Many of the vital transformations required to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will need to be met in local areas and by local governments. According to the United Nations demographers estimate that Asia and the Pacific became majority urban for the first time in history in 2019 with more than 50 percent of the region’s population living in cities. Resultantly, the urban population exceeded 2.3 billion, comprising 54 percent of all urbanites on the planet. The region’s number of urban dwellers is expected to increase to more than 2.8 billion in 2030 and reach nearly 3.5 billion in 2050. Additionally,  1.2 billion new residents in Asia Pacific cities between now and 2050 will have profound implications for the region’s economy and society.

In fact, the urban residents will need green, jobs for all to allow for sustainable healthy livelihoods. They will need affordable housing with transport links to avoid the proliferation of slum-like conditions and urban sprawl. They will also need the necessary water and sanitation infrastructure to prevent environmental degradation. They will require to harness the potential of digital innovations. Urban and territorial planning frameworks will need to be designed and strengthened to support consequential densification and livability standards. Urbanization in the Asia-Pacific region is appearing through three processes migration, population growth of cities, and the reclassification of rural land into urban settlements.