Ethiopia: Getting Cities Right

The developing world is experiencing rapid urbanisation, with the number of city dwellers set to reach four billion in 2030 - double its 2000 level. But unplanned and uncoordinated urban development is risky, threatening to replace migrants' hopes for a better life with unsanitary living conditions, joblessness, and high exposure to natural disasters.

In many respects, urbanisation is rational. After all, cities are the hubs of prosperity, where more than 80pc of global economic activity is concentrated. And their density facilitates the delivery of public services, including education, health care, and basic services. Indeed, it costs between 0.70 and 0.80 dollars per cubic meter to provide piped water in urban areas, compared to two dollars in sparsely populated areas.

...

AllAfrica publishes around 400 reports a day from more than 100 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.