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Sustainable Development

Urban Development

The rapid increase in the world's population and the high GDP in developing countries will demand huge infrastructure investments. To cope with this expansion and, at the same time, deal with its potential impact on the environment demands new thinking and new solutions. We must work not in "silos" but through integrated solutions based on systems thinking. And while technology can help, our society must employ systems that are both cross-sectoral and multiorganizational. We see huge business opportunity—but also a great political challenge—in this approach. Business should get involved because it has a mindset for sustainability and an understanding of its interconnectedness. It also has a combination of technical, financial, and managerial expertise. Business can deliver competitive and effective solutions.


With this antecedent, the WBCSD created the "Urban Infrastructure Initiative" with the vision to create "A world where cities provide a sustainable environment to live, work, and play". The WBCSD's objective for the project is to play the following roles:

Urban Development

Trusted advisor on urban sustainability issues. To lend our unique combination of private-sector expertise and understanding, which complements the objectives of urban planning, in particular through cost-effective implementation and return on investment.

Transformer. To create a vision and roadmap on sustainable urban development based on combined expertise and a benefits-based approach that addresses the interconnected sustainability challenges of cities through a methodology for integrating cross-sectoral solutions.

Activator. To apply research and analysis, business processes, interaction, and dialogue to address urban sustainability challenges by getting business involved in strategic urban planning.

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