Featured Article

Urbanization and Infrastructure: How Urban Development Drives Economic Growth

Katherine Aug 06, 2026

Key Drivers Behind Urbanization

Urbanization and Infrastructure How Urban Development Drives Growth
Urbanization and Infrastructure How Urban Development Drives Growth

Economic development also drives urbanization through infrastructure investment. Governments and private investors concentrate spending on transportation networks, communication systems, power grids, and water systems in urban areas, where these investments serve the largest number of people.

What Is Green Infrastructure Green Infrastructure Ontario
What Is Green Infrastructure Green Infrastructure Ontario

Explore how urbanization shapes infrastructure development , the challenges of rapid city growth , and strategies for building sustainable, resilient cities.

Urbanization and Infrastructure

The Value of Incorporating Nature in Urban Infrastructure Planning
The Value of Incorporating Nature in Urban Infrastructure Planning

Urbanization and Infrastructure The world is rapidly urbanizing, with 70 percent of the global population expected to live in cities by 2050. Cities in low-income and lower-middle-income countries have had the highest urban population growth in recent decades.

Specifically, it investigates how urbanization drives environmental degradation, the role of infrastructure investment in exacerbating or mitigating these effects, and the potential moderating influence of infrastructure development on the urbanization -environment nexus.

5 Advantages Of Sustainable Infrastructure Development The Pinnacle List
5 Advantages Of Sustainable Infrastructure Development The Pinnacle List

Rising infrastructure inequalities accompany urbanization and economic ...

This study examines infrastructure inequalities across countries and over time using satellite data. It highlights rising inequalities linked to urbanization and economic development , with greater ...

To scrutinize this context, in this article, we advocate for a shift from infrastructure -led development to infrastructure -led urbanization , emphasizing the urban as the key analytical terrain.

The importance of incorporating green spaces in city planning EcoMatcher
The importance of incorporating green spaces in city planning EcoMatcher

Urbanisation, infrastructure and development

Fast-growing cities are transforming the economic, social and political landscapes. This is especially evident in Africa where urbanisation offer significant opportunities to accelerate progress towards the 2030 and 2063 development agendas. The OECD provides vital data and policy analysis to assist decision makers in comprehending the impacts of urban growth .

However, rapid urbanization is also bringing significant challenges. Cities must meet the growing demand for jobs, efficient infrastructure , and affordable housing, especially for those in informal settlements. This pressure is intensified by rising rates of global conflict, with over half of forcibly displaced people now living in urban areas.

Thought leaders series Building climate resilient infrastructure
Thought leaders series Building climate resilient infrastructure

Understanding Urban Growth

Understanding how cities expand, what drives that expansion, and whether it happens through careful planning or organic evolution is essential for anyone studying urban environments. Let's break down the key patterns, drivers, and typologies of urban growth .

The Making of Sustainable Urban Development A Synthesis Framework
The Making of Sustainable Urban Development A Synthesis Framework
Growing a Green City How to Build Resilient and Sustainable Urban
Growing a Green City How to Build Resilient and Sustainable Urban
Developing a Multi Age Community Towards Sustainability
Developing a Multi Age Community Towards Sustainability
Sustainable Cities and Communities Graduate Certificate
Sustainable Cities and Communities Graduate Certificate
Give women a voice to build better cities Bankwatch
Give women a voice to build better cities Bankwatch
Smart Sustainable and Resilient cities the Power of Nature based
Smart Sustainable and Resilient cities the Power of Nature based
Frontiers in Sustainable Cities
Frontiers in Sustainable Cities
Policy Driven Compact Cities Toward Clarifying the Effect of Compact
Policy Driven Compact Cities Toward Clarifying the Effect of Compact

The Atlas of Global Development presents interactive storytelling and data visualizations on key global trends related to people, prosperity, our planet, infrastructure , and digital transformations.