Barney Cohen
Urbanization in developing countries: Current trends, future projections, and key challenges for sustainability
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
purpose paper provide broad overview recent patterns trends urban growth developing countries last 20 years many urban areas experienced dramatic growth result rapid population growth worlds economy transformed combination rapid technological political change around 3 billion peoplevirtually half worlds total populationnow live urban settlements cities command increasingly dominant role global economy centers production consumption rapid urban growth throughout developing world seriously outstripping capacity cities provide adequate services citizens next 30 years virtually worlds population growth expected concentrated urban areas developing world much current sustainable cities debate focuses formidable problems worlds largest urban agglomerations majority urban dwellers continue reside far smaller urban settlements many international agencies yet adequately recognize either anticipated rapid growth small medium cities deteriorating living conditions urban poor challenges achieving sustainable urban development particularly formidable africa