USAID Launches New City-Pairing Program

As global population peaks at 7 billion people, cities are increasingly growing in number and size, making urban environments critical points for social, economic and environmental interventions.  Urban population growth, primarily in secondary cities, is expected to lead to more than 5 billion persons living in urban areas by 2025.  Ninety percent of that growth will occur in developing countries, compounding demands for water, food, energy and services in cities.  Asia currently has the greatest number of urban dwellers with the urban poor constituting 504.2 million persons.  Africa will eventually catch up, as the continent has the greatest rate of urban growth, with most of that growth taking place in slums.  Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest percentage, approximately 70%, of urban dwellers living in slums.   Urban environments also account for approximately 70% of energy consumption and 80% of global carbon emissions.   Human, capital, and natural resource challenges will continue to grow in light of population and urbanization trends, creating a need for a greater focus on developmental issues in the urban context.

Building upon previous programmatic experiences, USAID has launched a new five-year City Partnership Program known as CityLinks to address urban challenges to climate change, as well as related issues of food security, health and public infrastructure.  By working with the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), www.icma.org, USAID will offer cities around the world the opportunity to learn from technical experts and local officials from the U.S. and other countries through study visits, peer-learning, best practice exchanges and technology transfers.  Tailored city programs may include, but are not limited to, developing integrated systems for disaster preparedness/resiliency; improving urban infrastructure operations; promoting sustainable land use planning; and, enhancing delivery of services such as energy, transport, water, and health.    USAID’s Urban Program Team aims to bring greater attention to urban issues within the Agency as well as underscore the integrated nature of climate, economic, environmental and social concerns within the urban agenda.  

For additional information please contact:  Helen Santiago Fink – Urban Climate Change Advisor, EGAT/I&E, Washington, DC 

Email: hsantiagofink@usaid.gov

Phone: 202.712.1025