The trend towards urbanisation is can be observed around the world. The United Nations estimate that two thirds of the global population will live in cities within 30 years. This will pose a variety of challenges: road congestion, air pollution, water shortages, difficulties with waste disposal as well as an increased risk of suffering impacts from environmental disasters due to climate change particularly in coastal areas.

by Gerhard Wahlers

Instrumental in Shaping a Global Development

Latin America and the Caribbean form the most urbanised region of the world today, with approx. 80 per cent of the population living in cities there already. The measures taken in dealing with growth in these new centres of the emerging economies, which will combine an increasing part of the world’s population as well as its economic output, will be instrumental in determining the level of sustainability of global development.

by Kathrin Zeller

Hopes and Challenges for China’s Urbanisation

In 2012, the degree of urbanisation in China exceeded the 50 per cent mark for the first time. This influx of the population into cities is considered politically desirable; the Communist Party of China (CPC) has promised it will have positive effects on economic growth. By 2030, an estimated 70 per cent of the Chinese population will live in cities. This is indicative of a social transformation taking place at a speed and to an extent the world has never before seen.

by Mira Luthe

Historically Divided between Rich and Poor

Two decades on from the end of apartheid, South Africa remains ethnically divided where the distribution of wealth is concerned. A larger black middle class is definitely capable of making changes to this unsatisfactory situation – but this will not necessarily affect the cityscape. There is no shortage of suggestions for solutions to create a more inclusive city. But the last 20 years have shown that large parts of the plans have proved ineffective in removing the historic barriers in real life.

by Markus Schönherr

The Balance of Economic and Social Policy Between Constitutionally Protected Rights and Living Reality

President Correa’s leadership and economic policies have increasingly faced criticism. With the exploitation of natural resources and consequent destruction of natural habitats, as well as the disregard for the existence and cultural rights of indigenous nations as guaranteed by the constitution, constitutional claims of buen vivir must be increasingly measured in the future.

by Winfried Weck, Carolina Landín

A Smart Business Model for a Micro-State?

Qatar remains a vulnerable micro-state wedged between its large neighbours, Saudi Arabia and Iran. In the long-term this cannot be gilded by its smart advertising strategy. Long-term success can only be achieved with a labour market that is not dependent on gas revenues and a qualified local workforce that will remain in the countryeven in the event of a crisis.

by Gidon Windecker, Peter Sendrowicz