| The world will pass the demographic transition to an urbanized planet sometime before 2020. Beyond their importance in sheer numbers, cities are becoming increasingly important partners in national development and front line agents in meeting the Millennium Development Goals. As centers of innovation and capacity-building, the world's 500 million sized cities-and an additional ten times that number of smaller cities and towns-have great potential to help accelerate growth and speed the reduction of poverty. By the same token, without stronger institutions and city management, national goals can be slowed, frustrated, or even defeated. For these and other reasons, the Bank's strategy for urban development and governance recognizes the need to strengthen the capacity and quality of city management. This task requires enlightened national policy; coherence among public, private, and civil sectors at the city level; and professional urban management.
 With decentralization, democratization, and globalization, cities now have more decisions to make, more money to spend, and a vastly more open political and economic system in which to operate. Other forces at work add to these challenges. Technological advancements prompt cities to compete with each other for trade, capital, and information. To be competitive, cities need to demonstrate market advantages. They must identify and enhance their locational, historical and cultural attributes. Many cities also need to improve their climates for business growth, and offer good governance, quality infrastructure, and a livable environment. As roles and responsibilities traditionally handled by central governments are increasingly transferred to local authorities, there is a greater need for faster and more focused responses to local as well as global demands. Doing this well will speed the achievement of the MDGs.
WBI and cities
Strengthening cities requires an approach that addresses the entire span of a country's institutions, both local and national, that formulate urban policy, regulate city business, engage civil society, and foster professional city management. The learning activities offered through the Urban and City Management theme, together with related learning events offered by other units in WBI, are designed not only to enhance the capacity of cities, but also to help strengthen policy making and regulatory systems of a nation, as well as its academic and training establishment, in order to meet the challenges of an urbanized planet.
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