Today, for the first time, more than half the world's population lives in urban areas.
Few cities are prepared for the consequences of too many people and too few municipal services.
In 1996, the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements estimated that 280 million urban dwellers lacked potable water and 588 million lacked basic sanitation. In addition, less than 70 percent of solid waste was being collected in urban areas and only 50 percent of households were being served. It cuts across all Agency goals and stresses the pivotal role cities play in sustainable development. This strategy emphasizes building strategic partnerships with private business, financial, and non-profit institutions to increase dollar investments in potable water, roads, sanitation systems, solid waste management, and shelter in urban localities. Following are success stories from Ukraine , India , and the Middle East .