Urban and rural transformation

The global proportion of the urban population has risen dramatically from 13% in 1900 to 50% today. It is projected that by 2050, over 6 billion people – two-thirds of humanity – will be living in towns and cities. With regard to future trends, it is estimated that more than 90% of urban growth will occur in developing countries, with the fastest growing cities located in Africa. This poses immense challenges to rural and urban dwellers, the environment and social cohesion. The rapid and unplanned expansion of slums in urban and peri-urban areas often occurs in an environment lacking good governance. Usually, there is no corresponding expansion of public services, facilities and job opportunities. If this is not addressed, continued urbanisation will result in increasing urban poverty, inequality, insecurity and conflict.

The other side of the coin to urbanisation is equally rapid rural transformation. The rural sector faces the challenges to satisfy the demand of a generally young, rapidly growing, ever more urban population. Within an environment of changing climate and opening-up of markets, it is important to create employment and to reduce poverty in the rural environment. Providing adequate infrastructure and services to large, less densely populated rural areas is by far more challenging than in urban environments and requires innovative technological and institutional solutions.

Urban and rural transformation Both challenges, urban and rural transformation, cannot be separated and have to be approached in an integrated manner. Furthermore, they are both highly interlinked with resource use and the entire food chain.

List of research projects related to urban and rural transformation conducted by members of the North-South Centre »»

NB: Projects that are part of a North-South Centre managed programme have a
reference to their detailed description on the respective page of the Annual Report 2010.