An Urbanizing World – Global Report on Human Settlements 1996

Summary

An Urbanizing World is a comprehensive review of conditions and trends in human settlements around the world and of the urbanization process through which more than half of the world’s population will soon live in urban areas. It shows how the growth in urban population has slowed in most parts of the world, while the scale of urban poverty has been underestimated. The report describes both positive and negative sides of cities; including how cities have great potential to combine healthy and safe living conditions, cultural riches, and environmental advantages, as well as what is being done to address the problems of inadequate housing and environmental degradation. The main conclusion of the report is the importance of good urban governance.