Although the United Nations recognizes advantages in urban development such as the possibility of new forms of social inclusion, it also warns against certain imbalances.
Inequality and exclusion exist in large cities, often at levels higher than the national average, at the expense of sustainable development that benefits everyone.
According to the agency, urban planning is crucial to prepare for the orderly expansion of cities, to direct investments, to prepare land divisions and to install basic infrastructure before construction.
Experts warn that the renovation of improvised areas is time-consuming and significantly more expensive.
The response to the increase in urban population appears to result in either a long process of capacity building to harmonize objectives and collaborate effectively, or a tendency to address the urgency through infrastructure development without taking the former into account.
This is why the UN is calling for funding for a sustainable urban future for all.
At the same time, it encourages cities to innovate, experiment and learn from each other to accelerate this transition, for example through initiatives such as so-called “sister cities” or city networks.
Statistics confirm the unequal population balance between rural and urban areas.
Until 2009, more people lived outside urban areas than within urban areas. However, around 55 percent of the world’s population currently lives in cities and the level of urbanization is expected to reach almost 70 percent by 2050.
Most of this population growth will occur in Asia and Africa, particularly China, India and Nigeria, where birth rates remain high.
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