Confronting the Crisis in Urban Poverty

The challenge of urban poverty is growing every year. It is predicted that over 95% of global population growth between 2000 and 2030 will take place in the cities of the developing world. If current trends continue, the huge majority of those will end up in slums. Tackling urban poverty, however, has had a lower profile than other of the Millennium Development Goals, for example the one on water - despite the efforts of major players such as UN-Habitat. This book makes a case for approaches to urban development that are locally driven and which complement the vast investments and efforts of slum-dwellers themselves. It discusses a range of approaches for achieving that, focusing on practical experiences and clear lessons for the future. Essential reading for development practitioners, donors and funding agencies, academics and students interested in NGO-supported approaches to urban development.