Cities

Providing the infrastructure and administration to support large concentrations of population poses a challenge to all major cities. Fast growing cities in developing countries suffer widespread poverty and poor public health but issues such as traffic congestion, water supply and pollution affect cities everywhere. World cities also play an important role in the global economy.

They are often the headquarters of multinational corporations, international organisations and financial institutions. Many are capital cities wielding an economic, political and cultural influence way beyond their administrative boundaries.