The World Bank plays an active role through lending operations and analytical work in support of countries' efforts to address population issues. This study examines those issues in Asia, home to half the world's population, to provide a comparative analysis from a policy perspective. The book is divided into three parts. The first provides the historical context for demographic policies, including a graphic framework based on data from past population growth patterns and fertility rates. The second examines the cost, financing, and organization of family planning programs. The final part assesses population prospects, including the sensitivity of future population sizes to sharp declines in fertility rates, and the implications of growth for the environment, the delivery of social services, employment, and the demand for urban infrastructure.

This book examines three vital issues in urbanization and democratization: the institutional structures and processes of urban local governance to improve access to urban services; their outcomes in relation to low-income groups’ access to services, citizen participation in local governance, accountability of local leaders and officials, and transparency in local governance; and the factors that influence access to urban services, especially for the poor and marginalized groups. Further, it describes decentralization policies, views of the residents of slums on the effectiveness of government programs, and innovations in inclusive local governance and access to urban services.

First published in 2000, this volume explores how Asia has developed very rapidly in the last quarter of the century and will be a main focus of the world in the 21st century. With rapid growth and development, the urban areas in the region are undergoing dramatic changes. An appreciation of the heterogeneous nature of Asian cities and the related planning practices in the first step to understand various urban development problems in the region. This book is a consolidated effort by prominent scholars in Asian planning schools to explore urban development and planning practices in Asia. The book reflects on and examines some of the past and current challenges, and considers future prospects of urban and regional planning, environment, housing, redevelopment and conservation, and planning education in Asia. This book should be useful to students, teachers, researchers, professionals and people who are interested in urban development, planning and environment in Asia.

A world more urban... The world is undergoing massive urbanization, and is projected to increase from three to over four billion city dwellers, mostly in the developing world, within 15 years. This historic shift is producing dramatic effects on human well-being and the environment. ...but less poor Unplanned shanty-towns without basic services are not an inevitable consequence of urbanization and slums are not explained by poverty alone. Urban misery also stems from misguided policies, inappropriate legal frameworks, dysfunctional markets, poor governance, and not least, lack of political will. Urbanization and economic development go hand-in-hand and the productivity of the urban economy can and should benefit everyone. Living conditions for the urban poor can be dramatically improved with proper solutions, backed by decisive, concerted action. More Urban - Less Poor brings order to the complex and important field of urban development in developing and transitional countries. Written in an accessible style, the book examines how cities grow, their economic development, urban poverty, housing and environmental problems. It also examines how to face these challenges through governance and management of urban growth, the finance and delivery of services, and finding a role for development cooperation. This is essential reading for development professionals, researchers, students and others working on any facet of urban development and management in our rapidly urbanizing world. Published with SIDA

Dr Cheong Koon Hean, CEO of the Housing and Development Board (2010-2020) was the Institute of Policy Studies' 5th S R Nathan Fellow for the Study of Singapore. This book contains edited versions of the three IPS-Nathan Lectures she gave between March and April 2018, and highlights of her dialogue with the audience.Climate change, an ageing population, anti-globalisation sentiments the world over, technological disruption, and social media all pose unique problems and opportunities to cities. Dr Cheong examines how cities deal with their urban challenges to create a better life for their citizens. In particular, what are the considerations needed to plan and develop Singapore in the face of rapid change and uncertainty, given our constraints as a small city-state with an open economy?The IPS-Nathan Lectures series was launched in 2014 as part of the S R Nathan Fellowship for the Study of Singapore. The S R Nathan Fellow delivers a series of lectures during their term to advance public understanding and discussion of issues of critical national interest.