Urbanization in Asia is expected to reach 55% by 2030 and 64% by 2050 to constitute 53% of the world's urban population and contribute half the world's gross domestic product. But as cities swell, they also struggle with environmental degradation, traffic congestion, inadequate urban infrastructure, and lack of basic civic services. This manual prepared by Urban Sector Group of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) provides guidelines for conducting rapid urban assessments. It is guided by the Urban Operational Plan 2012-2020 which outlines ADB's support to its members in developing their urban economies through the 3E approach (Economy, Environment, and Equity). It presents a framework providing a context for the city-level 3E tool kits (Tool Kit for Rapid Economic Assessment, Planning, and Development of Cities in Asia; Green City Development Tool Kit; and Enabling Inclusive Cities: Tool Kit for Inclusive Urban Development).

This publication details the rapid assessment of the urban sector in Georgia to understand key urbanization trends and patterns of growth and to analyze challenges and opportunities. It gives a snapshot of the state of urban affairs at the national level with an urbanization profile, governance and urban management profile, capacity needs assessment, urban finance matrix, and a “3E” assessment covering economic, environmental, and social equity profiles. This document is not a strategy but the basis for developing a national urban strategy and road map for integrated investments to maximize development impact.

This publication helps guide investment planning and financing across key urban infrastructure sectors of Azerbaijan to improve the performance of cities---with a focus on economy, equity, and environment. The National Urban Assessment for Azerbaijan is among a series prepared by the Asian Development Bank for selected developing countries under its Urban Operational Plan 2012–2020).

This publication is a result of a 2-year innovative, exploratory, and reflective study of cities as unique urban spaces that support life, work, and play. It responds to major issues that affect the quality of life of urban residents. This publication offers practical ways on how urban managers, urban practitioners, businesspeople, and citizens can engage to make cities more livable by building on their distinctive physical, social, cultural, and economic characteristics. With the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals by the United Nations, the book comes at the right time to offer integrated urban development solutions that can translate global development commitments into urban-level actions to achieve livable cities.

This tool kit presents an integrated approach to inclusive urban development and was prepared for ADB staff and their partners to engage in inclusive urban development programming and implementation as an integral component of ADB’s lending programs. It presents methods to gather required information on a particular context and location for inclusive urban development; to decide priorities; and to plan, design, and implement inclusive urban projects. The operational focus is provided by practical guidelines and criteria for inclusive urban development projects and is designed to stimulate innovation in the solution and approaches that define inclusive urban development projects.

Futures thinking and foresight is a powerful planning approach that can help Asia and the Pacific countries meet economic, political, social, and environmental and climate change challenges. This publication shows how the Asian Development Bank (ADB) piloted this approach to understand entry points to support transformational change in the region. It compiles lessons from an ADB initiative to apply futures and foresight tools in Armenia, Cambodia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, the People's Republic of China, the Philippines, and Timor-Leste. Futures terminology is introduced as are specific tools such as emerging issues analysis, scenario planning, and backcasting. It also describes how futures and foresight tools were applied in the countries.

Inefficient and uncompetitive cities inhibit economic growth and inclusive development. Integrated urban planning will help stem the decline of Asian and Pacific cities, spelling the difference between a future of gloom or glory in the region. The technical assistance Establishing the Future Cities Program in the Asia and Pacific Region identifies new approaches, particularly the Future Cities approach, to address the challenges of urbanization. The program reviewed the entire ecosystem of how to develop livable cities and served as a testing ground for new or improved solutions. This publication captures insights from work in six pilot cases in Tbilisi, Mandalay, Greater Suva Area, Ulaanbaatar, Makassar, and Bandung.

The Philippines is a highly urbanized nation. About half the population lives in cities. The government has prioritized the development of urban economies in the country while at the same time improving environmental sustainability and making pro-poor investments. This provides an opportunity for other developing countries in Asia to learn from the experiences of policy makers in the Philippines. This publication provides a framework and toolkit for conducting rapid urban sustainability assessments at both national and regional levels. This includes developing strategic policy options and identifying targeted investments in the urban sector.

The National Urban Assessment for Uzbekistan examines the progress of urbanization and the development and current state of government policies and programs in the country. It recommends various pathways to sustainable urbanization, including reforms in urban planning. Particular focus is given on economy, equity, environmental quality, and climate change as well as enhancing the quality and reliability of urban services and increasing the supply of affordable housing, among others. The report is also a useful guide for strategic investment planning across key urban infrastructure sectors in Uzbekistan.