Urbanization and Poverty - A Growing Challenge
In the next 30 years the world's population will grow
by 2.2 billion people. Of these, 2.1 billion will be born
in cities. 2.0 billion will be born in the world's poorest
cities. Over 1 billion people will be born in slums if we
don't do something now.
Why we care...
Few developing cities are prepared for the consequences of
rapid growth. The urban poor are the fastest growing population
in the world. Over 837 million people currently live in slums
and countless others live on the street.
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| USAID's
Urban Programs help provide suitable waste dumps |
There they face an uncertain existance where many live without
adequate acess to water and sanitation, surrounded by uncollected
garbage, subject to frequent violence, with limited access
to education, and without the capital necessary to pull themselves
out of poverty. If they are lucky enough to have a home, they
often live in constant fear of eviction.
Well-managed cities...
- Are engines for economic growth and national prosperity
- Are centers of innovation and cultural exchange
- Will lead the way to civil harmony and global peace
Without USAID assistance rapid urbanization will...
- Strangle economic growth and widen income disparities
- Poison the air we breathe and create life threatening water
shortages
- Deplete valuable natural resources, increase the spread
of disease and human suffering
- Lead to increased conflict which will leave us all less
secure
USAID's Response:
USAID's urban programs improve the living conditions of
the urban poor while protecting the well-being of future
generations. The Agency works to:
- Increase investment in basic urban infastructure, housing
and services
- Generate increased economic opportunity in cities
- Promote safe, healthy urban environments
- Help city governments more effectively respond to the needs
of the urban poor
The USAID Urban Team works with a variety of governmental,
non-governmental and private sector partners to help developing
cities generate broad-based prosperity.
For more information on our work please visit our
Making Cities Work extranet site.
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