Urban Development
Designing and influencing urban spaces that equitably connect people and opportunities

WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities’ urban development practice helps to build more holistic infrastructure for cities by emphasizing sustainable and equitable integrated transport, land-use planning, and urban design. This approach allows us to influence on-the-ground planning, related policies, financing and implementation. Our innovative research and practice bridges processes and policies through transit-led development to achieve sustainable communities that are liveable, compact and safe for all.

We help cities respond to the needs of all citizens, creating a more climate-resilient and accessible built environment. Cities designed with these principles in mind can provide safer, healthier, and more fulfilling lives for all their residents. In turn, these cities can reap the social, economic and environmental benefits of sustainable urban development.

Urban Development Facts

  1. The world's population is expected to grow by 1.4 billion people by 2030. The World Bank projects that 96 percent of this growth will take place within cities in the developing world.
  2. Latin America was the first region in the world to reach a majority urban population, hitting the 50 percent mark in 1960. Today, almost 80 percent of Latin Americans live in cities.
  3. Since launching in Gurgaon, India in November 2013, car-free Raahgiri Days have spread to New Delhi, Ludhiana, Bhopal, and Navi Mumbai. Ten more cities are slated to launch their own Raahgiri Days in 2015.

Experts

staff

  • Robin King
    Director, Knowledge Capture and Collaboration

  • Pablo Lazo
    Acting Director of Urban Development, WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities

  • Anne Maassen
    Senior Manager, Urban Transformation Insights & Partnerships / Global Lead, WRI Ross Center Prize for Cities

  • Merve Aki
    Urban Mobility Manager, WRI Türkiye Sustainable Cities

  • Henrique Evers
    Urban Development Manager, WRI Brasil Ross Center for Sustainable Cities

  • Ariadne Samios
    Active Mobility Senior Analyst, WRI Brasil Ross Center for Sustainable Cities

  • Laura Azeredo
    Urban Development Analyst, WRI Brasil Ross Center for Sustainable Cities

  • Luana Betti
    Urban Economics Specialist, WRI Brasil Ross Center for Sustainable Cities

  • Lara Caccia
    Urban Development Specialist, WRI Brasil Ross Center for Sustainable Cities

  • Bruno Incau
    Regional Coordinator for Urban Development

News

Publications

Urban Development Projects

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