The time is right to invest in sustainable Asian cities

ASIAN cities have experienced rapid urbanisation, driven by the rural-urban migration of people seeking a higher quality of life and better economic opportunities. A report from the United Nations (UN) estimates that an additional 1.2 billion people will live in Asian cities by 2050.

Yet current infrastructure in most Asian cities is insufficient to support the increased needs from this growth. Substandard housing and a lack of access to clean water, modern sanitation and power are problems that persist due to lack of funding and poor governance.

In addition, natural disasters and climate change present unprecedented challenges. According to studies by the Rockefeller Foundation and the UN, a third of the natural disasters of the last 3 decades have occurred in Asia. Asian cities are especially vulnerable to climate change-related flooding and its impact on both the population and economic assets.