Dubai eleven years ago

Dubai today

Some urban activists are critical of the World Urban Forum lll. The BBC ran a story Tuesday on Jockin Arputham, president of India's National Slum Dwellers Federation. Mr. Arputham doubted the effectiveness of holding a conference about the world's poor, developing cities in Vancouver, one of the world's most livable cities.

The contrast between Vancouver and a city like Mumbai is difficult to understand if you haven't experienced both. I sympathize with Mr. Arputham's point. With as many as 80% of the world's population soon to inhabit cities, there are few social and economic issues (or design issues for that matter) that are more important. What is the meta-message the organizers are sending when they hold the conference in a privileged city?

For a graphical view showing how fast cities are growing, go to this link.