Cities have moved to the forefront of global socio-economic change. Globalisation and democratisation have increased their importance in relation to sustainable development. Half of the world’s population is now living in urban areas and the other half is increasingly dependent upon cities for economic, social and political progress.

Urban areas undeniably pose potential threats to sustainable development. With responsible decision-making, however, cities also hold promising opportunities for social and economic advancement and for environmental improvements at local, national, and global levels.