Our urban future

In recent years, new approaches to urban planning and development have generated some optimism that the failure of earlier strategies to address the overwhelming problems entailed can be overcome. The author seeks out those innovative approaches that have actually worked in various large cities in India, Pakistan, Egypt, Indonesia and elswhere. He identifies effective urban practices that are socially equitable, ecologically sustainable, economically viable and replicable. All of them share a commitment to the genuine participation of the poor in the urban development process, starting right from the planning and design stages. (Adapt� du r�sum� de l'�diteur).