Urban problems edit
The 21st century wave of urbanisation has great potential to benefit residents, countries and the planet at large, but this requires that important challenges are met. Some are the same around the globe: For example, all cities face environmental challenges and need to increase their levels of resilience to various types of shocks, and many struggle to provide sufficient affordable housing in areas with good access to transport.
- public transport and traffic congestion
- poor water quality
- housing problems
- degraded environmental quality: pollutes noise and land
- disposal of trash
- urban crime
The important challenges connected to urbanisation may explain why many countries still have policies in place that are aimed at or result in preventing or containing urbanisation. Rather than wasting their efforts in a futile battle against a global trend, national, sub- national and city governments would be better advised to accompany and shape urbanisation to ensure that it results in well-functioning, liveable and environmentally sustainable cities.