Urban Development

“Urban” areas are defined as heavily populated areas with residential, non-residential and commercial properties throughout them.¹ Over half of the global population lives in urban areas, and an estimated 60 percent of the world will live in urban areas by 2050.² Ninety percent of this growth is expected to fall in Asia and Africa.³ While data on worldwide urban poverty rates is not available, in the United States, 16 percent of the national urban population falls below the poverty line.⁴ Those impoverished in urban areas face a variety of challenges, including overcrowded housing, inadequate access to clean water and hygiene facilities, child labor, high rates of crime, human trafficking, sexual abuse and violence.⁴