At the edge of the 21st century, cities and towns headline the World Bank's development campaign. Within a generation, the majority of the developing world's population will live in urban areas, while the number of urban residents will double, increasing by over 2 billion inhabitants. Cities and towns are not only growing in size and number, they are also gaining new influence. The urban transition offers significant opportunities to improve the quality of life for all …showed first 75 words of 1233 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1233 total…three years to support city development strategies and scaled-up programs of services for the poor. Enthusiastic commitment by the whole institution to the strategy would significantly raise the profile and effectiveness of the World Bank's support to urban development by mustering a broad internal and external coalition and catalyzing additional funding from partners. Such an effort would be a fitting demonstration of the World Bank's abiding faith in the future of a world of cities