Urbanization occurs in tandem with development. Countries in Southeast Asia need to build - individually and collectively - the capacity of their cities and towns to promote economic growth and development, to make urban development more sustainable, to mitigate and adapt to climate change, and to ensure that all groups in society share in the development. This book is a result of a series of regional discussions by experts and practitioners involved in the urban and planning of their countries. It highlights urbanization issues that have implications for regional - including ASEAN - cooperation, and provides practical recommendations for policymakers. It is a first step towards assisting governments in the region to take advantage of existing collaborative partnerships to address the urban transformation that Southeast Asia is experiencing today.

Drawn together from a conference organized around the formidable problems facing many Asian cities in the 21st century, this collection of papers highlights current success stories and details strategies for providing effective local management under difficult circumstances. Diverse examples from Bangladesh. India, and Sri Lanka highlight the different ways emerging cities have coped with rapid urbanization, growing demand for better public services, and declining financial support from central governments. Particular attention is paid to management success in Ahmedabad and Calcutta.

This volume, published by the ADB Institute and ADB, contains the views, experiences, and plans of Asian municipal leaders in tackling the high incidence of poverty among their citizens through five critical interventions: creating jobs for the poor, building partnerships for reducing poverty, working together to improve slums, expanding housing for the poor, and getting rid of urban waste.

This book explores how Asia's fast-growing cities can fulfil their potential as engines of economic prosperity and provide a livable environment for all citizens. But for this to happen, major challenges that reduce urban communities' quality of life and economic opportunities must be addressed. These include poor planning, a lack of affordable housing, inequalities, pollution, climate vulnerabilities, and urban infrastructure deficits. The book's 19 articles unwrap these challenges and present solutions focused on smart and inclusive planning, sustainable transport and energy, innovative financing, and resilience and rejuvenation.

This volume represents the experiences of several Asian municipal leaders and representatives of development agencies in improving governance and delivery of municipal services, particularly through partnerships with the private sector and nongovernment organizations. It is also a summary of the proceedings of the Asian Mayors' Forum held in Colombo in June 1999.