Urban Development
Wide Ranging Problems on Narrow Space
Many cities are close to collapsing. Source: KfW Photo Archive / photothek.net
As of 2008, for the first time more people are living in cities than in rural areas. In 2030 two-thirds of the world population will be living in cities - that will be four billion people. Cities in developing countries will expand most, since nowhere else the population is increasing so rapidly. Cities have always been dynamic hubs. Economical, cultural, political, social and technological development all take place here - the future of society.
But cities can as well become an urban nightmare. In many developing countries many cities are not able to fulfil basic requirements for their inhabitants: sewage runs off untreated, drinking water is polluted, garbage is rotting in residential areas and there is not enough affordable living space. Many municipal administrations do not have enough qualified staff and no funds to carry out necessary investments in infrastructure.
Millennium of the Cities
No country on earth ever has prospered without urbanization. According to UN studies, poverty can be abated most effectively in cities. Therefore, last but not least cities are crucial for attaining the Millennium Development Goals. Since it is here that social, economical and ecological problems amass on dwindling space. Thus, urban development is the challenge of the 21st century for development cooperation. In the "Millennium of the Cities" urban centres have to operate economically, fight poverty through sustainable development and protect the environment and the climate.
The foremost objective is to improve the living conditions of the poor urban population. KfW Entwicklungsbank supports providing clean and affordable potable water to city dwellers, treating sewage, disposing solid waste in an environmentally sound manner and expanding public transportation systems in a climate friendly way. KfW Entwicklungsbank as well supports municipal administrations in their management tasks, housing development, conflict prevention in slum areas and in renovating or developing whole urban quarters. Between 2006 and 2010 KfW Entwicklungsbank has committed around 3.1 billion euros for urban development.
Further Information
- Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)
- UN-Habitat
- Cities Development Initiative for Asia (CDIA)
- Cities Alliance (CA)
- Metropolis
- Slumdwellers International (SDI)
- United Cities and Local Governments
Last updated: July 2011
