The aim of The State of African Cities 2018: The geography of African investment report is to contribute to development policies that can turn African cities into more attractive, competitive and resilient foreign direct investment (FDI) destinations. Attracting global FDI is highly competitive and crosses various geographic scales, therefore regional cooperation by cities and nations is critical. But FDI is not a panacea since it has both positive and negative effects and careful choices need to be made by cities in their pursuit of FDI, if it is to lead to inclusive economic growth. This report aims to provide guidance on these choices and to facilitate understanding of the complexity of global investment in Africa.
The State of Asian and Pacific Cities 2015: Urban transformations: Shifting from quantity to quality
This report on the state of Asian and Pacific cities is the second in the series first published by UN-Habitat (the United Nations Human Settlements Programme) and ESCAP (the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific) in 2010 then 2011.
Building on the findings and baseline data provided in the 2010 report, and in capturing both rapid change and new policy opportunities, The State of Asian and Pacific Cities 2015 seeks to further contribute to policy-relevant literature on the region’s urban change.
Specifically, as reflected in its subtitle, the report highlights growing gaps between current urbanisation patterns and what is needed to shift to a more inclusive and sustainable urban future, in which the role of the region’s cities is unquestionably tied to national, regional and global development prospects.
State of African Cities 2014: Re-imagining sustainable urban transitions
The African continent is currently in the midst of simultaneously unfolding and highly significant demographic, economic, technological, environmental, urban and socio-political transitions. Africa’s economic performance is promising, with booming cities supporting growing middle classes and creating sizable consumer markets. But despite significant overall growth, not all of Africa performs well. The continent continues to suffer under very rapid urban growth accompanied by massive urban poverty and many other social problems. These seem to indicate that the development trajectories followed by African nations since post-independence may not be able to deliver on the aspirations of broad based human development and prosperity for all. This report, therefore, argues for a bold re-imagining of prevailing models in order to steer the ongoing transitions towards greater sustainability based on a thorough review of all available options. That is especially the case since the already daunting urban challenges in Africa are now being exacerbated by the new vulnerabilities and threats associated with climate and environmental change. Also available in French Version.
The State of European Cities in Transition 2013: Taking stock after 20 years of reform
The transitional European countries are now in different stages of their transition to prosperous, just and democratic societies.As we look at the challenges of the future, The State of European Cities in Transition 2013 offers insight and analysis to inform and enlighten. Also view the Russian Version and the Abridged Version.
State of Latin American and Caribbean cities 2012: Towards a new urban transition
With 80% of its population living in cities, Latin America and the Caribbean is the most urbanized region on the planet. Located here are some of the largest and best-known cities, like Mexico City, São Paulo, Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, Bogota, Lima and Santiago. The region also boasts hundreds of smaller cities that stand out because of their dynamism and creativity. This edition of State of Latin American and Caribbean cities presents the current situation of the region's urban world, including the demographic, economic, social, environmental, urban and institutional conditions in which cities are developing. Also available in Spanish Version.
The State of Arab Cities 2012 , Challenges of Urban Transition
The Arab world has played a very important role in the history of urbanization. It is the region where urban civilization was born and where urban matters have been addressed for centuries. The Arab urban civilization, as it has evolved over the past millennium, has generated some of the most beautiful cities in the world. This publication is the first ever to comprehensively analyze urbanization processes in the Arab States through the review of its four sub-regions: the Maghreb, the Mashreq, the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and the least-developed Arab countries of the Southern Tier.
The report throws new light on current issues and challenges which national and local governments, the business sector and organised civil society are facing. On top of putting forward a number of recommendations, this report testifies to the wealth of good, innovative practice that countries of all sizes and development stages have accumulated across the region. It shows us that sustainable human settlements are within reach, and that cooperation between public authorities, the private and the voluntary sectors is the key to success. This report highlights a number of critical issues – demographic and economic trends, poverty and inequality, the environment, climate change and urban governance and management.
L’état des Villes Africaines 2010 , Gouvernance, inégalité et marchés fonciers urbains
Ce rapport sur L’Etat des Villes africaines 2010: Gouvernance, Inégalité et Marchés Fonciers Urbains est le second du genre que publie ONU-HABITAT. Sa lecture devrait se faire, de préférence, en conjonction avec celle du document de dimensions mondiales et non plus régionales, L’Etat des Villes dans le Monde 2010/11 lui aussi publié par ONU-HABITAT. La présent rapport se penche sur les processus et les grands thèmes qui concernent plus particulièrement l’Afrique, en les illustrant à l’aide de données récentes et d’exemples parlants. Il se concentre sur les villes mais sans appliquer de seuil bien défini aux zones de peuplement dont il traite, le sujet étant l’urbanisation et les zones urbaines en général. Le rapport se divise en sept chapitres. Le premier présente les grandes idées et les recommandations sous sept grands sous-titres: géographie urbaine, croissance économique et développement humain; les inégalités urbaines; gouvernement ou gouvernance; le financement urbain public et privé; les finances des collectivités locales, les Objectifs du Millénaire pour le Développement 10 ans après; et les plus grandes villes d’Afrique.
With rapidly increasing urban populations, cities in Africa are faced with enormous challenges and will have to find ways to facilitate by 2015 urban services, livelihoods and housing for more than twice as many urban dwellers than it has today.
A worrying trend with the African urbanization process is that it is a process rooted in poverty rather than an industrialization-induced socio-economic transition as in other major world urban regions. Africa’s escalating urban problems have received less attention than warranted and now, at the dawn of Africa’s urban age, these need to be addressed.
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