Cities are increasingly becoming the engines of national economic growth and the magnets for new residents flooding in from rural areas. Globalisation is having a significant effect on cities, forcing them to compete for international business with other cities worldwide and within their own countries. New international political realities, such as the future accession of 10 countries in Central and Eastern Europe to the European Union, is also impacting cities. As a result, the sustainability of cities is under pressure. Decision-makers at all levels are faced with the task of how to resolve urban problems from transportation to waste management, from drinking water supply to the preservation of urban green space. At the same time, proper decisions will not be made without the involvement of experts, citizens, NGOs and the media. To give you an idea of the nature and diversity of some of these pressures, please see our compilation on the most pressing urban sustainability issues in selected parts of the World.

Main issues in a sustainable city Players and users in the urban sustainability game Effective communications