The search for solutions to urban and social problems prompted by informal settlements is gaining importance in the development agenda of most large cities in Latin America. Nearly 60 percent of the population lives in informal, often centrally located settlements.

This book is based on a conference entitled "Regional Public Goods and Regional Development Assistance", held in Washington, D.C. on November 6-7, 2002. It examines how the IDB and the ADB support the provision of regional public goods (RPGs) in Latin America and Asia, respectively. RPGs are...

The cities offer Latin America and the Caribbean their best opportunity for economic and social development. Aside from concentrating on more than two thirds of the population, it is estimated that urban activities will generate more than 75 percent of the expected growth of the Gross Domestic...