n 1800, only 3 percent of the world's population lived in urban areas. Now, half of us live in cities, and by 2050 over 70 percent of the global population is projected to be urban. Most of this urban growth will occur in less-developed countries, and will bring with it the many challenges associated with rapid urbanization: informal or illegal settlements, overtaxed education and infrastructure systems, chronic poverty, unemployment, and violence. Despite these challenges, cities can provide new residents with unprecedented opportunity, offering greater access to education, health care, and jobs than surrounding rural areas. Given the risks and promises of continued urbanization, what can governments do to ensure sustainable job growth in their cities? How can businesses take advantage of this growing workforce resource? How can city managers, private enterprises, and nonprofits work together to create healthy, prosperous urban communities? This panel will explore the challenges faced by global megacities, and will highlight innovative, effective strategies to catalyze sustainable employment and livable environments in the urban growth hot spots of the world.

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