This report incorporates the World Bank's new strategy for an urbanizing world. It recognizes that cities and towns form the frontline in a global campaign to address issues of poverty and development opportunity. Guided by a vision of sustainable cities that are livable, competitive, well-governed and -managed, and bankable, this study argues that the Bank needs to view the city holistically while intervening selectively, facilitate city-led development process as well as support sound national urban policy frameworks; invest widely in urban knowledge generation, dissemination, and capacity building; and work through strengthened public and private partnerships at local, national, and international levels.