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There is a growing interest among national governments and international agencies in the contribution of urban centres to sustainable development. The paper outlines the new global agendas to guide this: the Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Agreement and the New Urban Agenda. It then sets out the key challenges and opportunities facing urban governments across the Commonwealth in implementing these agendas and achieving inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities. This is hampered by significant infrastructure deficits (especially in provision for water and sanitation) and a lack of funding. After outlining the commitments agreed by national governments in these global agendas, the paper discusses the vital role in meeting these of city leadership, financing and investment, urban planning and local economic development. Whilst it is good to see recognition of the importance of cities to national economies, economic success in any city does not automatically contribute to a healthier city, a more inclusive city or a sustainable city. This needs capable and accountable urban governments working closely with local civil society, and the redirection of public funds and development assistance to support them.

This article describes why we set up the journal Environment and Urbanization with a focus on the global south, and on authors from the south. It now has over 10,000 subscribers, helped by schemes that allow free subscriptions to institutions in the south. The journal has always sought to engage with and publish practitioners as well as academics, and wherever possible, grassroots leaders and politicians. It has had a strong history of documenting local innovation on the part of local governments, NGOs and grassroots organisations and federations, and providing exposure for initiatives that might not otherwise be documented.

This article suggests that there is little evidence of urban poverty being a significant contributor to environmental degradation but strong evidence that urban environmental hazards are major contributors to urban poverty. The article considers the link between poverty and different categories of environmental hazards (biological pathogens, chemical pollutants, and physical hazards). It then considers the links between poverty and high use of nonrenewable resources, degradation of renewable resources such as soil and fresh water, and high levels of biodegradable and nonbiodegradable waste generation. This shows how environmental degradation is more associated with the consumption patterns of middle-and upper-income groups and the failure of governments to implement effective environmental policies than with urban poverty. The article also highlights how good governance is at the core of poverty reduction and how meeting the environmental health needs of poorer groups need not imply greater environmental degradation.

This article suggests that there is little evidence of urban poverty being a significant contributor to environmental degradation but strong evidence that urban environmental hazards are major contributors to urban poverty. The article considers the link between poverty & different categories of environmental hazards (biological pathogens, chemical pollutants, & physical hazards). It then considers the links between poverty & high use of nonrenewable resources, degradation of renewable resources such as soil & fresh water, & high levels of biodegradable & nonbiodegradable waste generation. This shows how environmental degradation is more associated with the consumption patterns of middle- & upper-income groups & the failure of governments to implement effective environmental policies than with urban poverty. The article also highlights how good governance is at the core of poverty reduction & how meeting the environmental health needs of poorer groups need not imply greater environmental degradation. 1 Table, 39 References. [Copyright 2003 Sage Publications, Inc.]

Este artículo esboza un marco para evaluar el desempeño ambiental de las ciudades en relación con el cumplimiento de las metas del desarrollo sustentable. También considera la manera como éstas se ajustan a las metas sociales, económicas y políticas del desarrollo sustentable y menciona las estructuras nacionales y contextos internacionales necesarios para estimular a los consumidores, empresas y gobiernos urbanos a progresar hacia su cumplimiento. En una sección final se considera el grado al cual las recomendaciones de la conferencia Hábitat II ayudaron a estimular a los gobiernos nacionales y a las autoridades urbanas y municipales para cumplir con esos propósitos.