IB2015/64 Pacific Urbanisation: Changing Times

Throughout the Pacific islands, urban planning and management remain largely neglected. A few Pacific island countries, like PNG, have tried to better manage urban pressures, but implementation of initiatives has been patchy at best; for example, there has been little action on the 2010 PNG National Urbanisation Plan (Jones 2012). While donors recognise urban centres as major drivers of economic growth (ADB 2012), few Pacific leaders have come to terms with the reality of an urban Pacific and the need to manage cities. This In Brief examines some of the key urban challenges in the Pacific islands, and some promising innovations.