Metropolitan City Finances in the Asia and Pacific Region: Issues, Problems and Reform Options

With unprecedented urbanization and the ambitious 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, countries will need to engage in fundamental restructuring of governance and finance to address this challenge and realize the objectives of sustainable and inclusive development. It will be challenging to meet the Sustainable Development Goals. In particular, Goal 11 “Sustainable cities and communities”, Goal 1 “No poverty”, Goal 6 “Clean water and sanitation” and Goal 9 “Industry, innovation and infrastructure” require that Governments ensure access to affordable housing and basic services, upgrade slums and provide safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable sanitation, protection from fire hazards and transport systems, with special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations. Even to move in the direction of such goals, Asian and Pacific countries must find ways to provide public services more efficiently, to govern metropolitan areas with a better eye toward ensuring equity in the provision of services, and to mobilize more resources through taxes and charges for services.