ABSTRACT
The world crossed the halfway mark in urbanization in 2007. Various projections suggest that by 2030, this will increase to almost 60 percent, and to about 70 percent of the world’s population by 2050. With urban areas becoming the source of livelihoods for a majority of the population around the globe, a huge toll on natural resources is imminent. In this context, the planning of urban areas, megacities and their impact on the environment become extremely important issues of consideration. At the same time, the emerging implications for food security and nutrition are equally significant. This chapter summarizes the central questions addressed by the volume, and focuses on the contributions made. Researchers, policymakers and practitioners working on urbanization have the difficult task of understanding and responding to a complex and dynamic set of challenges in this crucial area for millions of people in the global south. Against this background, it is hoped that this volume will help to provide some useful reflections – if not complete answers – relevant to this challenging task in the global south and suggest ways for policy interventions and future research in this important area.
