Sort by:
Showing all Blog Posts, Publications in Cities That Work
-
Blog post
Urban agriculture: A viable safety net for the urban poor during times of crisis?
One of the most devastating side effects of COVID-19 and the associated national lockdowns is the impact it is having on food access for the poor. Sub-Saharan Africa, with an already fragile food system, where rapid urbanisation and the rise of urban poverty pose substantial challenges to food security and nutrition, is likely to be hit the hardest. A simulation by the IGC...
-
Blog post
Behavioural economics of lockdown compliance: In search of lost time and well-behaved neighbours
There are some crucial insights that behavioural economics and surrounding psychological evidence can bring to bear on public policies of a lockdown. Such insights are particularly pertinent to leveraging humans' 'predictable irrationality' in its design. Applying this evidence suggests that, where lockdowns are implemented, it might be better for policymakers to impose...
-
Blog post
Tendering trash: Lessons in urban waste management from Indian cities
South Asian cities are urbanising rapidly. With this, overflowing landfills and trash laden streets are becoming more common. Local governments and municipal corporations, many marred by inadequate financing and low capacity, are the first to be held responsible for this mismanagement, from which further negative spill overs occur. These can include high incidences of...
-
Blog post
Towards sustainable water provision in Mandalay
The Mandalay City Development Committee (MCDC) is currently making a major loss in running its water system, with a deficit exceeding 50% of their operation and maintenance costs. This is without accounting for the need to expand and upgrade the system, much of which still stems from colonial times. How can policymakers ensure a sustainable future for piped-water supply in...
-
Blog post
Urbanisation in fragile societies: Thinking about Kabul
As part of the Blavatnik School of Government’s “Challenges of Government” Conference, the International Growth Centre’s Cities that Work team put together a panel on identity and legitimacy in Kabul. The discussion highlighted the importance of building legitimacy in fragile contexts, particularly given the emergence of fragmented identities and new networks of...
-
Blog post
Navigating the urban age
Whatever we might say is right or wrong with cities of the 21st century, they are indisputably a defining feature of our age. As much as we are post-modern, post-gender or post-colonial, we are also post-rural. Our existence, for an increasing majority, is urban. Even more than that, our aspirations are urban. This is visible almost everywhere. In the US, people with...
-
Blog post
Urban data innovations: Three cities showing their smarts
Last year the International Growth Centre (IGC) co-hosted a policy workshop in Washington DC in the United States (US) with the World Bank, George Washington University, and the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) as part of the 6th Urbanisation and Poverty Reduction Conference. The theme was ‘Leveraging new data for better urban management and policies’. This year,...
-
Publication - Policy Brief
Setting water tariffs right: Considerations and approaches
Governments must ensure access to water for all citizens as it is a right with far-reaching social, political and economic implications. To facilitate sustainable access to quality water, an appropriate approach to water tariffs needs to be determined that considers various contextual challenges and opportunities. This brief looks at the potential options for...
-
Publication - Policy Brief
Urban mobility: policy decisions for connecting the city
This brief explores key trade-offs policymakers face in improving systems of urban mobility. Drawing on cross- city experience, it looks at addressing rising demands for private transport, options for formalising existing transport systems, and trade-offs policymakers face in investing in high capacity public transit.
-
Publication - Growth Brief
The prospects for manufacturing-led growth in Africa’s cities
Many African countries are urbanising rapidly despite limited growth in manufacturing. Although other sectors could spur job creation and development, much like manufacturing, they need active public policy to support urban connectivity and business scale. Although the growth of cities in Africa has been closely linked to rising incomes across the continent, many...