Supporting sustainable urbanization

Urbanization is an essential element of economic development. Cities and towns constitute a country's economic, social and cultural backbone, provide economies of scale, and attract the skills and knowledge needed to push development to a higher level.

In China, the trend toward urbanization has been both remarkable and challenging. Remarkable, for the sheer speed at which it has occurred, and challenging for the many problems that are accompanying it: environmental degradation, inadequacy of municipal and social services, and increasing inequality, to name just a few.

A recent study by the Asian Development Bank and the National Development and Reform Commission estimates that cities in China will grow by about 15 million people each year and by a total of 230 million over the next 15 years. That's equivalent to adding nearly the entire population of Indonesia today.