Skip to main content

Currently Skimming:

Executive Summary
Pages 1-8

The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.


From page 1...
... As poor countries continue to urbanize, the distinctive features of urban life will have to be taken into consideration in demographic research and the policies it informs. As the demographic trends unfold, the nature of urban life in low-income countries will itself be changing.
From page 2...
... Compounding matters, each year cities attract considerable numbers of new migrants who, together with the increasing native population, can expand squatter settlements and shanty towns, exacerbate problems of congestion, and confound the ability of local authorities to provide infrastructure and basic amenities. At the same time, the benefits derived from urbanization must not be overlooked.
From page 3...
... The panel focused on improving knowledge in six areas: · Urban population dynamics and city growth · Social and economic differentiation within and across cities . Fertility and reproductive health in urban areas · Mortality and morbidity in urban areas · Labor force implications of a changing urban economy · The challenge of urban governance In addressing its task, the panel both reviewed the existing literature and conducted new data analyses.
From page 4...
... The Population Division does an admirable job of producing urban population estimates and projections, but it lacks the resources in terms of personnel, funds, and data contributed by member countries to meet the demands placed upon it. The panel recommends that a critical review of the United Nations data and methodology be undertaken with the help of outside researchers to bring additional perspectives and intellectual resources to bear on this difficult work.
From page 5...
... The international debt crisis hit many poor countries hard, and the implementation of structural adjustment programs led to a retrenchment of government subsidies and social expenditures that probably affected urban residents disproportionately. In addition, high rates of overall population growth, together with significant rural-to-urban migration, have contributed to the rapid and unplanned expansion of low-income settlements on the outskirts of many large
From page 6...
... The scale of the urban economy enables specialization to take place and allows for a broad range of productive activity to develop, leading, for example, to diverse urban private sectors in health services. Through urban labor markets, the economic returns to schooling are established, and for urban parents these returns may profoundly influence decisions about investments in children's schooling and family size.
From page 7...
... The spatial effects are not always focused on cities, however, and urban residents also realize considerable benefit from their exposure to world markets. Further research on cities and their urbanregional economies, as well as the linkages between globalization and inequality, would help illuminate changing urban economic relationships and patterns.
From page 8...
... Many cities lack adequate intracity data, especially at the level of neighborhoods. There is a need to shift the focus of research from producing national datasets on social and economic differentiation to producing local datasets that are capable of reflecting local realities (including poverty lines adjusted to reflect local circumstances)


This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
More information on Chapter Skim is available.