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Urbanization

Urban world: Cities and the rise of the consuming class
report | McKinsey Global Institute

Urban world: Cities and the rise of the consuming class

June 2012—The speed and scale of urban growth today is astounding. MGI explores the urbanization phenomenon and the impact of the one billion people in rapidly growing emerging-market cities who will become consumers by 2025.more

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Editor's choice

Infrastructure productivity
report | McKinsey Global Institute

Infrastructure productivity: How to save $1 trillion a year

January 2013—Just keeping pace with projected global GDP growth will require an estimated $57 trillion in infrastructure investment between now and 2030. Practical steps can reduce infrastructure spending by 40 percent—an annual saving of $1 trillion—by boosting productivity. more

US cities in the global economy
report | McKinsey Global Institute

Urban America: US cities in the global economy

April 2012—US cities dominate their host economy like in no other region and will continue to be important players in the urban world, contributing more than 10 percent of global GDP growth in the next 15 years. more

The worlds new growth frontier_interactive
article | McKinsey Quarterly

The world’s new growth frontier: Midsize cities in emerging markets

March 2011—Over the next 15 years, 400 cities that most executives have never heard of will power global growth. This narrated slideshow explores them.more

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Building competitive cities key to Latin American growth
report | McKinsey Global Institute

Building globally competitive cities: The key to Latin American growth

August 2011—Latin America's largest cities are under considerable strain. If their performance doesn't improve, they risk dragging down the region's overall growth trajectory. To sustain growth, urban Latin America needs to emulate best-practice examples at home and around the world.more

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Preparing for china's urban billion
report | McKinsey Global Institute

Preparing for China's urban billion

February 2009—By pursuing a more concentrated urbanization path guided by action to boost urban productivity, China's local and national policy leaders would minimize the pressures and maximize the economic benefits of urban expansion.more

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How green are Chinas cities
article

How green are China’s cities?

January 2011—A new index shows mixed results in the country’s push for sustainable urban development.more

Mapping the growth of citiescollection

How big can cities get?

February 2011—This collection of essays explores the challenges of living in and managing ever larger cities.

Comparing urbanization in China and India
article

Comparing urbanization in China and India

July 2010—China and India are both urbanizing rapidly, but China has embraced and shaped the process, while India is still waking up to its urban realities and opportunities.more

India's urban awakening
report | McKinsey Global Institute

India's urban awakening: Building inclusive cities, sustaining economic growth

April 2010—If India pursues a new operating model for its cities, it could add as much as 1 to 1.5 percent to annual GDP growth, bringing the economy near to the double-digit growth to which the government aspires.more

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India's urbanization_interactive
article | McKinsey Quarterly

India’s urbanization: A closer look

July 2010—An interactive map of India’s urbanization hot spots illustrates the challenges ahead. In a related podcast, McKinsey directors discuss how to prepare for the transformation.more

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About this content

The material on this page draws on the research and experience of McKinsey consultants and other sources. To learn more about our expertise, please visit the Infrastructure Practice, McKinsey Global Institute, Sustainability & Resource Productivity Practice.