[PDF] economic challenges of world cities

What are the challenges facing the future of cities?

The UN estimates that 55% of the global population lives in urban areas – a figure that is projected to rise to 68% by 2050. With few exceptions, cities are expected to become bigger and more numerous. As urbanization speeds up, particularly in Asian and African countries, here are five of the biggest challenges confronting the future of cities: 1.

Why is urbanization a problem in developing-world cities?

The fast and often chaotic urbanization of the developing world generates both economic opportunity and challenges, like contagious disease and congestion, because proximity increases both positive and negative externalities. In this article, we review the expanding body of economic research on developing-world cities.

Are cities the engine of the global economy?

Cities are the engine of the global economy and home to a growing majority of the world’s population. In the face of increasing global challenges, from inequality to climate change, how can cities advance and inform more inclusive and sustainable models of urban development?

How many smart cities are in the World Economic Forum?

World Economic Forum has selected 36 cities across 22 countries and six continents to pioneer a new global policy roadmap for smart cities developed by the G20 Global Smart Cities Alliance, hosted at the Forum