Three World Bank urban specialists make a compelling argument for urban regeneration. According to Sameh Wahba, Valerie-Joy Santos and Rodica Tomescu-Olariu, around one billion people currently live in overpopulated slums to be close to jobs.
To help cities address the rising demand for land, existing urban cores – particularly underused or disinvested land – should be regenerated and revitalised. Such regeneration strategies could include constructing new parks and civic space, repurposing underutilized ports and other former industrial sites, and even developing or relocating existing government assets, such as courthouses or ministry headquarters.
According to the blog post, the higher density that would result from urban regeneration would stimulate economic growth and social integration. Higher density would also encourage cities to adopt transit-friendly strategies, which in turn would lower carbon emissions and reduce pollution.
The World Bank urban specialists have produced a video explaining how urban regeneration can catalyze the development of more sustainable and inclusive cities.
