment in urban …
This issue of Urban World (published by UNHABITAT) covers innovative cities. It examines why learning is the key to smarter urban development. It is also available in Español, русский, 中文 at the UNHABITAT link below. UNHABITAT (online home) http://www.unhabitat.org/pmss/listItemDetails.aspx?publicationID=2784
This report highlights a wide overview of data and trends regarding the growing “vulnerability gap” in urban areas. World Disasters Report 2010 – Urban Risk http://www.ifrc.org/en/publications-and-reports/world-disasters-report/wdr2010