ABSTRACT
The destiny of today's societies is increasingly tied to the evolution of their urban areas. Fostering balanced growth in dynamic urban areas is undoubtedly challenging. Various contradictory needs and actions affect the daily functioning of cities and determine the types of urban space created, as well as their environmental impacts. Rapidly growing cities in poor countries are the most affected by the difficulties of achieving sustainable urban growth. Unemployment and underemployment, environmental degradation, deficiencies in urban services and housing, deterioration of existing infrastructure, lack of guaranteed access to the natural resources vital to urban life, and an alarming increase in violence are but a few of the problems they face.
