The problems of theworld's cities are likely tooccupy centrestage atthe second UN conferenceon human settlementsin Istanbul, Turkey, thisJune. Some analysts,however, doubt whetherurban issues should assume such animportant role at the summit. "For whomare we building cities?" questions SujitChowdhury, chairperson of the WorldIYouth Leadership Training Summit atCanada's York University. "The benefits oftraditional urban assistance programmes,will reach only 10 per cent of the people," he argues. The World Bank (WB) also agrees with the above line of thinking andbelieves in combating urban poverty byperking up rural development. Consideringthe imminent breakdown of infrastructurethat Third World cities like Karachi andMexico City are facing. the subject ofurban decay will certainly grab most of theattention at the summit.
The Midrand declaration issued recently atthe end of the United Nations Conferenceon Trade and Development (UNCTAD)-IXmeet in South Africa. seams to appeasethe rich and the poor nations of theworld. Reluctant developed countries haveagreed to the UNCTAD playing a role instrengthening its coordination with theWorld Trade Organization (WTO) and othermultilateral institutions.