As urbanization progresses at a remarkable pace, policy makers and analysts come to understand and agree on key features that will make this process more efficient and inclusive, leading to gains in the welfare of citizens. Drawing on insights from economic geography and two centuries of experience in developed countries, the World Bank's World Development Report 2009: Reshaping Economic Geography emphasizes key aspects that are fundamental to ensuring an efficient rural-urban transformation. Critical among these are land, as the most important resource, and well-functioning land markets. Regardless of the stage of urbanization, flexible and forward-looking institu- ons that help the efficient functioning of land markets are the bedrock of succe- ful urbanization strategies. In particular, institutional arrangements for allocating land rights and for managing and regulating land use have significant implica- ons for how cities deliver agglomeration economies and improve the welfare of their residents. Property rights, well-functioning land markets, and the management and servicing of land required to accommodate urban expansion and provide trunk infrastructure are all topics that arise as regions progress from incipient urbani- tion to medium and high density.

As urbanization progresses at a remarkable pace, policy makers and analysts come to understand and agree on key features that will make this process more efficient and inclusive, leading to gains in the welfare of citizens. Drawing on insights from economic geography and two centuries of experience in developed countries, the World Bank's World Development Report 2009: Reshaping Economic Geography emphasizes key aspects that are fundamental to ensuring an efficient rural-urban transformation. Critical among these are land, as the most important resource, and well-functioning land markets. Regardless of the stage of urbanization, flexible and forward-looking institu- ons that help the efficient functioning of land markets are the bedrock of succe- ful urbanization strategies. In particular, institutional arrangements for allocating land rights and for managing and regulating land use have significant implica- ons for how cities deliver agglomeration economies and improve the welfare of their residents. Property rights, well-functioning land markets, and the management and servicing of land required to accommodate urban expansion and provide trunk infrastructure are all topics that arise as regions progress from incipient urbani- tion to medium and high density.

This volume comprises a collection of papers prepared and presented at the World Bank's Fifth Urban Research Symposium, as part of the World Bank Group's strategy to share and encourage research oriented to urban issues and bridge these academic results with the pressing needs of developing cities. The selected papers included in this book combine robust analytical pieces and theoretical insights with best practices from around the world. Specific case studies include New Orleans in the context of a fragile environment, a framework to include poverty aspects in the cities and climate change discussion, a contribution to measure the impact of cities and their GHG emissions. Cities and Climate Change is the first title in the World Bank's new Urban Development Series.The Series discusses the challenge of urbanization and what it will mean for developing countries in the decades ahead, and aims to delve more substantively into the core issues framed by the World Bank's 2009 Urban Strategy, Systems of Cities: Harnessing Urbanization for Growth and Poverty Alleviation.

'Connecting Cities with Macro-economic Concerns' examines the influence of local public services on the economics of cities. The relationship between economic development and urbanization is indisputable; less clear, however, are the ways in which cities directly contribute to economic growth and employment creation. Current economic thinking holds that the ability of cities to create wealth depends on 'agglomeration economies.' This refers to the geographic concentration of industries and people which enables economic actors to come together, interact, and become productive. However, this ability to promote productive interaction depends on several factors, one of which is the provision of local public services. The book argues that the quality of local services significantly influences the productivity of a city, and of its business firms. Inferior local services increase the cost of interaction, erode the effects of agglomeration, and diminish wealth-creation potential. This study attempts to assess the costs of inferior local public services to firms. Based on surveys conducted in five cities - Belo Horizonte (Brazil), Montreal (Canada), Puebla (Mexico), San Jose (Costa Rica), and San Salvador (El Salvador) - it examines the complex issues surrounding local service provision, and illustrates how inferior local services affect firms and, in turn, the ability of firms to contribute to wealth.

This volume examines wide-ranging issues confronting cites, and reviews tools, strategies and practices to address them. It examines nine 'windows' of urban management in the context of the new urban strategy of the World Bank. The book recognizes that cities are crucial in efforts to address poverty and development issues. It combines theoretical discussions of new, fundamental principles of urban management with practical discussions that show how concepts are translated into policy tools and strategies. Chapter 1 discusses the forces of globalization and how these affect cities in general and metropolitan management and governance in particular. Chapter 2 introduces the elements of strategic planning and evaluates successful experiences in city strategy and governance. In light of decentralization, chapter 3 analyzes subnational financial management, particularly its technical, participatory, and political aspects. Chapter 4 deals with revenue raising issues and approaches. Chapter 5 considers private sector involvement in provision of public services, using case studies of public-private partnerships. Chapter 6 discusses the role of land and real estate markets in urban development, and explains why and how local governments should intervene in their operations. Urban poverty is the focus of chapter 7, with examples of how it is addressed. Chapter 8 analyzes problems of the urban environment and preconditions for successful environmental management, with specific urban cases. Chapter 9 examines the relationship between transportation and metropolitan growth, and how to deal with urban transport problems.