Just when we think we’re getting hang of this extreme poverty malarkey, another report lands at our feet that makes us completely re-evaluate our strategy. 

This week’s UN report ‘World Urbanization Prospects’, to mark World Population Day, has done just that. Its headline grabbing figures pose some great new challenges to the development sector and, not unlike Climate Change, require immediate attention even if the impact won’t be felt for some time. 

In 2009 most of the world’s population lived in rural areas. So it’s difficult to get your head around the idea that in under 40 years, 6 billion of the world’s people will live in urban areas. And that’s not down to pure population growth either. That will, the UN report asserts, be two thirds of the world. 

Take a cursory look at some of our current challenges - quality education, disease, illiteracy and poor sanitation - and it’s not a stretch to assume these things could only worsen from a steep rise in the urban population. So we’re faced with a dual challenge – quicken our efforts to solve some of the current problems whilst equally investing in those very real challenges we know will create more serious problems in the future. 

And in a time of economic austerity and skepticism of political systems, that’s no mean feat. 

Or perhaps that assumption is wrong. Some experts argue that urbanisation in lower and middle income countries could offer opportunities to provide crucial services like health and education in more economically and in some cases, environmentally, efficient ways. Investing in transport and housing expansion as well as creating better electricity, water and sanitation systems is often cheaper in urban areas. 

Either way, what we do know is that sharp growth of our urban areas will present significant and unique urban population challenges, particularly for the world’s poorest. In fact, current predictions suggest that 90% of the overall growth will occur in Africa and Asia. 

So what are the policy implications of all this? 

1.Whatever the new investment or benefits that arise from growing urbanization, they must be shared equitably and sustainably.

We know that if we’re to create sustainable cities then urban planning is key. The challenges of cities generating more income, creating additional employment opportunities or expanding the infrastructure of key services are complicated but there is commonality across cities, countries and continents. 

Furthermore, as we develop the new strategy to end extreme poverty, we must make sure that any global resource is shared equitably across the world. And when these investments do come, they must be provided in a sustainable way that supports, not holds to ransom, the future economies of any country. 

2.We can’t stop people urbanizing so we need solid spatial distribution policies.

Previous attempts to restrict rural migration into big cities have failed. Moreover they’ve distracted us from creating evenly distributed cities, and countries. If we create policies that deal with internal migration effectively we’ll avoid potentially negative economic and environmental consequences. 

3.We might need more cities.

Concentrating any mass migration into one or two areas at this scale will be impossible to manage. Furthermore, expanding the number of large urbanized areas across one country can be extremely good for the economy. A more balanced distribution of this growth is needed. 

4.Accurate and consistent data is essential.

If we are to do any of the above we need better data. As cities expand and urbanization grows and sprawls, we’ll need this data to set policy priorities that will ensure equitable and inclusive development. Much of Africa and Asia has very patchy and unreliable data at present, and these are the areas that are expected to urbanise most rapidly in the coming decades.

To understand trends and to off-set future challenges, data will be an essential tool. 

5.And finally, good governance.

Yes, this old chestnut. We need accountable governments, strong democratic processes and responsive and responsible politicians to build capacity, both in human and IT resources to make all this possible. 

As we approach September 2015 and the new framework that will aim to eradicate extreme poverty everywhere, the urbanization agenda will need to contextualise any goals in a number of our priority areas. As you can see, urbanization across Africa and Asia, whilst creating tough challenges, also present with opportunities to quicken the pace of poverty alleviation. But only if we have the foresight to plan for it. 

Stephen Brown, UK Country Director